BERLIN (AP) – Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday that he would expand the US military presence in Germany by 500 soldiers and that the large-scale troop cuts ordered by the Trump administration had stopped.
The addition of 500 to the currently around 35,000 soldiers is a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Germany and the organization of the North Atlantic Treaty, but also corresponds to the practical needs that the European commanders identified there have had for months. Austin said the additional troops will play a role in space, cybersecurity and electronic warfare.
“This planned increase in US personnel underscores our commitment to Germany and the entire NATO alliance,” Austin said in a remarkable counterpoint to repeated complaints from the Trump administration that Germany is a weak partner on defense and security.
Austin announced this after talks with Federal Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on her first European tour since he became head of the Pentagon in January.
Kramp-Karrenbauer welcomed the announcement as a “strong signal” for a healthy German-American relationship.
They also discussed President Joe Biden’s pending decision to withdraw completely from Afghanistan. US officials said hours later that Biden had decided to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September 11., the 20th anniversary of the 2001 attacks, without the May 1 deadline negotiated by the Trump administration. Germany is an important part of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan.
Austin plans to visit NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss Biden’s decision.
In his remarks in Berlin, Austin stated at a joint press conference with Kramp-Karrenbauer that the additional 500 US troops in Germany would be permanently stationed in the Wiesbaden area from autumn.
“These forces will strengthen deterrence and defense in Europe. They will expand our existing skills to prevent conflict and, if necessary, fight and win, “Austin said in prepared remarks.
“This move will also create more space, more cyber capabilities and more electronic warfare capabilities in Europe,” he added, saying that “it will greatly improve our ability to expand the armed forces at any time to defend our allies . ”
Last year, President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of 12,000 soldiers from Germany in retaliation for what he saw as Germany’s refusal to spend more on its own defense. Austin put this move on hold shortly after taking office. He said decisions about troop levels would be made as part of a comprehensive review of the US military presence around the world, including Europe.
Austin’s announcement on Tuesday is the first concrete indication that it will not implement the Trump decision, which included moving the headquarters of the US European Command from Germany to Belgium.
When asked by a reporter whether the decision to add 500 soldiers means Washington will not implement Trump’s decision, Austin said the Pentagon has “suspended” planning for troop cuts.
The German minister said she had received Biden’s word that “there will be no downsizing as previously planned”.
“Today I received the pleasant announcement and assurance from Secretary Austin that 500 more will be posted here instead,” she said. “This is how it should be between good friends and partners – you give yourself your word and stick to it.”
According to the US Army Europe and Africa, the troops will form two new military units and will arrive in the coming months. These include a multi-domain task force with artillery, air and missile defense, intelligence, cyber, space and electronics capabilities, as well as a theatrical fire squad that will improve the readiness and ability of the armed forces to work with allies in the region. .
U.S. Army spokesman for Europe and Africa, Col. Joe Scrocca, said the new commands are expected to be activated in September and October.
In addition, the US will keep three locations that previously had to be returned to the federal government. These are the Mainzer Kastel train station and the Mainzer Kastel accommodation in Mainz-Kastel and the dagger complex in Darmstadt.
“New strategies and an ever-changing operating environment require more skills to ensure we have the infrastructure necessary to increase capabilities to support our allies and partners,” said Maj. Gen. Chris Mohan, commander-general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command. “We have worked closely with German officials to reach an agreement on the conservation of these areas and we are very grateful for their continued support.”
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Associate press workers Geir Moulson in Berlin and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.
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