Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer at the Defense Ministry in Berlin, April 13, 2021. (Photo Credit: By: Jim Garamone, DOD)

By Gary  Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Tuesday announced that, after consultations with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the United States will base an additional 500 service members in Germany by the fall. The action by the Biden-led Pentagon is a sharp reversal of former President Trump’s ordering of large-scale cuts in troops in Germany.  President  Biden announced a policy to freeze that process, which included moving the headquarters for the Stuttgart-based U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command.  Germany is the first European nation Austin is visiting in his current job. The  U.S. Defense Secretary is traveling to the Middle East and Europe to consult with some of America’s closest allies, with an eye toward “revitalizing” America’s relationships,  the  Pentagon said. 

“This planned increase in U.S. personnel underscores our commitment to Germany and the entire NATO alliance,”

-Defense Secretary Austin said in  remarks to Germany’s Ministry of Defense

President Biden  ordered a global posture review to determine how to best station U.S. forces around the world.  The 500 new U.S. troops will augment existing capabilities, help in the space and cyber domains, and provide more electronic warfare capabilities in Europe. They will “greatly improve our ability to surge forces at a moment’s notice to defend our allies,”  the Pentagon chief said.

German Minister Praises Biden Defense Department’s Halting of  U.S. Troop Withdrawals:

“It is great news that not only has the withdrawal of troops…from Germany been halted, but, quite the contrary; we will be able to welcome an additional 500 U.S. troops,” Kramp-Karrenbauer said. “This is a very strong signal of our partnership and friendship.”

Germany Is Staunch Ally of U.S. and Key To Western Alliance Response to “Russian Aggression”  in Ukraine, Crimea, Defense Secretary says

“Germany is one of our staunchest allies, and our relationship is built on shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Today, those principles are increasingly under duress. Amid shifting global dynamics and a challenging security environment, Germany will continue to be an important security and economic partner for the United States in the years ahead.”

-U.S. Defense Secretary Austin