Fort Bliss Monitor

Bush announces future global posturing changes

John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – In a move that will likely affect air defenders and ADA units, President Bush announced Monday the United States will redistribute forces now stationed at overseas locations “where the wars of the last century ended.”

The president’s announcement came during an address to the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“The world has changed a great deal,” Bush said, “and our posture must change with it for the sake of our military families, for the sake of our taxpayers, and so we can be more effective at projecting our strength and spreading freedom and peace.”

America’s current force posture in Europe, Bush explained, was designed to guard against Soviet aggression. “The threat no longer exists,” he said.

The decision to redistribute forces comes after three years of study and consultations, Bush said. “We’ve consulted closely with our allies and with Congress. We’ve examined the challenges posed by today’s threats and emerging threats.” The result, he said, will be “a more agile and flexible force.”

As the new global posture takes shape over the next 10 years, Bush said, more U.S. troops would be stationed at, and deployed from, home bases in the United States.

“We’ll move some of our troops and capabilities to new locations so they can surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats,” Bush said. “We’ll take advantage of 21st century military technologies to rapidly deploy increased combat power.”

The new plan, the president said, will strengthen U.S. alliances and build new partnerships around the world, and will reduce stress on military people and their families.

“Although we’ll still have a significant presence overseas, under the plan I’m announcing today, over the next 10 years we will bring home about 60,000 to 70,000 uniformed personnel and about 100,000 family members and civilian employees.”

This, he explained, would give servicemembers more time on the home front, as well as more predictability and fewer moves over a career.

“Our military spouses will have fewer job changes, greater stability, more time for their kids and to spend time with their families at home,” he added.

Taxpayers will benefit from cost savings realized by closing obsolete overseas bases and facilities, the president said.

Air defense is one branch of the Army expected to feel the effects of this change. Currently, ADA units are stationed outside the continental United States in Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, Germany and the Republic of South Korea. Some units are already scheduled to relocate, with the 35th ADA Bde. preparing to move from Fort Bliss to South Korea in October, and the 69th ADA Bde., currently in Germany, anticipating a move back to the United States..



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	August 19, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Bush announces future global posturing changes John D. Banusiewicz American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON – In a move that will likely affect air defenders and ADA units, President Bush announced Monday the United States will redistribute forces now stationed at overseas locations “where the wars of the last century ended.” The president’s announcement came during an address to the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “The world has changed a great deal,” Bush said, “and our posture must change with it for the sake of our military families, for the sake of our taxpayers, and so we can be more effective at projecting our strength and spreading freedom and peace.” America’s current force posture in Europe, Bush explained, was designed to guard against Soviet aggression. “The threat no longer exists,” he said. The decision to redistribute forces comes after three years of study and consultations, Bush said. “We’ve consulted closely with our allies and with Congress. We’ve examined the challenges posed by today’s threats and emerging threats.” The result, he said, will be “a more agile and flexible force.” As the new global posture takes shape over the next 10 years, Bush said, more U.S. troops would be stationed at, and deployed from, home bases in the United States. “We’ll move some of our troops and capabilities to new locations so they can surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats,” Bush said. “We’ll take advantage of 21st century military technologies to rapidly deploy increased combat power.” The new plan, the president said, will strengthen U.S. alliances and build new partnerships around the world, and will reduce stress on military people and their families. “Although we’ll still have a significant presence overseas, under the plan I’m announcing today, over the next 10 years we will bring home about 60,000 to 70,000 uniformed personnel and about 100,000 family members and civilian employees.” This, he explained, would give servicemembers more time on the home front, as well as more predictability and fewer moves over a career. “Our military spouses will have fewer job changes, greater stability, more time for their kids and to spend time with their families at home,” he added. Taxpayers will benefit from cost savings realized by closing obsolete overseas bases and facilities, the president said. Air defense is one branch of the Army expected to feel the effects of this change. Currently, ADA units are stationed outside the continental United States in Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, Germany and the Republic of South Korea. Some units are already scheduled to relocate, with the 35th ADA Bde. preparing to move from Fort Bliss to South Korea in October, and the 69th ADA Bde., currently in Germany, anticipating a move back to the United States..