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Return to Article: Military leaders seek larger-than-planned force in Europe

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  I fully agree with the comment by US Customs Senior Inspector (Retired). We are making a major mistake by not pushing Europe to build it's own defenses. And to Charles Charlton, I believe there's an inverse to your comment: "old Europe" hasn't been a willing partner to a large degree anyhow, time to let them pave (pay) their own way. If the cost of being their friend is to protect them while listening to their non-stop invectives, who need enemies?

  US Citizen Posted December 19, 2007 5:56 PM
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  Commitment to NATO? What about NATO's commitment to itself. For the last 12 months France, Italy and Germany have refused requests to reinforce combat troops in Afghanistan and to authorize their troops to participate in offensive combat operations. The military bureacracy in Europe is bloated with an infrastructure to support families who are left unaccompanied while the troops do two deployments to Iraq in their tour over here. And what about the heavy brigade deployability? During Operation Allied Force the Army had to deploy paratroopers from Ft. Bragg NC to provide security for Tirana Albania Airport because the Army's heavy forces in Germany couldn't expeditiously deploy. Perhaps the solution is to predeploy the equipment and leave the troops in the States. NATO needs to pull its own weight.

  Brian Knoles Posted November 5, 2007 4:15 AM
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  We are committed to maintain a Military Posture in Europe and with NATO. I was in Europe during the Cold War period, and yes we are needed there. You much always prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. Back in the day, we had a saying, Stay Tactical. You can't put out a Major Fire, without a Fire Department, and well trained men at the Ready. "No Ground to Give".

  Claude Lewis Posted October 18, 2007 3:56 PM
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  Pull 'em out! Why are we wasting military might on France, Germany, or ANY European country? Russia cannot mount an invasion, so who's the enemy? Likewise for South Korea, we lost thousands of Americans lives during the Korean Conflict for what? Let these nations protect their own borders, and let our soldiers protect ours.

  US Customs Senior Inspector (Retired) Posted October 15, 2007 1:19 PM
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  Thank God for senior leaders with vision like Gen McKiernan. First hand colaboration between American military personnel incliding their families and other nations and their peoples is always money well spent. There is much more to the deployment of American forces than the bottom line dollar cost. As a veteran of nine years as part of NATO I would deeply regret the severing of the opportunity for personal relationship development at all levels; military and non-military. We have spent 60 years nurturing these successful relationships it would be folly to sever them.

  Rick Posted October 15, 2007 7:58 AM
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  Finally, some foreward thinking and common sense commitment to Europe and NATO! Anyone who spent time in Europe during the Cold War as part of US Forces understands how important it is to actively demonstrate our support and commitment through stationing of forces forward. We can't have a voice and influence decisions unless we are an active partner. There's a reason why "old Europe" hasn't been a willing partner with the US since we started reducing our presence on their continent.

  Charles Charlton Posted October 13, 2007 8:50 AM