There are presently 84 000 American soldiers in Europe, including around 10 000 in Poland, 37 000 in Germany and 13 000 in Italy. After Donald Trump again took office as president of the United States, concerns arose about the continued presence of these forces on the Old Continent.
US troops have been stationed in Europe since the end of planet War II. Their numbers changed over the years, reaching a highest level of about 475 1000 soldiers in the late 1950s, erstwhile the United States forces were a key component in the defence against russian troops and the full Warsaw Pact during the Cold War period.
In January, Donald Trump, who repeatedly criticized European countries for spending besides small on defence, returned to the White House, and his fresh administration signaled the anticipation of reducing US military presence in Europe. This presence is simply a key component of the European safety strategy and its possible simplification could seriously undermine the system - stressed experts, quoted last week by Reuter
Given these concerns, European military powers, including the United Kingdom and France, develop a plan to replace the US with NATOto avoid chaos after the possible unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Alliance - noted the British paper "Financial Times".
As of 2022, after a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia and sending another 20,000 troops to Europe, The number of these forces varied depending on the needs, rotation and exercise, reaching up to 105,000 during this period. - stated the American think tank Council on abroad Relations (CFR).
The US besides manages atomic arsenals in Europe. The continent has about 100 B61 bombs located in Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany and Turkey. no of them can be utilized without US approval.
40 military bases in Europe
Europe is besides above 40 U.S. military bases, mainly in Germany, Italy and large Britain. These are forces deployed permanentwho participate in regular exercises with allies. There are besides rotating forces in Europe. An example is the Reinforced extended Presence (eFP) of NATO forces (not just the US) on the east flank of the Alliance. As part of the eFP as of 2017, soldiers from different countries are stationed in Poland and the Baltic States, with individual units rotating - soldiers arriving for a fewer months, then returning to their home garrisons, and others from the same country arrive in their place.
Part of eFP is simply a contingent of respective 100 U.S. soldiers who train in the area of Giżycka and Orisza on Mazury. Together with them are subdivisions from Romania, large Britain and Croatia. The group cooperates with the 15th Giant Mechanized Brigade, and its actions are coordinated by the North East Multinational Division in Elbląg. The EFP was formed as a consequence of the findings of the NATO summit in Warsaw in 2016 to strengthen the east flank of the Alliance.
US soldiers in Poland and another countries
➡️ About 10,000 American soldiers are stationed in Poland, and this number is changed due to the rotational nature of the quota.
In Poznań There is an advanced command post of the 5th U.S. Army Corps, coordinating the actions of US land forces in Europe and cooperating with NATO and the Polish Army.
As of March 2023, the first permanent U.S. Army garrison (USAG-P) besides operates.
Important are besides Aegis Ashore Base in Redzikow (since 2024), Divisional command in Bolesławec and logistics hub in Jasionka about Rzeszów, where soldiers from another NATO countries besides serve.
➡️ About 37,000 American soldiers are stationed in Germany. In 2020 Trump announced the withdrawal of 9.5 1000 of them, accusing Berlin of failing to meet its commitments to NATO. any troops were to go to Poland, but these plans were not then implemented. In Ramstein (Drednia-Palatinate) operates an air base with 16,000 personnel and the office of the U.S. Air Force Command in Europe. In Buechel (also Rhineland-Palatinate) American atomic weapons are stored. In turn in Stuttgart (Baden-Württemberg) is EUCOM, the European Command of the United States, to which all US forces on the continent are subject.
➡️ There are about 10,000 U.S. soldiers stationed in over 10 bases in the UK, of the highest in Lakenheath, with multipurpose F-35 aircraft. There have been fresh incidents involving drones over U.S. bases in the UK and Germany. Experts fishy these actions from Russian services, but the perpetrators have not yet been established.
➡️ In Italy there are 9 U.S. military bases with about 13,000 soldiers. Airbases in Aviano (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) and Sigonelli (Sicilian) and sea bases in Gaeta (Latjum) and Naples are crucial. Recently, the media made public the decision of the U.S. Department of Government Performance (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, to block the payment cards of Italian civilian staff and to study to Washington, which sparked trade union protests.
➡️ Spain The Americans have been present since 1953 under the Madrid Pact, which enabled the construction of bases in exchange for assistance to the Francisco Franco regime. There are now 2 bases in Andalusia: Aeroplane in Moron (60 km from Seville) and naval - Rota (Cadiz in southwest Spain), part of NATO's defence system. There are 5 American rocket destroyers stationed in Spain, and the sixth is due to arrive this year. In 2024 Spain spent 1.3% of GDP on the military, with a plan to scope 2% in 2029.
➡️ Portugal U.S. forces have been since 1944, when, with the approval of the British, they appeared at the Lajes base on the Azores island of Terceira. The strategical position of the Azores contributed to the Portuguese invitation to co-create NATO in 1949. Currently on Terceir There are 165 American soldiers stationed, supported by 400 Portuguese workers. Portugal, spending 1.5% of GDP in defence, besides plans to scope 2% by 2029.
➡️ There are about 1.7 1000 American soldiers stationed in Turkey. U.S. usage air bases in Incirlik and Izmir. In Incirlik, which is the hub of allied missions, there are NATO atomic warheads and the center of surveillance operations in the mediate East. In Kurecik (Malatya) operates American early informing radar, part of NATO rocket defense.
➡️ There are about 600 US troops stationed in Greece. Since 1969, a naval base has been operating In Suda Bay, Crete. Americans are besides present at airbases in Larys and Stefanowikio and usage port in Alexandropolis. In February, the media speculated about plans to close this base, which the Pentagon denied, stressing that the US was only utilizing Greek port infrastructure.
Finland, who joined NATO in 2023, concluded a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the US, in force since autumn 2024. American land, air and sea forces have Access to 15 bases, airports and ports - from Gulf of Finland to Laponia. The yearly presence of US troops includes respective twelve to respective 1000 soldiers. Finland spends around 2.5 percent of GDP on defence.
➡️ There are about 1,000 American soldiers stationed in Lithuania, forming 2 battalions. They have been present since 2019 on a rotation basis, mainly as part of armored brigades. Initially, their presence was planned until 2026, but the agreement last year extended the mission for an indefinite period. Soldiers practice in Podbrod, close the border with Belarus. A fewer weeks ago, Lithuania's defence minister Dovile Shakaliene reported after talking to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth that her country was ready to accept an additional United States Army battalion and added that "there is no way to retreat US forces from Lithuania". 20% of Lithuanian arms purchases come from the United States.
➡️ About 400 American soldiers are presently in Latvia rotationally. These are artillery and aviation units. They're stationed in military bases. in Adazi and Lielvarde said the LETA agency at the end of February. The American contingent in various forms has been stationed in Latvia since 2014. Despite announcements that the United States may retreat any of its troops from Europe, the Latvian authorities have no information or informing that the existing US quota in their country will be reduced or withdrawn.
➡️ In Estonia, the American military contingent is stationed rotationally, with a number of soldiers estimated at respective hundred. In 2022 to Tapa database HIMARS rocket artillery unit arrived and in 2023 additional infantry units were deployed at the base in Voru. In February 2025 until Camp Reedo arrived the 7th cavalry regiment to be full deployed by September. Estonia spends around 3.5% of GDP on defence and plans to increase its spending on arms investments to 5% of GDP from 2026.
➡️ There are about 1.5 1000 American soldiers stationed in Romania, and a full of about 5,000 military from 17 countries. Most Americans are here. at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base close Constance On the Black Sea. The key are besides the Deveselu base (part of the rocket shield) and Campia Turzia in Seven.
PAP
