Here’s how many US service members spend the holidays away from home posted overseas

As millions of Americans gather together with their loved ones to celebrate the Christmas holiday and usher in the new year, hundreds of thousands of American men and women in uniform will mark the holidays away from family in some of the world’s most unsavory places.

As of June, 165,830 US service members were deployed to the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific region and Europe. That figure has likely risen amid the recent unrest in the Middle East, and does not include service members who work on US bases on holidays and workers who are not working on overseas contracts.

Here’s a look at where service members will spend the holidays on deployments around the world:

Middle East

About 43,000 troops have been stationed across the Middle East since October, an increase from the usual 34,000 amid recent unrest and the outbreak of war between Israel and the Iranian proxy forces Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Pentagon announced in October that it would send troops to Cyprus to prepare for the growing unrest in Lebanon. And last week the Pentagon revealed that about 2,100 troops were in Syria – not the 900 they said a long time ago. Another 1,000 Iraqi soldiers are working to stop ISIS.

In Europe

US troops are stationed across Europe to support NATO forces and deter any potential Russian aggression.

Major distribution areas include Germany (34,894), Italy (12,319) and the United Kingdom (10,180).

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The Deputy Commander of the Indonesian Military Training Center, Air Marshal Widyargo Ikoputra and Major General Joseph R. Harris II, Hawaii Air National Guard Commander, inspected the Indonesian, Japanese, Singaporean, Thai, British and US soldiers during the ceremony of the opening of the Super Garuda Shield joint military exercise at the Indonesian Naval Aviation Center in Sidoarjo, East Java on Aug. 26, 2024. (JUNI KRISWANTO/AFP PHOTO/AFP)

In Asia

US forces are working with allies in Asia to conduct joint exercises and coordinate to counter the threat of China and

Destinations include South Korea (23,732), Japan (52,852) and Guam (6,453).

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South Korean and US soldiers pose for photos after their joint live-fire exercise at a military training ground in Pocheon on March 14, 2024 as part of the annual Freedom Shield military exercise between South Korea and the United States. (JUNG YEON-JE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin thanked the US military for serving during the holiday season in a Christmas message.

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“We know firsthand that the holidays can be difficult, especially when you are away from your loved ones. So to our troops around the world, we greatly appreciate your sacrifice,” he said. “We know your families work, and our military families are the foundation of America’s strength.”