Having just watched the SecDef, Vice CJCS and @US_EUCOM Commander, I am sickened by this decision and explanation.— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) July 29, 2020
It is not tied to any strategic advantage, and in fact is counterproductive to showing strength in Europe.
A couple things:
2/
The Headquarters in Stuttgart - both EUCOM and AFRICOM - will take billions of dollars to move, and will disrupt those HQs in their operation. AFRICOM location is "to be determined" because there is no valid answer...consolidating EUCOM w SHAPE in Belgium will be challenging. 4/— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) July 29, 2020
Similar facilities - barracks, motor pools, logistics facilities, airfields, railheads - are now required in the areas where rotational troops will deploy. That will cost billions.— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) July 29, 2020
One lesson we learned..."rotational forces are more expensive & they don't built trust."
The 2d Stryker Brigade is at Vilseck, a great transport hub for that mobile unit to transit to ANY area (Baltics, Caucasus, Nordic, Poland, etc). They have been doing this for over a decade. Their families are cared for at Vilseck, and time away from families is less.— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) July 29, 2020
6/
When I commanded at Grafenwoehr as a 1-star, that based was transformed. Over a billion dollars in construction costs for barracks, motor pools, family housing. That was in 2004-6.— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) July 29, 2020
8/
BTW, many of the requirements for "new facilites" are the same facilities that were raided of funds when the "border wall efforts" needed funds. It's interesting that those funds were for upgrades for servicability but they will now require more funds for construction.— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) July 29, 2020
10/
Having had to notify families, move units and equipment, and go through the redeployment process will - as GEN Wolters said - take months and years, not weeks.— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) July 29, 2020
It is disruptive, and affects readiness...especially when this is all happening without a previous plan. 12/
2d, these actions are primarily:— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) July 29, 2020
1. Punishing Merkel & Germany
2. Knee-jerk reaction to Trump vs collaborative US strategy
3. A gift to Russian expansionism & Putin's plan
4. Another wedge for NATO
5. Further disruption of US Military
6. Something Congress should not allow
14/
According to GENs Hyten & Wolters, they will continue to "develop the plan."— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) July 29, 2020
It will take months to plan, years to execute.
Congress must see this for what it is, and stop it. 15/15
