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http://www.iht.com/articles/88095.html A new strategic basis for U.S. forces in Europe Hans Binnendijk* International Herald Tribune Friday, February 28, 2003 Modernizing NATO -The U.S. Quadrennial Defense Review of 2001 called for U.S. forces to "deter forward," a concept that envisions redistributing forward operating bases and enhancing expeditionary capabilities. Creation of the NATO Response Force at the November Prague summit meeting indicated that NATO would develop new capabilities consistent with this deter forward concept. -Parts of that corps are now being deployed to the Gulf and may not return to Germany. Similarly, the army's pre-positioned stocks of heavy equipment that were placed in Western Europe to deal with the Soviet threat might be moved closer to the scene of future conflict. -Some of these expeditionary forces could be positioned in Southeastern Europe, in places like Romania and Bulgaria, for easier transit to troubled areas. -In a more ambitious effort, one might also envision a combined joint training center similar to America's National Training Center in a place like Poland.... -Naval forces will still be required in the Mediterranean to provide reinforcements for Gulf contingencies. WASHINGTON Recent reports about Pentagon efforts to trim U.S. forces in NATO could be misunderstood as punishment for "old Europe's" reluctance to join America's coalition against Iraq, further complicating an already troubled trans-Atlantic relationship. Washington needs to make clear, by offering a strategic rationale, that this force restructuring is not punitive, but part of a worldwide effort to deal with global threats that affect all of NATO. This issue is not new. The U.S. Quadrennial Defense Review of 2001 called for U.S. forces to "deter forward," a concept that envisions redistributing forward operating bases and enhancing expeditionary capabilities. Creation of the NATO Response Force at the November Prague summit meeting indicated that NATO would develop new capabilities consistent with this deter forward concept. Both the defense review and the Prague Summit set the stage for a restructured U.S. force posture in Europe. The United States currently deploys about 109,000 troops in Europe, including 65,000 ground, 34,000 air, and 10,000 naval personnel. More than half of that number is currently stationed in Germany. One can envision an American force in Europe about three quarters the current total that is more widely deployed and more engaged with the allies. A force of that size would continue to demonstrate strong U.S. commitment for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. What should be the strategic basis for the new U.S. force in Europe? First, the United States no longer needs to hedge against a resurgent Russia, so remnants of the Cold War posture can be withdrawn. For example, the army's V Corps includes armored and mechanized divisions with Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles designed for territorial defense. Parts of that corps are now being deployed to the Gulf and may not return to Germany. Similarly, the army's pre-positioned stocks of heavy equipment that were placed in Western Europe to deal with the Soviet threat might be moved closer to the scene of future conflict. Existing heavy forces might be replaced in Europe by more rapidly deployable troops. For example, the army plans to move at least one of its new high tech Stryker brigades to Europe. Other highly ready and deployable units might also be moved to Europe, possibly on a rotational basis rather than permanent stationing. Some of these expeditionary forces could be positioned in Southeastern Europe, in places like Romania and Bulgaria, for easier transit to troubled areas. Another strategic element of the new American force presence should be to help implement and train the NATO response force. U.S. units would serve as part of the primarily European response force, initially providing capabilities such as lift, refueling, command and control, and precision strike. Implementing the response force is part of a broader effort to help transform the European military for information age warfare. Allied Command Transformation, which is now being established in Norfolk, Virginia, for this purpose, envisions a European footprint including several "Centers of Excellence" in places like the Czech Republic to develop new war-fighting concepts. In a more ambitious effort, one might also envision a combined joint training center similar to America's National Training Center in a place like Poland, where the response force might train. American units based in Europe might train together with this NATO response force at such a European center so that they might deploy more easily in time of crisis. Having such a capability in Europe could become a major focal point for future trans-Atlantic military cooperation. There will be limits to how many U.S. forces can be shifted eastward to implement the deter forward policy. A sophisticated infrastructure is needed, especially for air and naval forces, and that exists in Western Europe. The U.S. has status of forces agreements and host nation support agreements that expedite current deployments. Naval forces will still be required in the Mediterranean to provide reinforcements for Gulf contingencies. Other missions will also need to be accomplished by U.S. forces in Europe. The United States still has peacekeeping responsibilities in the Balkans. New counter-terrorism tasks were assigned at the Prague Summit. And Europe is increasingly interested in deploying missile defenses that require U.S. military presence. A final strategic purpose might be to consolidate and strengthen the U.S. command structure. NATO has just simplified its command arrangements and the United States may now need to review its fairly top heavy Cold War command structure in Europe. Headquarters might be consolidated. The man in charge of this realignment could not be better suited for the task. The new Supreme Allied Commander, General James Jones of the Marine Corps, knows Europe and understands expeditionary operations. By restructuring U.S. forces in Europe, he can strengthen U.S. public support for these deployments and reassure Europe that NATO has a future. *The writer directs the Center for Technology and National Security Policy at the National Defense University. These comments are his own. __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bdn7KI.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. 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