The US withdraws the first soldiers from Europe. This is what there is to lose [MAPY]

American troops have been permanently present in Europe since the end of World War II. The Allies occupied the western part of Germany, and the United States built and adapted military bases there, mainly in the former American occupation zone in the south of the country.

During the Cold War, the US maintained significant forces in Western Europe to deter the Soviet Union. The vast majority of soldiers were stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany. By the end of the 1950s, the number of American troops in allied countries in Europe exceeded 400,000.

After the collapse of the USSR in 1991 and the end of the Cold War, the American authorities decided that such an extensive military presence was no longer necessary, which initiated a gradual reduction of forces on the continent.

After Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, the United States sent an additional approximately 20,000. soldiers to countries bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The goal was to support Ukraine and stop the escalation of the conflict. During the war, the total number of American servicemen in Europe ranged from approximately 75,000. up to 105 thousand people.

Currently, there are approximately 84,000 stationed in Europe. American soldiers. They are staying in 31 permanent bases and 18 other military facilities to which the US has access. These include air bases, naval stations, land force garrisons, anti-missile defense systems and surveillance and reconnaissance centers.

American think tank Council on Foreign Relations divided the presence of US forces in Europe into four categories:

1. Permanently deployed forces

These are soldiers seconded to a given European country for a long, often multi-year period. They form a permanent element of the American military presence in Europe, operate on permanent bases and military infrastructure, and regularly conduct exercises and training with the armies of host countries.

2. Long-term rotational forces

Some troops go to Europe for a specific period of time as part of specific missions or in response to current events. The most important operations of this type are NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence and Operation Atlantic Resolve.

3. National Guard State Partnership Program

This program was launched in 1993, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, to support the reform of the armed forces of post-Soviet countries interested in joining NATO – especially the Baltic countries. Currently, the United States maintains 29 such partnerships with European countries.

4. Forces temporarily present during exercises

Large, multinational military maneuvers involving various types of US armed forces and the armies of NATO countries. American soldiers stay in the region only for the duration of the exercises, after which they return to their home units.

The main bases of American troops in Europe

Air bases

• Ramstein Air Base (Germany)

The main U.S. Air Force base in Europe and the headquarters of U.S. Air Forces Europe-Africa Command (USAFE-AFAFRICA). It is a key transportation hub supporting U.S. operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It also serves as a global center for communications and coordination of unmanned aircraft operations. Over 16,000 are stationed here. people. It has been operating continuously since 1953.

• Lakenheath Air Base (UK)

The US Air Force base is the headquarters of the 48th Fighter Wing, responsible for maintaining combat readiness around the world. It played an important role in operations in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as in the raids on Libya in 1986. 5,177 US soldiers and 2,700 civilian employees are stationed here. Formally, it belongs to the British Ministry of Defense, and the USA has been using it since 1948.

• Aviano Air Base (Italy)

A key NATO air center in Southern Europe and the headquarters of the 31st Fighter Wing. It supports offensive, defensive, reconnaissance and rescue operations. The soldiers took part in US operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and in military operations against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya in 2011. They number approx. 10,000. people.

Marine installations

• Naval Support Center Naples (Italy)

Headquarters of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Command and the U.S. 6th Fleet. It enables the coordination of naval operations in Europe, Africa and the Atlantic. About 8,500 people are stationed there.

• Sigonella Naval Air Base (Italy)

It is known as the “hub of the Mediterranean Sea”. A key logistical and operational base supporting intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. 4,555 people are stationed here. The base has been operating since 1959.

• Rota Naval Base (Spain)

The main US and NATO logistics hub in the region. Provides support for ships and military units. The USA has been using it since 1953.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Porter docks at the pier at Rota Air Force Base (2017)StockTrek Images via AFP

Onshore installations

• US Army Garrison Vicenza (Italy)

The headquarters of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, which serves as a rapid reaction force in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Permanent U.S. Army installation since 1952

• US Army Garrison Stuttgart (Germany)

Strategic command center for U.S. operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. This includes, among others: U.S. Forces Europe Command (USEUCOM), U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa Command, and U.S. Special Operations Command Europe. It supports the coordination of activities in 51 countries. There are over 25 thousand there. people.

• Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (Germany)

The largest foreign American medical facility. Serves over 205,000 people in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It is the main medical evacuation center for wounded US and coalition forces. It employs over 2,000. employees.

American Aegis Ashore anti-missile base in Redzikowo (2024)PAP

Missile defense and space surveillance

• Naval Support Center Redzikowo (Poland)

The first permanent US installation in Poland, equipped with the Aegis Ashore missile defense system. It has been operating since 2024 and has 355 staff.

• Naval Support Center Deveselu (Romania)

The base with the Aegis Ashore system, operating since 2016, is part of the American anti-missile shield in Europe. Okay. 200 staff.

• Pituffik Space Base (Greenland)

The northernmost US base. A key element of the ballistic missile early warning and space surveillance system. It has been operating since 1951 based on an agreement with Denmark. About 150 people are stationed here.