DoD consolidates US infrastructure in Europe

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced on 8 January that it will be consolidating some of its infrastructure in Europe. This will include returning 15 of its sites to host nations.

The European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) process will save the government around $500 million per year. The actions will slightly lower force levels but ensure effective positioning for quick response of the US and NATO allies to crises worldwide. The US footprint will reduce but the infrastructure in place will continue to support US interests and partners in the region.

Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense, said: ‘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.

‘I know that this will result in a reduction in size of our local host nation workforces at some locations; I value the tremendous support they provided us for decades and continue to provide today. In the end, this transformation of our infrastructure will help maximise our military capabilities in Europe and help strengthen our important European partnerships, so that we can best support our NATO allies and partners in the region.’

The US Congress approved the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI), a total of $985 million for DoD. This will enhance the country’s rotational presence in Europe for training, exercises, and other NATO activities. It will implement infrastructure improvement projects to support the increase military presence by the US and other Eastern European allies, pre-position US assets in Europe and enable the US to build the capacity of new allies and Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.