House panel to examine U.S. military presence in Europe

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., opens the first in a series of hearings Wednesday afternoon on possible changes to the U.S. military's posture in Europe, which throughout the Cold War and post-Cold War eras has emphasized heavy forward deployments in central Europe, especially Germany.

Senior U.S. defense and military officials disclosed recently that they are considering a dramatic draw-down of troops with a new emphasis on fielding lighter, more mobile units scattered around the world.

Against the backdrop of German and French opposition to a U.S.-led war against Iraq, Hunter himself suggested earlier this month that the military might consider relocating to cheaper sites in Eastern European countries that have recently joined the NATO alliance.

But mindful of the next round of U.S. military base closures, now set to be decided in 2005, Hunter also said, "Certainly, in this era where every American military installation is being examined based on mission and cost, our bases in and across Europe must receive the same scrutiny."

Hunter's committee will also continue to hear presentations of the fiscal 2004 defense budget, with Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force officials testifying Wednesday and Thursday morning.

Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday, ostensibly to discuss their proposed budgets but also to answer likely questions about waging war against Iraq and deterring possible North Korean aggression.