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Europe
Hoo, boy, is this going to be fun!
2004-03-25
FIRST - OOPS - Not LGF hehehehehehe

U.S. May Halve Forces in Germany
Shift in Europe, Asia Is Aimed at Faster Deployment

The Pentagon has drafted plans to withdraw as many as half of the 71,000 troops based in Germany as part of an extensive realignment of American military forces that moves away from large concentrations in Europe and Asia, according to U.S. officials....

Spain is not mentioned - BLEGH!
Posted by:Anonymous2U

#10  I think that Augusta Bay is the only Sicilian port I have visited. It is near Sigonella and would need some sprucing up.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-03-25 10:28:31 PM  

#9  I thought they had a referendum a little whiel ago and the vote was in favor of the Sixth Fleet? Sicily or Crete offer really nice alternatives to Rota. If it were me, ALL of the troops would leave Germany.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter)   2004-03-25 11:24:47 AM  

#8  The Spain base decision has always been pretty schizoid, but the choice to stay has always been on life-support. I thought that we were only considering staying to reward Aznar. I'd guess you can kiss those nice Rota tours adios.
Posted by: B   2004-03-25 9:12:46 AM  

#7  Makes sense to me. Puts us closer to the areas that are going to be turbulent for the near future. EU has been talking about creating its own military capacity anyhow though NATO is supposed to (according to them) maintain primacy.
Posted by: Jarhead   2004-03-25 8:45:32 AM  

#6  phil_b - Re. Cyprus - I don't think that'd go down at all well with the British bases' Greek neighbours. Better to have the US conduct a joint operation with the Moroccans to reclaim territory on the Moroccan coast - Ceuta and/or Melilla, and split the gains.
Posted by: Bulldog   2004-03-25 4:23:06 AM  

#5  Did the lease on Rota get signed before Zappy took over?
Posted by: mojo   2004-03-25 1:36:51 AM  

#4  Americans are probably not aware of this but the UK has large naval and air bases on the island of Cyprus, which are British soveriegn territory, i.e. they are legally part of the UK. Seems to me an ideal place to base the 6th fleet.
Posted by: phil_b   2004-03-25 1:32:29 AM  

#3  Stephen - I don't see this event helping matters any.
Posted by: Raj   2004-03-25 1:12:14 AM  

#2   If DoD is bringing home dependants as well as troops,that is going to be a substantial blow to German economy.
TGA,could you let us know how German press will spin this?
Posted by: Stephen   2004-03-25 1:07:32 AM  

#1   A little bit before 3-11,there were stories that the Sixth Fleet was going to be based in Spain.Wonder if that's still under discussion.
Posted by: Stephen   2004-03-25 12:40:36 AM  

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