The New York Times reported on 12/6 that two senior European officials revealed the United States plans a substantial reduction in aircraft and warships allocated for NATO operations in the region. Washington conveyed this plan in writing to its European allies in early June.
The plan outlines the US intent to cut one-third of its F-15E and F-16 fighter jet force, reducing it from 150 to 100 aircraft. Washington also plans to decrease maritime patrol aircraft from 26 to 15 and withdraw all 8 refueling aircraft.
The US also intends to redeploy one missile submarine and one aircraft carrier strike group. One of two bomber squadrons previously assigned to European defense missions is also slated for relocation.
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A US F-16 fighter jet takes off from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany in January. Photo: USAF
The Pentagon declined to comment on the specific figures in the document, referring instead to a statement released last week by the United States European Command (EUCOM). This statement generally addressed an intent to reduce its military presence in Europe.
While the Pentagon has not announced a timeline for the force reduction, US officials revealed it would happen very soon, much faster than European nations anticipated, according to the New York Times.
This information offers the clearest insight yet into the commitment reductions to NATO planned by President Donald Trump's administration. A sudden US force reduction would impact NATO's capabilities, such as tracking Russian submarines or launching long-range Tomahawk missiles deep into enemy territory during a conflict.
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US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on 11/6. Photo: AP
President Trump has complained for years about the burden the US bears for NATO. He repeatedly urged Europe to do more for its own defense without US support and threatened to withdraw from the alliance.
Previously, the Trump administration had only announced small-scale troop withdrawals in a few individual countries, not a drastic reduction in overall NATO support as revealed by the New York Times plan.
By Pham Giang (Based on Reuters, New York Times, TVP World)
