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As millions of Americans gather with their loved ones to celebrate Christmas holidays and ring in the new year, hundreds of thousands of American men and women in uniform will mark the holidays away from family in decidedly less festive corners of the world.
As of June, 165,830 US service members were deployed nationwide Middle EastIndo-Pacific region and Europe. That figure is likely to have risen amid recent unrest across the Middle East, and does not include service members who work at U.S. bases during the holidays or civilian personnel on contracts overseas.
Here’s a look at where service members on deployment around the world will be spending the holidays:
Middle East
About 43,000 troops are stationed across the Middle East in October, up from the usual 34,000 amid recent unrest and the outbreak of war between Israel and Iranian proxy forces Hamas and Hezbollah.
The Pentagon announced in October that it would move troops to Cyprus to prepare for escalating unrest in Lebanon. And last week, the Pentagon disclosed that about 2,100 troops were in Syria, not the 900 it had long claimed. Another 1,000 troops are in Iraq carrying out missions to thwart IS.
A map showing the positions of US Navy assets in the Middle East. (Fox News)
europe
US forces are stationed all over Europe support NATO forces and deter any possible Russian aggression.
Top deployment areas include Germany (34,894), Italy (12,319) and the United Kingdom (10,180).
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Indonesian Army Training Center Deputy Commander Air Marshal Widyargo Ikoputra and Hawaii Air National Guard Commander Maj. Gen. Joseph R. Harris II inspect military personnel from Indonesia, Japan , Singapore, Thailand, Great Britain and the US during the opening ceremony of the Super Garuda Shield Joint Military Exercises at an Indonesian naval aviation center in Sidoarjo, Java eastern, on August 26, 2024. (JUNI KRISWANTO/AFP PHOTO/AFP)
asia
US forces are partnering with allies in Asia to conduct joint exercises and coordinate to counter the threat from China and
Deployment areas include South Korea (23,732), Japan (52,852) and Guam (6,453).
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South Korean and U.S. soldiers pose for photos after their joint live-fire exercise at a military training camp in Pocheon on March 14, 2024 as part of the annual Freedom Shield joint military exercise between South Korea and the united states (JUNG YEON-JE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin thanked U.S. troops for their service during the holiday season in a Christmas message.
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“We know firsthand that the holidays can be especially hard if you’re away from your loved ones. So for our troops stationed around the world, we deeply appreciate your sacrifice,” he said. “We know your families serve, too, and our military families are the foundation of America’s strength.”
