WWII ended 55 years ago.
The Soviet Union collapsed and the Cold War is over.
Why do we need to maintain expensive military bases in Europe?
Why do we need to maintain expensive military bases in Europe? Where would you preferr to spend this money? Let me guess. On the poor? The dysenfrancized? Those who have not won in life's lottery?
But seriously, since we've had bases in Europe, we haven't had to go back and fight any more World Wars.
Willie, I spent 1991-1997 closing most of these bases in Europe. There are very few left actually. When I arrived in Italy in 1991, we had a standing presence of 350,000 troops in Europe, not counting Naval 6th Fleet forces hosted out of Naples (which is huge, but didn't count as this is considered a mobile force rather than permanent party forces). When I left in 1997, we were under 100,000. Clsoed completely was: Berlin, Bremenhaven, Frankfurt, Pirmasens, Hahn AB, Bitburg AB, Zweibrucken AB, Rhien Main AB cut to 10% of former size, and all US presence in Munich, Germany--all huge bases, San Vito, (where I was from 91-93), Coltano, and Cosimo, Italy, Hellenikon and Iraklion, Greece (just about ending our presence there), RAF Upper Heyford, Chicksands, Greenham Common, Woodbridge, Uxbridge, Alconbury, and a dozen smaller British bases, and several bases in Turkey (listen posts and the Ankara area mostly).
My job from 1993-1997 was reallocating electronic equipment to the remaining or stateside bases and turning off communications circuits--I was never busier in my life.
I was Air Force. Lots of Navy and Marines in the Medd. There's no reason not to have different services be in charge of any US command, actually. A marine in charge of EUCOM is no big deal for most GI's.