US plan to cut overseas forces

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US plans to cut forces overseas by 70,000

The US is expected to announce on Monday that it is pulling 70,000 troops out of Europe and Asia in the largest restructuring of its global military presence since the second world war.

People briefed on the plan say two-thirds of the reductions will come in Europe, most of them military personnel stationed in Germany who will be sent back to US bases.

An additional 100,000 support staff and military families worldwide will be part of the realignment.

The changes are expected to be announced by President George W. Bush at a speech to the Convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Cinncinatti, Ohio, on Monday.

Although Germany will remain home to the largest contingent of American forces on the continent, both army divisions now based there the 1st Armoured and the 1st Infantry could be moved to US bases.

Germany will continue to be home to sophisticated training and command facilities and to a mobile infantry force which will be equipped with the new light-armoured Stryker vehicles and is expected to form the core of a restructured European presence.

The Bush administration has been re-evaluating the US military's global posture almost since its first days in office. Senior Pentagon officials emphasised that the move was not intended as a punishment for Germany's lack of support in the Iraq war.

In Asia, the reduction is expected to include the 3,500-soldier brigade from South Korea, which was recently deployed to Iraq.

There will also be a shift of some European command headquarters. The navy's European HQ, which has been in London since the second world war, will be moved to Naples.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/117d14c8-ed63-11d8-a587-00000e2511c8.html
 
People briefed on the plan say two-thirds of the reductions will come in Europe, most of them military personnel stationed in Germany who will be sent back to US bases.
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Well, if we're sure the godless commies aren't about to pour through the Fulda Gap...
 
Tamara,

While the "Cold War" kept public attention - the commies simply invited themselves into the governments of most of western Europe. Most of their political systems proved greater liabilities than the Fulda gap, and those who held out were otherwise persuaded ;)
 
Speaking of the "FULDA"-gap, was it named after the city Fulda or the river Fulda? Because everytime I hear FULDA-gap I look at the map and look for a gap, but can't find one. And if there is a "gap", it has to be a very small one compared to the HUGE gap north of the Hannover-Wolfsburg-Magdeburg-line.
 
Lak,

While the "Cold War" kept public attention - the commies simply invited themselves into the governments of most of western Europe.
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Don't try and snowball me with that "invited themselves" pap, LAK. We all know that the Bilderbergers and Trilateralists invited them in with the financial backing of the Bonesmen, the Rothschilds, and the Gnomes of Zurich, then gave them the keys to the Alien Autopsy room in the FOX studio at Area 51!



T. Stahl,

I apologize for the above. These folks embarrass me in much the same way that the folks in Stuttgart that think GWB flew the jets into the WTC with a surplus Atari joystick must embarrass you. :o
 
It's about time. Since the Germans, French, can't seem to agree with much of what America does in the world, it's time for them to step up. Perhaps they will do it right this time. I doubt if they will though. When things go badly, they will once again call on America to "Molon Labe"! Added: Well, actually, they already are, aren't they? YUP!!
 
Tamara
We all know that the Bilderbergers and Trilateralists invited them in with the financial backing of the Bonesmen, the Rothschilds, and the Gnomes of Zurich, then gave them the keys to the Alien Autopsy room in the FOX studio at Area 51!
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Sounds interesting and exciting. My observations of the political war in europe over the last thirty years don't quite bear that out - but it might sell a few books for you. ;)

T.Stahl,

The Fulda Gap is a geographical feature, an open area originally known as the "Wetterau Corridor". Our 3rd Army used it during WW2.
 
This is long overdue. There's no good reason for a substantial US Military presence in Germany. If we need a presence in that region then we should put a base in a friendly country like Poland, not Germany.
 
LAK,
ok, I found the Wetterau and can see a corridor that leads from Frankfurt/Main to the north between the Taunus and Vogelsberg and then turns eastward towards Alsfeld. Or the other way around if you're riding in a BMP.

Tamara,
what did he say? Did I miss a conspiracy theory?
 
The Dems are calling this move "politically motivated," even though Kerry was complaining back in February about the "overextension" of US forces. Go figure.
 
darn, I was hoping it WAS in retaliation for their lack of support. Ingrates. Serves them right.
 
T.Stahl,

Ach ja; on the east side it starts in the area of Erfurt. A good topographical map shows it best of course. The Taunus; many happy memories in that area (among others) on two wheels!

I was only ever in the former East Germany once - on a job as a civilian after I got out of the AF - and by the time reunification took place I was in the U.K. and never went back over there.
 
The US Army has 5 heavy divisions (and 5 light.) The major move will be the redeployment of the two heavy divisions in Germany to the United States, They will be replaced by one Stryker brigade.
 
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In reality the two divisions currently in Germany are minus a brigade each. The missing brigades are stationed in the US. The current armored/mech division has three brigades.

Makes no sense to keep them there, a lighter cavalry type unit would be more appropriate in our current situation.

We also face the possibility of not being allowed to move German based units to trouble spots if the Eruo wenies are not in agreement with our intentions. This issue came up many years ago and is certainly a consideration in the re deployment.

I believe that within ten years of our complete pullout of europe the Germans and French will start fighting with each other again. The reason Western Europe has had peace for the last 50 years is because we were there in force. Once we leave they will go back to the old ways.

And I lwill never trust the Germans not to start up again, watch out for the green party!
 
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