East Coast MilGov Naval assets 2001

[Legbreaker]

It's worth noting that besides a few hundred soldiers sent from Omega to the 78th, (it will receive only 800 by 01APR01) there's very little evidence of European troops in the area. Given this either there's still 30,000+ troops stuck waiting around the Norfolk docks, or they've been moved on west and southward as quickly as possible.

The article states:

Although it has dissipated, radiation from the west was a problem for a couple of years after the nuclear strikes. The nuclear attacks around Philadelphia and New York (plus disease, starvation and chaos) killed millions. Many more fled the state, and New Jersey was seriously depopulated. The survivors are relatively prosperous by Twilight: 2000 standards - they farm enough to eat well and even export a bit.
Dietary protein comes from fish and chicken. Goats, sheep, cattle and horses are raised primarily for government consumption. Salvage and re-manufacturing are thriving cottage industries, and pay the taxes in the Milgov protected areas.

Even though the terrible climatic changes aren't yet apparent at the time this was written, it's clear that number of soldiers can't stay long without starving themselves, and those who live in the region. By Spring it's obvious to everyone famine is on the way with a vengeance.