Posted on 7/28/2003, 5:02:03 PM by mark502inf
The Army quietly is making detailed plans to move its two Germany-based divisions back to the United States as soon as they finish their yearlong Iraq deployments, but defense leaders haven’t given their approval.
While not specifically commenting on the Army moves, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in an interview that they are part of a worldwide basing review that would be studied by senior leaders in the weeks ahead.
The U.S. 1st Armored Division, currently deployed in Iraq, is slated to return to Wiesbaden, Germany, between February and April 2004, Gen. Jack Keane, acting Army chief of staff, said at a July 23 news conference.
But Pentagon officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, say the division would stay only long enough to pack up and head to the United States.
Likewise, the 1st Infantry Division, now based in Wuerzburg, Germany, would return to U.S. soil after its one-year deployment to Iraq, which begins in March 2004.
The two divisions represent the bulk of the Army’s combat force in Europe. However, the Army plans to station one of its new light-armored Stryker brigades in Germany, possibly in the Grafenwoehr-Vilseck area, where training ranges are available.
In addition, Army officials are looking at Romania and Bulgaria as sites for austere base camps where U.S.-based troops would deploy on six-month rotations.
Room in the heartland?
While no official plan has been announced, Pentagon planners are considering where to make room for the two Germany-based divisions upon their U.S. arrival.
Much of the 1st Infantry Division is expected to return to its traditional stomping grounds at Fort Riley, Kan., where the "Big Red One" division was home-based until unit reshufflings in the 1990s. Riley is home to one brigade of 1st Infantry as well as one brigade of 1st Armored.
Much of the 1st Armored Division likely would be stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., the Army’s premier training facility for service transformation efforts.
However, the 1st Armored Division might be sent to Fort Riley instead, where it would be designated as the 1st Infantry, a congressional source said.
One official at the Pentagon said the influx of troops from Germany — roughly 40,000 active-duty members plus families — is more than any one or two posts could accommodate.
"They’re looking everywhere" to find possible U.S. homes for elements of the two divisions, the official said.
Regardless, more troops are welcome at Fort Riley, according to Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We are aware that the Army is considering Fort Riley as the home of a division flag should the decision to return a division from Europe be made," Roberts said in a prepared statement July 24. "Fort Riley has maintained its deployment infrastructure. It has the training land and no environmental restrictions or encroachment problems."
Rumsfeld, asked about the fate of the two Army divisions in Germany, said their future is tied up in a worldwide basing review that will be the focus of senior leaders.
Until now, the bulk of the basing plans have been developed on the regional level by combatant commanders and their staffs, Rumsfeld said in a July 22 interview at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
A senior-level review group will look at the regional plans and "be wrestling with" how to coordinate them on a global level "in the weeks ahead," he said.
But international basing decisions can’t be made only in Washington, he said.
"Of course, you’ve got the interaction with allies and friends and NATO and Korea and Japan and all of that," Rumsfeld said.
Staff writer Matthew Cox contributed to this report.
I'm sure there must be a reason, but what?
Owl_Eagle
”Guns Before Butter.”
1-An ocean closer to West Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. 2-Visible sign of our commitment to NATO. 3-Opportunities for training and experience with foreign militaries and on terrain not available in the USA.
But it would be cheaper, closer to better training areas, and closer to potential employment locations to displace any remaining units south & east.
Tell that to my dad. My parents met when my father was stationed in Germany the first time. (He had three tours there.) Although, I am not fond of the home country of 50% of my ancestors or the people there in general, there are some nice people there.
Aye. My wife's the nicest person I have ever met- hands down ;-)
They been there since the end of WWII is my understanding, to keep the peace after nazi regime,(?) I could be wrong.
Soviet Bloc.
I'm sure there must be a reason, but what?
Soviet Bloc.
The Soviet bloc is history and it appears that 6 brigades of American soldiers in Germany allowing the Eurotrash socialiats to suck off the American teat are as well.
Hip,hip, hooray!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.