As Americans celebrate the closing of 2025 and the approaching New Year, thousands of U.S. service members continue to stand watch abroad — engaged in missions that range from combat operations and counterterrorism to forward deterrence and regional security partnerships. These deployments represent America’s global commitments under longstanding defense agreements, complex regional conflicts, and strategic alliance obligations.

Below is an extensive and current overview of U.S. military overseas deployments that will remain in place over the holidays, grounded in the latest available evidence.

🌍 1. Middle East — Active Combat and Counterterrorism Operations

Syria — Counter-ISIS and Force Protection Mission

U.S. forces remain deployed in eastern Syria conducting counter-Islamic State operations and deterring militia threats. While numbers fluctuated in public reporting, Pentagon officials confirmed roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria — including enduring units and rotational forces — supporting local partners and conducting defensive and offensive operations against extremist elements.

Troops in Syria operate without a formally declared war but remain in harm’s way; on 13 December 2025, an ISIS-affiliated gunman ambushed U.S. and partner forces near Palmyra, killing two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter.

U.S. air and artillery strikes have continued since that attack to disrupt extremist networks and protect deployed personnel.

Iraq — Transitioning Mission With U.S. Advisers Remaining

Although the large-scale combat mission against ISIS in Iraq has largely concluded, U.S. servicemembers remain in country in advisory, support, and coordination roles. Under agreements with the Iraqi government, a small contingent — estimated in the low hundreds (250–350) — continues to operate from bases such as Ain al-Asad and al-Harir to counter regional threats and synchronize operations across Iraq and neighboring Syria.

U.S. forces there retain the authority to defend themselves and assist Iraqi partners if ISIS or affiliated groups show signs of resurgence.

Yemen & Red Sea — Naval and Air Operations Against Houthi Threats

There is no established U.S. ground base in Yemen, but American naval and air forces are actively engaging in operations aimed at Houthi ballistic and drone threats that endanger freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This ongoing campaign has included intercepting missiles and drones launched toward commercial and coalition vessels, and U.S. strikes to degrade Houthi offensive capabilities.

Recent years saw expanded multi-domain operations in the region to protect maritime trade and reassure partners, and these operations continue into the holiday period.

🐘 2. Africa — Counterterrorism and Strategic Presence

Somalia — Counter-Al-Shabab Mission

In Somalia, U.S. forces remain engaged in a counterterrorism mission against al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked extremist group that conducts assassinations, bombings, and guerrilla attacks. U.S. special operations personnel are deployed alongside Somali forces, providing critical support, training, and enabling airstrike capabilities.

Estimates place several hundred U.S. troops in Somalia as part of this mission, with operations ongoing as al-Shabab continues to pose a regional security threat.

West Africa — Surveillance and Intelligence Missions

The United States has increased surveillance missions over parts of West Africa in late 2025 — for example, conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria to support intelligence tracking of violent extremist organizations and enhance partner responses.

These missions do not involve large combat deployments but constitute continuing U.S. military activity in the region aimed at terrorism monitoring and regional stabilization.

🇪🇺 3. Europe — Deterrence and NATO Commitments

Permanent and Rotational Forces Across Europe

U.S. forces remain widely deployed throughout Europe as part of NATO’s collective defense posture and deterrence efforts in response to Russian aggression and broader regional instability.

As of 2025, approximately 65,000 U.S. troops are permanently stationed in Europe, with additional rotational forces often training with allied militaries. These include substantial contingents in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, Romania, Spain, and the Baltics.

This European presence ensures rapid response capacity and interoperable defense alongside NATO partners and will continue through the holiday period.

🇯🇵 4. Indo-Pacific — Longstanding Forward Basing

Japan and South Korea — Strategic Stability in East Asia

The United States maintains robust and long-term troop deployments in the Indo-Pacific region:

• Japan: Around 52,000+ U.S. service members are stationed across major bases, including Kadena Air Base (Okinawa) and Yokosuka Naval Base.
• South Korea: Approximately 22,000 U.S. troops provide deterrence against North Korean aggression and enhance regional security.

These forward positions are central to U.S. deterrence strategy and alliance commitments with Tokyo and Seoul and will remain active over the New Year.

🌊 5. Caribbean and Latin America — Operation Southern Spear and Anti-Narco-Terrorism

Naval and Air Operations Against Maritime Threats

In 2025, the U.S. military expanded its presence in the Southern Caribbean and Eastern Pacific as part of Operation Southern Spear, focused on countering maritime drug trafficking and what U.S. authorities designate as “narco-terrorist” activity. This includes:

• Expanded U.S. naval units — including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and escort vessels — contributing to a regional deployment estimated in the 10,000–15,000 range.
• Continued airstrikes on vessels suspected of transporting drugs or weapons, a campaign ongoing from September 2025 into the New Year.

Though controversial in political discourse, these operations involve sustained U.S. military activity in Latin American waters over the holidays.

🧭 Bonus: Global Footprint and Numbers

Beyond these current missions tied to conflict zones or contingencies, the U.S. maintains one of the world’s broadest overseas military presences:

• Over 243,000 U.S. military and civilian personnel are stationed in foreign countries as of March 2025, spread across hundreds of bases and facilities in more than 80 countries.
• Key overseas basing countries include Japan, Germany, South Korea, Italy, the United Kingdom, and others with long-term strategic commitments.

These deployments support global deterrence, alliance cooperation, rapid power projection, and forward defense roles.

🧠 Why These Deployments Continue Through the Holidays

Unlike defined wars with clear end dates, many modern U.S. military missions are open-ended or integrated into strategic alliances. Deployments in places like Europe, Asia, or the Caribbean are part of long-term defense commitments. In contrast, missions in the Middle East and Africa often evolve with shifting geopolitical threats rather than formal conclusions, and troops remain as long as threats persist or partnerships require support.

🇺🇸 RED FRIDAY Reflection

This holiday season, as loved ones gather across the nation, tens of thousands of American service members will spend New Year’s away from home, vigilant in defense of U.S. interests and international security. Their missions — whether countering terrorism in distant deserts or deterring aggression alongside allies — remind us that military service is a 365-day commitment.

Let this RED FRIDAY be a moment to recognize and support those who continue to stand the watch — around the world and through the New Year.