SecDef Austin:More US Combat Power Headed to Germany

Some 500 more US troops will be deployed to Germany,US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III declared in Germany, where he met with German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.He also said that planning for implementing former President Donald Trump's order to withdraw 12,000 troops from Germany had been halted, effectively nullifying the order.According to Mr.Austin: This planned increase in US personnel underscores our commitment to Germany and the entire NATO Alliance.* The forces will be stationed in Wiesbaden,site of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, joining the 33,000-36,000 US Soldiers currently in Germany.Secretary Austin noted that: They will augment our existing abilities to prevent conflict and,if necessary, fight and win.* He also added that this move will create more space,cyber and electronic warfare capabilities in Europe, and will enable the US to more easily surge forces at a moment's notice in defence of NATO Allies.* The new US forces will consist of a Multi-Domain Task Force having artillery; composite air and missile defence; intelligence; cyber,space and electronic warfare assets-plus a Theater Fires Command to augment readiness and interoperability with NATO Allies. Both units had been prefigured in a US Army plan as long ago as 2018, which then sought to constitute the equivalent of division-level combat power with a field artillery brigade HQ;two multiple rocket-launch system battalions; and a short-range air defence battalion.The new plan has reduced the troop level increase fnrom 1500 to 500.* COL Joe Scrocca, spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa explained that: The Theater Fires Command and Mult-Domain Task Force in Europe will enable U.S. Army Europe and Africa to synchronize joint fires and effects, control future long range fires across all domains, and will create more space, cyber and electronic warfare capabilities in Europe, integrating joint and multi-national fires in exercises and operations in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.* The planned activation dates are 16 September 2021 for the Multi-Domain Task Force and 16 October 2021 for the Theater Fires Command.* Additionally,three infrastructure complexes, including housing,in Mainz-Kastel and Darmstadt, that were to have been returned to Germany,are being retained in light of new strategies and a continually changing operational environment.The complexes are part of 21st Theater Sustainment Command.* The moves come at a time of heightened NATO concern about a large increase in Russian forces- by up to 80,000-in Russian-occupied Crimea and along the border with Eastern Ukraine.Ms.Kramp-Karrenbauer expressed relief at the restoration of close military ties with the US that had been frayed under former President Donald Trump.*