One U.S. Army Brigade May Return From Europe

Gates May Cut At Least One Army Brigade From Europe -- The Danger Room

The U.S.’s huge troop footprint in Europe is a Cold War relic in search of a rationale. Working with NATO militaries? Sure, but you don’t need tens of thousands of troops for that, as Colombia can attest. Supplying the war in Afghanistan? Germany’s Ramstein Air Base is a major air-cargo transit point, sure, but even this war will end someday. And there’s no threat of Russian tanks pushing westward.

But don’t expect the Pentagon to make any dramatic changes to the U.S.’s 60-year old posture in Europe. Defense Secretary Robert Gates thinks it’s too large and too brass-heavy, but Danger Room is hearing that only one Army brigade might actually get shipped back home.

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My Comment: One brigade back home is the minimum that can be done .... as for the rest .... being based in Europe will be regarded as a cushy job before retirement, not as a place for advancement and promotion.