Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, commander U.S. European Command, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C. April 13, 2021. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

DIPLOMATIC  TIMES  STAFF REPORT

WASHINGTON DC  –  Generals provided testimony Tuesday  regarding tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border and the ability of U.S. allies to move large numbers of forces quickly over great distances.  Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of the U.S. European Command, and Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, testified at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to review the fiscal 2022 defense authorization request and the Future Years Defense Program. The current NATO security posture in Europe is strong, yet challenged by Russia’s actions in the vicinity of Ukraine, said Wolters, adding that America’s allies and partners in Europe remain a key strategic advantage.

“NATO remains the strategic center of gravity and the foundation of deterrence and assurance in Europe. Everything we do is about generating peace. We compete to win. We deter, and, if deterrence fails, we’re prepared to respond to aggression with the full weight of the transatlantic alliance.”

-Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of the U.S. European Command

Wolters noted that NATO has a robust exercise program. This summer, NATO will conduct Defender-series exercises composed of some 30,000 U.S. service members, allies and partners.

Wolters also mentioned the addition of 500 soldiers to U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden in Germany.

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)

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. 

Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, commander U.S. Transportation Command, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, D.C. April 13, 2021. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

Lyons told senators that Transcom’s mission is to project forces globally on land, air and sea, including to support the upcoming NATO exercises.