US to base 500 more troops in Germany rather than reduce its presence

The United States will base 500 more troops in Germany, reversing the Trump administration's plans to reduce the US military presence in the country. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that the additional troops would be based in Germany by the third quarter of this year, the Pentagon announced on its website on 13 April.

Visiting the German Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Berlin, Austin, whose military career included serving in Germany, said, This planned increase in US personnel underscores our commitment to Germany and the entire NATO alliance, adding, Germany is one of our staunchest allies...Strengthening our relationship with Germany is a top priority for the Biden-Harris administration.

The Pentagon said the 500 additional US troops would augment existing capabilities, support the space and cyber domains, and provide more electronic warfare capabilities in Europe, which Austin said would greatly improve our ability to surge forces at a moment’s notice to defend our allies.

US Army Europe and Africa announced in a press release on 13 April that two new units would be based in Germany: Multi-Domain Task Force-Europe and a Theater Fires Command. The Multi-Domain Task Force-Europe will consist of field artillery, composite air and missile defence, intelligence, cyberspace, electronic warfare, space, and aviation assets, as well as a brigade support element. The Theater Fires Command will improve readiness and multinational interoperability by integrating joint and multinational fires in exercises and operations in support of US Army Europe and Africa, the command said.

The Multi-Domain Task Force is expected to be activated on 16 September and the Theater Fires Command on 16 October. US Army Europe said three sites would be retained: Mainz Kastel Station and Mainz Kastel Housing in Mainz-Kastel, and Dagger Complex in Darmstadt.