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US armored troops drive through eastern Europe to reassure allies in face of Ukraine conflict

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Stryker vehicles of the US Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment roll the highway, during ''Dragoon Ride'' military exercise, in Riga, Latvia, Sunday, March 22, 2015. The troops began the trek on March 21, and will travel through Latvia, The Czech Republic and onto Germany by April 1 in an exercise designed to reinforce America's allies. (AP Photo/Oksana Dzadan) (The Associated Press)

Stryker vehicles of the US Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment roll down the highway, during the ''Dragoon Ride'' military exercise, in Riga, Latvia, Sunday, March 22, 2015. The troops began the trek on March 21, and will travel through Latvia, The Czech Republic and onto Germany by April 1 in an exercise designed to reinforce America's allies. (AP Photo/Oksana Dzadan) (The Associated Press)

US Army's Captain Michael Duncan smiles in front of a Stryker vehicle of the US Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment, during the ''Dragoon Ride'' military exercise, in Riga, Latvia, Sunday, March 22, 2015. The troops began the trek on March 21, and will travel through Latvia, The Czech Republic and onto Germany by April 1 in an exercise designed to reinforce America's allies. (AP Photo/Oksana Dzadan) (The Associated Press)

A U.S. army infantry convoy is driving through eastern Europe seeking to provide reassurance to a region concerned that the conflict between Russian-backed rebels and government forces in Ukraine threatens its security.

The "Dragoon Ride" convoy started last week from Estonia and passed through Latvia and Lithuania before entering Poland on Monday. Dozens of Stryker and other armored vehicles from the 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment are driving down the roads on their way back to base in Germany. They took part in the Atlantic Resolve exercise that shows NATO's readiness to defend its members. They will also be meeting local residents.

Gen. Boguslaw Pacek, in charge of pro-defense actions, said the convoy is a sign to "those in the East" that NATO is strong and united.