Since 1945, generations of Americans have served their nation at military bases throughout Western Europe. Their children were born there, attended DoD schools and their families shopped in base commissaries. Since the end of the Cold War, those bases have been gradually emptied and the latest round of base decommissioning and turnovers has been announced.
With 67,000 troops stationed permanently in Europe, there is a great deal of real estate that the Department of Defense can release for other uses. On Jan. 8, the Pentagon briefed reporters on the changes. The changes should result in $500 million in annual savings at current levels and be implemented by the early 2020s.
The first two operational squadrons of F-35 joint strike fighters are scheduled to be stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in 2020. At the same time, the U.S. presence at RAF Mildenhall will end. About 3,200 Americans will be relocated from RAF Mildenhall balanced by an addition of about 1,200 to RAF Lakenheath.
A total of 15 sites will be returned to the host nations, the U.K., Germany and Italy. Most of the German sites are very small bases or support facilities that are surplus to the current needs of U.S. European Command.
The facilities closures will occur primarily in Germany. The changes will result in the loss of about 1,200 U.S. military and civilian jobs, and the relocation of about 6,000 others. Some 1,500 positions held by Europeans may be relocated and 1,100 eliminated.
One important change outside Germany will be the continued consolidation at Lajes Airbase in the Portuguese Azores. The base is used primarily for cargo and transport aircraft. Personnel and space tasked to other duties will be affected.
