Overview
- Acting Army chief Christopher LaNeve told Congress on Friday that European Command was ordered to cut forces and the armored brigade would not deploy.
- The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division had begun moving people and heavy gear, which left units and planners scrambling to reverse course.
- Polish leaders said their U.S. troop levels will not drop and framed the change as part of the separately announced withdrawal of about 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany.
- Lawmakers from both parties criticized the rollout, with Rep. Don Bacon calling it an embarrassment and Rep. Marilyn Strickland warning it could make the U.S. look unreliable.
- The canceled rotation was part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the post‑2014 effort to reassure NATO’s east, and a NATO official said the move does not alter alliance defense plans.