Germany Closing 10% Of Its Military Bases In Germany

[unhappycamper]

Perhaps the _{supercomittee} could close some US bases there also......


Germany to shut military bases in austerity drive
Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:12pm GMT
By Erik Kirschbaum

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany said on Wednesday it will close 31 of its 328 military bases and shrink installations in another 90 locations over the next five years as part of the most sweeping cuts in the history its Bundeswehr army, navy and air force.

"The reforms are painful but unavoidable," Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere told a media conference.

"The Bundeswehr isn't there to have bases in as many places as possible but it's there to fulfil its mission well and as cost-effectively as possible."

Closing one base named after the Wehrmacht officer who tried to assassinate Hitler, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, was especially painful, said de Maiziere.

[Crazy Dave]

1. I wonder if it's still mandatory to serve

When I lived there in the early 80s young German men had to serve two years.

[malaise]

2. But but but the US bases in Germany

will remain

[RKP5637]

3. Yeah, the US will probably open 31 more bases in Germany - and staff them with

contractors and say, no soldiers there ...

[newfie11]

4. yep!

[sammytko]

5. Are they closing the unit they have in New Mexico?

http://www.holloman.af.mil/units/gaf/index.asp

German Luftwaffe at Holloman Air Force Base

[Shagbark Hickory]

6. That's still a lot of bases for a country smaller than the state of texas. nt

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Why, oh why, can't the US do the same and close down 50-75% of our bases?