Army rethinking plan to cut forces in Europe

[unhappycamper]

Army rethinking plan to cut forces in Europe
By Pauline Jelinek - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 17, 2009 16:28:24 EST

WASHINGTON — The Army is again reconsidering its plan for drawing down troops in Europe and thinking of leaving more troops there than earlier planned.

Gen. Carter Ham, the head of Army troops in Europe, said Tuesday that because U.S. troops in Europe have been used so much in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they cannot participate in exercises with European allies as much as he’d like.

There are 42,000 soldiers in Europe, but a plan already approved by the military would reduce that number to 32,000 by 2012 or 3012.

Ham told a Pentagon news conference that he is recommending leaving the force at its current size, a recommendation that would have to be approved by superiors.

He said the force in Europe must be able to stay engaged and exercise with allies to build partnerships.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_army_europe_021709/%2e



uhc comment: You're planning on keeping folks in Europe for another thousand and three years? Now that's planning.

BTW, howse that exit plan for Afghanistan coming?