Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville told House appropriators Tuesday that they expect the U.S. will expand its footprint in Europe after Russia’s war in Ukraine ends. They said U.S. presence in the region helped the U.S. respond quickly to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I think, frankly, we are seeing today the value of the investments that Congress has supported in the European Deterrence Initiative over the last few years,” Wormuth said, as Stars and Stripes reported.
She said she expects the U.S. will likely send more rotational deployments to the region in the coming years and that a plan for that may be clearer after NATO meets next month.
McConville agreed that U.S. presence is a deterrent, symbolizes NATO’s resolve and allows for joint training exercises.
“Having an American soldier on the ground makes a huge difference,” McConville said.
Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Claudia Nix