On the recordMay 17, 2012
The Pentagon has proposed removing two brigade combat teams already from permanent bases in Europe. The U.S. Army would still have about 37,000 soldiers in Europe even after it withdraws two of its four combat brigades, which is about 7,000 soldiers. The United States has about 80,000 military personnel still in Europe. There are 28 U.S. military bases--16 Army, eight Air Force, and four Navy. The Coffman-Polis amendment would authorize the removal of all four brigade combat teams. The only permanent forces stationed in Europe would be those that are required to maintain our expeditionary capabilities and conduct engagement with the leadership of our NATO allies. We will continue to meet our security commitment to our NATO allies by utilizing rotational forces. This could be accomplished by expanding existing programs like the National Guard State Partnership Program. Since 2008, the Defense Department, among European NATO countries, fell 12 percent, from $314 billion to $275 billion. Only four out of our 28 NATO allies are spending even 2 percent on their GDP on defense. The United States spends 4.7 percent on defense.…
