ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT — The U.S. is likely to move a warship into the Black Sea and send a small team of soldiers to Europe as part of NATO's effort to bolster allies in Eastern Europe who are worried about Russia's military annexation of Crimea, a senior defense official said.
The official says military commanders are considering ways to bolster the U.S.' military presence in the region. But the official says the U.S. is encouraging allies to contribute more aircraft to the Baltic air patrol mission and beef up military support to Poland — steps the U.S. has taken.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says this country has "to be prepared to deal with any contingency and all options."
NATO foreign ministers on Tuesday ordered an end to civilian and military cooperation with Russia.
