Reconfiguring the American Military Presence in Europe

Jan. 2004 · DIANE Publishing

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As the United States prosecutes the war on terrorism, it is also in the process of adjusting its global security posture. Not surprisingly, the American presence in Europe will be profoundly affected by the U.S. calculations, and hence by extension, so will NATO. It is no exaggeration that the whispered conversations within the Pentagon reverberate within the halls of NATO headquarters, so the ultimate decision has the potential to rock the Alliance, no matter how benign it may appear to the United States. In this monograph, the author examines America's choices regarding the basing of ground troops in Europe. He considers three major options available to the United States - complete withdrawal, annual rotations, or restructuring the Alliance to accommodate a smaller U.S. presence. Maintaining the status quo in Europe is not a viable option, since it does not rectify the U.S. over-extension of forces or accommodate the dynamics associated with the war on terrorism. While weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each option, he does not lose sight of the ultimate objective of NATO - to provide credible land power for the full spectrum of operations. The author has expanded his concept of the integrated multinational division by introducing a NATO 3-3 Force Structure concept that rests on a smaller NATO ground force adaptive to the capabilities and wealth of member states; increases interoperability (technologically and procedurally); and supports the expeditionary force structure already in progress by the formal establishment of three standing Combined Joint Task Forces (CJTF). Additionally, he recommends the adoption of nine division-sized bases in Europe located at key geostrategic points for greater access to the Middle East and Africa. The author also advocates withdrawing U.S. political support of, and a priori support of, the use of NATO assets for the European Union Rapid Reaction Force. (4 figures).