US adds 500 troops in Germany, ends large-scale troop cut plans despite Trump pledge: SECDEF
15 hours ago
Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade prepare to board a UH-60 Black Hawk for a live-fire air assault during Operation Rock Frost on Dec. 9 at Grafenwöhr Training Area, Germany. (Maj. Robert Fellingham/Army)
BERLIN — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday that he is expanding the U.S. military presence in Germany by 500 troops and has stopped planning for large-scale troop cuts ordered by the Trump administration.
“This planned increase in U.S. personnel underscores our commitment to Germany and the entire NATO alliance,” Austin said in a notable counterpoint to the Trump administration’s repeated complaints that Germany is a weak partner on defense and security.