In opening remarks, Esper making the case that moving forces out of Germany is good for the alliance and Russian deterrence. That's a hard sell, given all the feedback from Europe about it.
11,900 troops out of Germany. Still 24,000 in Germany.
11,900 troops out of Germany. Still 24,000 in Germany.
6,400 troops return to US, and then begin doing rotational deployments.
2,000 servicemembers to Belgium for HQ stuff.
4,500 2nd Cav returns to US as other Stryker units do rotations in Black Sea region
2,500 airmen in UK will remain there
Fight squadron reposition to Italy
2,000 servicemembers to Belgium for HQ stuff.
4,500 2nd Cav returns to US as other Stryker units do rotations in Black Sea region
2,500 airmen in UK will remain there
Fight squadron reposition to Italy
Plan to rotate Army 5th Corp headquarters to Poland once a burden sharing deal is in place. May be opportunities for "additional forces" to move to "Poland and the Baltics."
Could see some moves "begin within weeks. Others will take longer."
Could see some moves "begin within weeks. Others will take longer."
Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs Hyten says US committed to transparency with allies from these moves. Says he has been talking to his counterparts in Europe over last week.
It's a great question. Hopefully we get a good amount of time for questions.
US AFRICOM and US Special Operation Africa HQ could be repositioned in the future, says EUCOM head Tod Wolters.
On costs, Esper says "It'll take several billion dollars, Id say single digits, but that will be spread out over time. We need to refine that.”
Says some units will move "in a matter of weeks."
Says some units will move "in a matter of weeks."
Sounds like the idea is that everything in Stuttgart (EUCOM and European SOF headquarters, and eventually AFRICOM and its HQ stuff) would be moving to Mons, Belgium.
Hyten stresses that the cost analysis is just "rough estimates." Really sounds like 1) they havent done a deep analysis yet on milcon etc 2) the costs are going to expand.
Q: Trump has tweeted directly that Germany is being punished with troops movements. How do you reconcile it about strategy?
A from Esper: We wanted to look at NATO force, the president just accelerated this process. Still have 24K in germany.
A from Esper: We wanted to look at NATO force, the president just accelerated this process. Still have 24K in germany.
The problem with trying to claim this is a purely strategic move is the president, publicly, repeatedly, keeps saying it's a punishment to Germany.
Aaaaaand we're done here.
Here's our story, with @Meghann_MT at the Pentagon and @sprengkopf_dc in Germany, plus @reporterjoe from Congress. militarytimes.com/news/your-mili…
