USO Support for American Troops During the War in Ukraine

Service members go wherever the call of duty takes them.

Our troops reconnect with loved ones while deployed via USO Wi-Fi and call centers.

Troops use the USO Reading Program to read bedtime stories to their children at home.

Service members unwind after a hard day’s work with USO programs and events.

The USO delivers USO Care Packages – and, by extension, a gesture of gratitude from the American people – to deployed troops.

Service members enjoy a warm meal, even when thousands of miles from home.

In austere locations like Eastern Europe, front-line USO Centers provide service members with a comfortable place to relax and recharge at the end of a long shift.

During the winter, when temperatures were well below freezing, troops have remained warm with USO-provided blankets, hats, hand warmers and hot beverages.

(May 1, 2023) When U.S. Army Capt. Robert Hannon was deployed to Poland, he had to overcome the challenges of life on deployment not only for himself, but also for his fellow soldiers - so they could remain resilient while serving on the front lines of Eastern Europe.

(Feb. 21, 2023) It has been one year since Russia invaded and began the war in Ukraine. In the time since, tens of thousands of U.S. troops have been deployed to Europe to maintain the stability of the region and the safety of our allies. Here is how the USO pivoted to support military service members in Eastern Europe over the past 12 months.

(Dec. 21, 2022) Military spouses of service members deployed to Eastern Europe share their experiences of deployment during the holidays, and how the USO has been there to support them through it all.

(Dec. 21, 2022) What’s the first thing you’ll do when you get back home from deployment? Service members deployed to Eastern Europe discuss what it means to be far from home during the holidays, and how the USO is supporting them.

(Dec. 20, 2022) “Did you bring anything with you on deployment to remind you of home?” Service members deployed to Eastern Europe discuss what it means to be far from home during the holidays, and how the USO is supporting them.

(Dec. 19, 2022) “What do you miss about home while you’re deployed over the holidays?” Service members deployed to Eastern Europe discuss what it means to be far from home during the holidays, and how the USO is supporting them.

(Dec. 16, 2022) “What does the word ‘home’ mean to you?” Service members deployed to Eastern Europe discuss what it means to be far from home during the holidays, and how the USO is supporting them.

(Dec. 5, 2022) U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Traevon Simmons, who has been deployed to Eastern Europe since March 2022, has overcome many obstacles that go beyond his sudden deployment, and seeks to keep the spirit of himself and his local military community high through football and giving back at USO Powidz.

(Dec. 1, 2022) In the months since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the stability of Europe and our NATO allies have been threatened, and thousands of American troops have been deployed to the region as a result. Here is how the USO has supported the U.S. military in Eastern Europe, and how we plan to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

(Nov. 8, 2022) In the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine, many American service members have deployed quickly to Europe in support of our NATO allies. When they find themselves in remote duty stations - from England to Poland - with very little notice, these troops know they can always count on the USO to boost morale and keep them connected to loved ones and home.

(Oct. 26, 2022) Like many deployed soldiers, U.S. Army Spc. Terrance Smith’s deployment in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sometimes been difficult, with months spent apart from his family in a remote, undisclosed location in Poland. But with a little help from the USO, he’s been able to keep spirits high.

(Sept. 26, 2022) The USO is committed to supporting military spouses as they serve their country in their own way. In a small village in the United Kingdom, far from home and loved ones, military spouses know that when their service member deploys to the front lines of Eastern Europe, they can always turn to the USO and their community for support.

(June 15, 2022) U.S. Army Pfc. Brandon Gonzales shares the multi-generational story of how his father used to record himself reading books to Brandon when he was deployed to Iraq; and now, Brandon records himself reading books through the USO’s Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program to stay connected to his own daughter while deployed to Eastern Europe.

(May 20, 2022) As part of a series of brief snapshots from the field, here is a glimpse into life on the front lines for U.S. troops in Eastern Europe, and how the USO is supporting them.

(May 17, 2022) As part of a series of brief snapshots from the field, here is a glimpse into life on the front lines for U.S. troops in Eastern Europe, and how the USO is supporting them.

(May 11, 2022) As part of a series of brief snapshots from the field, here is a glimpse into life on the front lines for U.S. troops in Eastern Europe, and how the USO is supporting them. Despite the hardships of this deployment, service members in Poland have bonded with each other in order to keep morale high.

(May 5, 2022) As part of a series of brief snapshots from the field, here is a glimpse into life on the front lines for U.S. troops in Eastern Europe, and how the USO is supporting them. For these deployed troops, staying connected to loved ones back home via the USO is crucial to maintaining high morale.

(April 5, 2022) An American soldier deployed to Poland in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is using the USO’s Reading Program to stay connected to his little brother back home.

(April 1, 2022) As an Army soldier is deployed to Poland in response to escalating tensions in Eastern Europe, his military spouse back home has decided to support the military by raising funds and running for Team USO in the Boston Marathon.

(March 21, 2022) An American fleeing the war in Ukraine found refuge in Germany, where she decided to give back to American service members deployed there by dedicating her time as a USO volunteer.

(March 15, 2022) For many of the service members suddenly deployed to Europe in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, talking to family is a luxury, as many were required to leave their personal cell phones and laptops behind.

(Feb 24, 2022) Russia has launched several attacks across Ukraine, and tensions along Ukraine’s border, where Russia has amassed approximately 160,000-190,000 troops and artillery, continue to rise.

(Jan 28, 2022) For service members deployed to conflict zones, the USO is always ready to provide support and a home away from home, no matter where their service takes them.