U.S. Army officials are eying areas in northern Germany that might be ideal for hosting 4,000 permanently stationed troops.
Leaders with U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) have been scouting out land in the rural German towns of Fallingbostel and Bergen as they consider the best way to protect European allies in the years ahead. The news comes just two months after troops from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division arrived in Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
“The purpose was to assess the sites if there was growth in permanently assigned U.S. Forces in Germany,” USAREUR said in a statement, Stars and Stripes reported Wednesday. “At this time no decisions have been made; we are engaged in prudent planning only.”
Giving USAREUR the additional resources would essentially put three brigade combat teams in the region. There were four such teams under USAREUR’s command in 2012.
“Anything we do will involve consultation with host nation(s)/Allies,” USAREUR added.
German parliamentarian Henning Otte echoed that statement in an interview with a local newspaper.
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Mr. Otte stressed that officials were engaged in “preliminary considerations,” Stars and Strips reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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