84,000 are currently stationed in Europe. American soldiers, including in Poland about 10,000, in Germany – 37,000, and in Italy – 13,000 After re -taking over the office of the US president by Donald Trump, there were concerns about the further presence of these forces on the Old Continent.
The US troops have been stationed in Europe since the end of World War II. Their number has changed over the years, reaching a peak level of about 475 thousand. Soldiers in the late 1950s, when the United States forces were a key element of defense against the USSR troops and the entire Warsaw Pact during the Cold War.
In January, Donald Trump, who repeatedly criticized European countries for too low defense expenses, returned to the White House, and his new administration signaled the possibility of reducing the military presence of the US in Europe. This presence is a key element of the European Security System, and its possible limitation could seriously upset this system – emphasize experts cited last week by the Reuters agency
In connection with these fears, European military powers, including Great Britain and France, are developing a plan to replace the USA in NATO to avoid chaos after a possible unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the alliance – noted the British daily Financial Times.
From 2022, after Russia's full -size invasion of Ukraine and the US sending another 20,000 to Europe. soldiers, the number of these forces changed depending on the needs, rotation and exercise, reaching even a level of 105,000 during this period. – said American Think Tank Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
The US also manages a nuclear arsenal in Europe. There are about 100 B61 bombs on the continent, located in Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany and Turkey. None of them can be used without US consent.
There are also over 40 American military bases in Europe, mainly in Germany, Italy and Great Britain. These forces are permanently distributed, which participate in regular exercises with allies. There are also rotational forces in Europe. An example is the reinforced presence (EFP) of NATO forces (not only the USA) on the eastern flank of the alliance. As part of the EFP since 2017, soldiers from various countries have been stationed in Poland and the Baltic States, while individual units are rotating – soldiers come for several months, then return to their home garrison, and in their place others come from the same country.
Part of EFP is the contingent of several hundred soldiers from the USA who train in the regions of Giżycko and Orzysz in Masuria. Together with them there are units from Romania, Great Britain and Croatia. The group cooperates with the 15th Giżycko Mechanized Brigade, and its actions are coordinated by the North -East Multinational Division in Elbląg. EFP was created as a result of the findings of the NATO summit in Warsaw in 2016 to strengthen the eastern flank of the Alliance.
About 10,000 are stationed in Poland American soldiers, and this number changes due to the rotational nature of the contingent. In Poznań, there is an extended command position of the V Corps of the US land forces, coordinating the actions of the US land forces in Europe and cooperating with NATO and the Polish army. From March 2023, the first permanent Garrison of the US troops (USAG-P) has also been operating. The Aegis Ashore base in Redzikowo (from 2024), the divisional command in Bolesławiec and the logistics hub in Jasionka around Rzeszów are also important, where soldiers from other NATO countries also serve.
About 37,000 are stationed in Germany American soldiers. In 2020, Trump announced the withdrawal of 9.5 thousand. of them, accusing Berlin of failure to fulfill his obligations to NATO. Some of the troops were to go to Poland, but these plans were not implemented at the time. Air base with 16 thousand operates in Ramstein (Rhineland-Palatinate). staff and the seat of the US Aviation Command in Europe. American nuclear weapon is stored in Buechel (also Rhineland-Palatinate). In turn, in Stuttgart (Badenia-Württemberg) there is EUCOM, i.e. the European command of the United States, to which all US forces on the continent are subject.
About 10,000 are stationed in Great Britain. American soldiers in over 10 bases, including the largest in Lakenheath, with F-35 multi-purpose aircraft. Recently, incidents involving drones over American bases in Great Britain and Germany have been recorded. Experts suspect Russian services, but the perpetrators have not been established so far.
There are nine American military bases in Italy with about 13 thousand. soldiers. Air bases in Aviano (Friuli-Venencja Julian) and Sigonella (Sicilia) and Morskie in Gaeta (Lacjium) and Naples are of key importance. Recently, the media has publicized the decision of the American Department for Government Performance (Doge), headed by billionaire Elon Musk, about the blockade of payment cards of Italian civilian personnel and an order to report to Washington, which caused protests of trade unions.
In Spain, Americans have been present since 1953 by the Madrid Pact, which enabled the construction of bases in exchange for help for the Francisco Franco regime. Currently, two bases operate in Andalusia: Aviation in Moron (60 km from Seville) and Morska – Rota (Kadiks in southwestern Spain), part of the NATO defense system. Five American rocket destroyers are stationed in Spain, and the sixth is to reach this year. In 2024, Spain spent 1.3 percent on the army GDP, with a plan to reach 2 % in 2029
In Portugal, the US forces have been since 1944, when with the consent of the British they appeared in the Lajes base on the Azorska island of Terceira. The strategic location of the Azores contributed to the invitation of Portugal to co -create NATO in 1949. Currently, 165 American soldiers, supported by 400 Portuguese employees, are stationed at Terceir. Portugal, spending 1.5 percent on defense GDP, also plans to reach a level of 2 percent. until 2029
About 1.7 thousand are stationed in Turkey American soldiers. The US uses aviation bases in Incirlik and Izmir. In Incirlik, which is a hub of allied missions, there are nuclear heads of NATO and the Operation Supervision Center in the Middle East. The American radar of early warning, which is part of NATO's missile defense, operates in Kurecik (Malatia).
About 600 soldiers from the USA are stationed in Greece. Since 1969, the Navy base in the Suda Bay in Crete has been operating. Americans are also present at the air bases in Larysa and Stefanowikio and use the port of Aleksandropolis. In February, the media speculated about the plans to close this base, which Pentagon denied, emphasizing that the US only benefits from the Greek port infrastructure.
Finland, which joined NATO in 2023, concluded a defense agreement with the USA (Defense Cooperation Agreement), which has been in force since autumn 2024. American land, air and sea forces have access to 15 bases, airports and ports – from the Finnish bay to Lapland. The rotational presence of the US troops includes from several dozen to several thousand soldiers. Finland allocates about 2.5 percent to defense GDP.
About 1,000 American soldiers are stationed in Lithuania, creating two battalions. They have been present since 2019 on the principles of rotation, mainly as part of armored brigades. Initially, their presence was planned until 2026, but the agreement from last year extended the mission for an indefinite period. Soldiers practice in Podbrodzie, near the border with Belarus. A few weeks ago, the Minister of Defense of Lithuania Dovile Szakaliene passed after a conversation with the head of Pentagon Pete HegeSthem that her country is ready to accept an additional battalion of the United States troops and added that “there is no question of withdrawing the US forces from Lithuania.” 20 percent Lithuanian purchases of weapons come from the United States.
There are currently about 400 American soldiers in Latvia. These are artillery and aviation units. They are stationed in military bases in Adażi and Lielvarde – the Leta agency said at the end of February. The American contingent has been stationed in various forms in Latvia since 2014. Despite the announcement that the United States can withdraw some of their troops from Europe, the Latvian authorities have no information or warnings that the US contingent existing in their country will be reduced or withdrawn.
In Estonia, the American military contingent is stationed, with a number of soldiers estimated at several hundred. In 2022, the Himars rocket artillery unit came to the Tapa base, and in 2023 – additional infantry units were located in the base in Voru. In February 2025, the 7th Cavalry Regiment came to Camp Reedo, which is to be fully deployed until September. Estonia allocates about 3.5 percent to defense. GDP and plans to increase expenditure on arms investments to 5 percent. GDP from 2026
About 1.5 thousand are stationed in Romania. American soldiers, and in total – about 5,000 military from 17 countries. Most Americans are in the Mihail Kogalnicean air base near Konstanca on the Black Sea. Devesel bases (element of anti -missile shield) and the Turzia Campia in Transylvania are also crucial. (PAP)
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