U.S. to slash NATO air and naval presence in Europe

The United States is preparing to significantly reduce the military assets it allocates for NATO operations in Europe, a move that would limit the alliance's capacity for long-range strikes and surveillance, according to a report citing senior European officials. The proposed changes, detailed in a New York Times report on Friday, June 12, include cutting fighter jets, reconnaissance planes, and aerial refueling tankers, while also redeploying key naval assets like an aircraft carrier and a missile-launching submarine.

Under the reported plan, the number of U.S. F-16 and F-15E fighter jets available for NATO would be reduced from approximately 150 to 100. Maritime reconnaissance aircraft would be cut from 26 to 15, and all eight aerial refueling tanker jets previously assigned to Europe would be removed. The plan also aims to redeploy several warships and scores of jets that form an aircraft carrier's air wing, and may reallocate one of two bomber groups previously assigned for Europe's defense.

The U.S. Eastern Command stated last week that it would "rightsize" its major contributions to the NATO Force Model, though it provided no specifics. The reported adjustments follow...