General Jones: Restructuring Europe Military Bases aim for speed, agility (Pulling Out of Germany)

Stars & Stripes, European Division ^ | 4 Mar 03 | David Josar

[xzins]

Jones: Restructuring proposals for Europe bases aim for speed, agility


By David Josar, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, March 4, 2003

STUTTGART, Germany — The commander of the U.S. European Command is pressing forward with a plan that could radically alter the way U.S. troops are stationed across Europe.

The plan would mean a general movement away from housing U.S. troops in western European countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom, and to countries in eastern Europe, such as the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Poland — and even Africa.

Marine Gen. James Jones cited Eagle Camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a large Marine military base on Okinawa, Japan, as examples of how bases in Europe might operate in the future. In those locations, entire units rotate in from the States for six to seven months at a time.

The changes “are not revolutionary, but evolutionary,” he said.

Jones, who also is the supreme allied commander-Europe, said that as he visits each NATO country in the upcoming months, he will discuss the idea of creating U.S. bases in Europe that can deploy troops faster and are more economical and easier to operate than the current configuration.

The concept, Jones predicted, should be palatable to NATO countries.

Already, Jones has written to his counterpart in Russia, which falls under EUCOM’s area of responsibility, about the possible changes.

The transformation time table is not set, Jones said, but the “embryonic” process that will decide how the U.S. military will look overseas will be completed in years, not decades.

The transformation would require fewer permanent facilities in Europe. There is no list of bases that Jones or others working on this concept would like to see closed, he said.

“It’s not that level of work … we’re still getting there,” he said.

He also said that he sees a general movement away from housing U.S. troops in western European countries in favor of eastern European countries.

Parts of Africa, which also fall under EUCOM’s area of responsibility, also are areas that could be examined for a U.S. presence, he said.

To illustrate his point, Jones pointed to Eagle Base and Okinawa — which Marines use as a forward operating base — as possible role models for future military operations.

Military units at both bases can quickly rotate in and out, and they rely upon equipment left behind by the departing unit, he said.

Those bases have no permanent family housing, hospitals and schools, because the troops — except for permanent personnel — don’t bring their families, he said.

The military should not be making “mini-Americas,” he said.

Jones said technological improvements now enable a company of infantry soldiers in the 21st century to do what a battalion of soldiers did in the 20th century, and headquarters elements don’t need to be so large.

The military “will no longer be tied to the fixed stockpiles of logistics,” he said.

Any new base structure would be defined by “light ability, mobility [and] sustainability,” he said.

Jones made his remarks at a briefing with about 20 reporters from German, Italian and American media outlets at EUCOM headquarters in Stuttgart.

He made similar comments in February during a conference in Munich.

The topic is being discussed by members of the U.S. Congress and recently gained momentum as some lawmakers seized on the concept of pulling forces from Europe — particularly Germany, where most American troops are based — as a way to “punish” allies for not backing the United States in its stance on Iraq.

Jones said the base transformation plan that he and others are pursuing has no link to political tensions between the United States and Germany, though he added that political climate could speed up the process.

Jones said he expects to appear in March at four congressional hearings at which he expects “transformation” to be on the agenda.

About 57,000 soldiers and 74,000 family members are now based in Germany. Including the family housing areas, commissaries, schools and other support facilities, the Army serves as landlord to some 22,000 buildings and 239 installations across Europe, according to an Army fact sheet.

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[xzins]

What do you think?

[xzins]

European command ping.

Going to cohort system in eastern europe is where Jones is leaning.

[Spruce]

I think a chorus of DOH! just went up from all the small towns and vendors in Germany that made their living off US troops. And a chorus of WOOHOO went up east of there.

[xzins]

Did you read the end about 239 installations around Europe.

The bulk of those are in Germany. Each of those little installations has a PX/Shoppette, a guard rotation, a physical plant. In the army they group them into base support battalions and each of those have schools, medical clinics, housing for families, activities centers, child care centers.....you name it. When Jones said "building mini-Americas" he was exactly on target.

Each dumps an enormous amount of money into the economy in 3 ways:

1. Salaries of German employees.
2. Salaries of Americans (civ & military) spent in the local economy.
3. Contracts by Americans for services and supplies ranging from water to sidewalk repair to drywall to paint.

[longtermmemmory]

Reminds me of a funny situation. In Greece, the government in order to give into anti-american sentiment, demanded the United State remove military bases. The United States looking to close redundent bases, said ok we will close two. The Greek government, surprised by their unexpected success, suddenly demanded the bases stay in order to keep the american military dollars spent locally. (the bases were closed)

[ffusco]

Great- move them closer to states of concern, out of old Europe, and thwart UN/NATO obstacles to use them and save money too.

[Republic]

I am glad to read of this-it is past due. WE are offering protection to countrys right now that do not like us (and I know, we are also looking out for our own interests, being there, but it is expensive, the moves to and from for our troops and their families hugely expensive, the floating civilian work force equally expensive, if not more so.

I would love for our troops to rotate in and out in a six to seven month basis-no families attached. It would save tremendous monies, shorten their stay away from America,and best of all, if our troops are located in budding democracies that understand repression and understand what America represents and WANT US THERE-then GOOD FOR OUR TROOPS.

Our troops bring economic/money wherever they are located-I'd rather countries that support us, friends who are there when WE need help, have the benefits of the US military within their borders.

Let GE and France and Belgium be forced to BUILD and SUPPORT their own militaries-let them suffer under their own budding socialism, their loss of freedom, their identities and their heavy infiltration of Islamic folks. France is already 10% muslim and their entire nation is on the brink of such a radical change their near future generations are not going to be able to sustain their once great chance at democracy.

[Republic]

BTW-my husband worked at EUCOM in Stuttgart (Actually Vahingen, GE) for seven years-88 to 95.

[FairOpinion]

As they say: "careful what you ask for, you might get it", or "words and actions have consequences".

It's high time that the anti-Americans wake up to the realization how mcuh they are really getting from the US.

The East European countries realize the benefit to them for being on the side of the US, while the West European countries, with a few exceptions, think they can continue to bite the hand that feeds them, and we will continue to feed them anyway.

Well, it's time to help those only, who stand by us.

[xzins]

Similar to an old story from a stateside Army base. The locals were complaining about the military in their area...picayunish stuff. This during the days when pay day involved payroll officers, reporting with sharp salute, and having your cash counted out bill by bill.

The CG ordered that all soldiers be paid that month with $2 bills. They flooded around the community businesses, restaurants, gas stations, etc.

The community saw how many of those dollars they depended on came from soldiers. The community shut up.

The general had made his point.

[holyscroller]

Buh Bye Germany, it's been nice to know ya. We wouldn't want to stay where we're not wanted, so we'll be moving on now. Oh, and good luck with your economy. Hope you're satisfied now that you got your wish.

[VaBthang4]

Sounds great to me...thanks for the ping. :o)

[Travis McGee]

Sound good to me.

[snopercod]

Actually, EUCOM HQ is outside Stuttgart, at Patch Barracks in Vaihingen-Enz. I used to work there as a Spec. 5.

[xzins]

Does the article say something different?

If you were a Spec5, then that was a long time ago...70's?

[strela]

While a part of me is hypocritical and would hate this if I were still on active duty, I realize that this way of deploying troops would be a heck of a lot cheaper and more efficient than the way we are doing it now. I was certainly the beneficiary of the "Little America" concept to varying degrees at various overseas duty stations (London, Rota Spain, Mombasa Kenya, Japan, Diego Garcia, etc.), but hey, things change.

(Parenthetical - As a sailor, I sometimes wished that we would pull out of Norfolk VA bag and baggage - would help with some of those "Sailors and Dogs Keep Off The Grass" signs).

Rotating this many people to this many duty stations brings up some interesting questions though. How much more of a hydra-headed monster would MAC (Military Airlift Command) have to become to accomplish this? How many more aircraft would have to be devoted strictly to troop transport? Or do we go back to using troopships?

Interesting ideas in this article.

[xzins]

If you have prepositioned equipment for a cohort brigade to fall in upon, then all you have to bring forward is the men and their duffels and a few personal items at the individual troop level.

The unit will need to bring computers and other command & control equipment.

But the HUGE savings in no hospitals, schools, day care centers, etc., will more than pay for contract aircraft to fly the troops to the new outpost.

[TheCause]

I am delighted that a Marine General is the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. That means me CAN do more with less.
Oh, and by the way screw Germany.

[xzins]

You know, I simply can't remember when the last time a Marine was in charge....if ever. It's generally been Army/Air Force with an occasional Admiral.