Trump confirms plans to pull some US troops out of Germany

[gozoman]

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pent ... f-germany/

President Donald Trump confirmed Monday he is looking to cut the number of U.S. troops stationed at American military bases in Germany because of his lingering concerns that leaders of the European power aren’t spending enough on their own national defense.

Until now, White House officials had not publicly confirmed the rumored troops cuts, first reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this month. In an impromptu press conference at the White House Monday afternoon, Trump said he intends to reduce the American military presence there because German officials are “delinquent in their payments” to NATO.

[JPS]

480FS of Spangdahlem is on the shortlist according to this article:

https://www.stripes.com/news/how-the-pe ... d-1.632891

[SquAdmin]

When Germany was just about to sign a huge deal for Super Hornets and Growlers from Boeing. Great timing!

[K-9]

As said before, Trumps has ssid such things before regarding other areas where no reduction has taken place at least not in relation to his "words" .
So time will tell.

[witje]

Let’s see after the elections in november

[evhest]

On the other hand, rumours of SP jets moving elsewhere were always around and this is the first concrete mention of doing so.

[zeeuwric]

I hope the Mayor of Speicher and Grafenwoehr are right in being skeptical... with Trump in charge everything is negotiable

[K-9]

On the other hand, rumours of SP jets moving elsewhere were always around and this is the first concrete mention of doing so.

To my opinion this would certainly make sence as well as moving RAF Lakenheath jets. In that sentence Spangdahlem might just as well close.

But again, time will telll.

[gozoman]

Let's see if there will be more than the 22 Republicans opposing the plan. Or can't they do anything because Trump is the commander in chief.

[SquAdmin]

Anyone want to speculate where the Spang Vipers might go? CONUS or perhaps move east to an airbase like Poznan?

[ATCSpooky]

What if it's only US Army troops involved?!

[K-9]

Not according the article. The total amount of personal mentioned also indicates force wide.
Then again there is no real need to keep frontline forces in Germany, moving them closer to the front might even reduce the need for deployments such as the upcoming one from usar.

Maintaining Ramstein and Wiesbaden along with the larger (international) trainingareas makes certain sense.

As for the 52nd Fw Lask could become a viable option. It's in use as such regulary with a det. under command of the 52nd.

But going slightly off topic.

[JPS]

Anyone want to speculate where the Spang Vipers might go? CONUS or perhaps move east to an airbase like Poznan?

US upgraded Lask Air Base in Poland as part of $5-6 billion per annum European Deterrence Initiative. So would be prime candidate being closer to the Baltics and with Poland having a defence budget of 2,1% GDP vs Germany 1,4% GDP... (https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Article-D ... -abilitie/)

[jp 74]

is there something mentioned about the spec ops squadron moving to Spang from RAF Mildenhall, is this cancelled?

[JPS]

Anyone want to speculate where the Spang Vipers might go? CONUS or perhaps move east to an airbase like Poznan?

Rumours are getting stronger that 480FS will move from Spangdahlem to Lask, announcement expected later tonight (21:30 CET) when President Duda of Poland and President Trump give a joint press conference in the White House:

https://www.defence24.com/will-a-wild-w ... ommentary-