The Department of the Army announced today the upcoming rotational deployment of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team “Raider”, 3rd Infantry Division to Europe as part of the enduring mission to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank and engage in multinational exercises with partners across the European continent.

Approximately 3,500 soldiers from the Raider Brigade will deploy throughout January 2025 to various locations across Europe to support NATO allies, deter further aggression against NATO member states and train with host-nation forces. The Raider Brigade will replace similar elements of the 1st Cavalry Division in Poland as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the United States’ commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe.

"Raider is ready and willing to take on this vital mission,” said Col. James Armstrong, 1ABCT commander. “We have trained hard, and we have no doubt in our ability to answer the nation’s call.”

The brigade will fall under the command and control of the 1st Cavalry Division for this mission and will focus on support of multi-national exercises and enduring support to our allies and partners in the European Theater.

This deployment will be the second rotation to Europe that Raider Brigade has undertaken since 2022 and will last approximately nine months. To prepare for this deployment, 1st Brigade conducted multiple complex field training exercises, modernization, and a culminating training event at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. Units have validated their training readiness to support the upcoming rotation.

“We are incredibly proud of the work Raider Brigade has done in preparing for this deployment,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, the 3rd ID commander. “They are an outstanding team, and I am fully confident they will accomplish their mission with distinction.”