WASHINGTON
The U.S. will close 15 military bases and facilities in several European countries, the Defense Department said Thursday.
The move which includes closures in the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Italy, is part of the European Infrastructure Consolidation, or EIC, process that will save the U.S. approximately $500 million annually.
“These actions will result in a slight decrease in our force levels, but will also ensure they are most effectively positioned to enable the U.S. and our NATO allies to respond quickly to crises worldwide,” according to a Pentagon statement. No specific dates for the closings were announced.
"As part of an overall restructuring of our basing in Europe, we have been working with our allies to reposition thousands of our military and civilian personnel within the region," said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
The administration received in December, congressional approval for $985 million for the Defense Department to enhance a U.S. rotational presence in Europe for training, exercises, and other NATO activities.
The fund will also be used to implement infrastructure improvement projects to support the increased military presence by the U.S. and other U.S. allies in Eastern Europe, and enable the U.S. to develop the capacity of newer allies including Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.
“European and Transatlantic security is more important than ever, said Derek Chollet, an assistant secretary of defense, during a background briefing at the Pentagon.
“Part of this mission is to support and reassure our NATO allies,” he added, “Europe is a critical platform for our operations particularly in Middle East and North Africa.”
Russian actions in the Ukrainian crisis in the last year illustrate security threats in Europe and to Europe, he said while commenting on the objective of keeping 67,000 American troops in Europe.
The Pentagon also announced that the first F-35 base in Europe will be in Lakenheath, UK.
The Air Force will permanently base the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in Europe and the first aircraft are scheduled to arrive at Britian’s RAF Lakenheath in 2020, the Pentagon said.
A reduction of approximately 2,000 U.S. military and civilian personnel will result because of the EIC and F-35 decisions, according to the Pentagon.
But in Germany, the Pentagon anticipates an increase of several hundred U.S. military personnel assigned there.
Italy will add about 200 military positions, but in Portugal, there will be 500 fewer military and civilian personnel.
