US reactivates ‘European Theatre Fires Command’ to counter Russian aggression

Berlin/Washington/Kyiv: – The United States has once again activated the European Command, known as the base for nuclear-armed ballistic missiles during the Cold War. On Monday, Major General Stephen J. Maranian of the US army took over the reins of the command and announced that it was active. US sources informed that the command would be headquartered at Mainz-Castle near the US military base in Wiesbaden. The command which was deactivated after the cold war seems to have been activated to counter Russian aggression.

In the last few months, Russian activities in Ukraine and Belarus have increased concerns for the United States and the European countries. NATO warned that the moves to set up a new military base in Belarus, regular exercises and indications to deploy the S-400 air defence system are threatening the eastern European counties. At the same time, Ukraine and the United States are claiming that Russia is preparing for a new conflict with the deployment of 80 to 90 thousand troupes near the Ukrainian border. Against this background, NATO countries, including the United States, have started military movements and activation of the European command seems to be part of the same scheme of things.

The US defence department had set up the 56 Field Artillery Command in Europe during the second world war. Pershing Missile System, with nuclear warhead capabilities, was deployed at this command based in Germany during the cold war times. When a war-like situation had developed during the cold war era, the command had been temporarily handed over to NATO for a certain period. In view of the deployment of nuclear-tipped missiles, this command was known as the leading command among the active and ready commands against Russia.

This command was closed following the INF treaty between the United States and Russia. But the withdrawal of both the countries from the INF treaty and because of the increasing Russian threat, the United States once again has activated this command. The US military sources have indicated that Hypersonic missiles and long-range missiles will be deployed at this command, headquartered at Mainz-Castle. These may include Dark Eagle, Typhon and Precision Strike missiles.

Meanwhile, Russia has expressed displeasure over the US activities in the regions close to Russia. The US and NATO movements have increased in the Black Sea and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that these activities attempt to assess the Russian capabilities and readiness. Shoigu also warned that Russia is closely monitoring the United States and NATO movements and will retaliate at the right time.