Gates still placing foot in European ass.

via AFP.

"The Libya air war has exposed serious shortcomings among NATO allies and European governments will have to agree on joint defense budget priorities to rectify the problem, Gates told AFP in an interview.
The Pentagon chief, who is due to retire this week after more than four years in the post, reiterated views he expressed in a blunt speech in Brussels earlier this month, in which he warned the alliance faced a potentially "dismal" future.
"The truth is, as I said in Brussels, there is a lot of military capability and a lot of money being spent in Europe," Gates said on Thursday."

Of course the designer and main cheerleader for this fiasco in Libya, the President of France had this to say...Translation by Google...

THE PRESIDENT - Mr. Gates was retiring, apparently it does him no pleasure. So do not blame someone who is retiring to be a little bitter. I think his retirement did not have to closely observe what was happening in Libya, because you can say whatever you want but I do not feel in Libya most of the work done by our American friends. You were speaking of Libya at the same time is to say that our American friends have two drones, a number of tanker aircraft, we are very sensitive but it would not come to the idea of ​​a man as responsible and intelligent than President Obama to say that it is America that is the main work in Libya.
This was especially moved by Mr. Gates saying that. And more completely wrong, given what is happening in Libya. There were certainly other moments in history when he could have said it, but not when the Europeans, bravely took the case of Libya, where mainly the French, the English and their allies are the work! I will not allow me to make this statement when, after 15 days the Americans have decided to reduce their aircraft. So it's a statement that is unfair for them falls ill and does not correspond to reality.

Awesome.

Gates brings up a legitimate shortcoming in the alliance and instead of being taken seriously, is accused of being a tired, retiring old man.

This outcome is predictable.  This 'war' will drone on for a while (unless someone gets lucky and kills Khadaffi) and both sides will sue for peace.

The alliance will be exposed for the sham that it is but everyone will continue to pretend that it isn't and will continue business as usual --- building bigger and more elaborate headquarters buildings...doing dog and pony exercises that serve no real purpose....and creating staff billets for generals and admirals.

NATO is useless.  When they go against a second tier military its lights out.  NATO will be routed unless the US participates in full.

German Army is combat IN-effective.

That's right.  According to an article in the Daily Beast the German Army is combat in-effective.

Thanks Jonathan!  Much appreciated.  Read the entire article but here's some highlights.

First this...

"German soldiers mostly don’t know how to use their weapons.” They “have no or little experience driving armored vehicles.” For German field commanders, “the necessity and ways [to protect their units from roadside bombs] are to a large extent either unknown or incorrect.”

Then this...

The secret reports bemoan German soldiers’ outdated training and antiquated, insufficient equipment. German forces could not operate if it weren’t for Ukrainian cargo planes and American helicopters and their U.S. Army crews, most crucially the Chinook troop transports and Black Hawk MedEvac helicopters that ensure Bundeswehr soldiers can get into and out of their battles quickly and safely. Considering Obama’s announcement about the beginning of the pullout of U.S. forces, the Bundeswehr couldn’t even fight in terrain like Afghanistan’s if it wanted to. “If the Americans pull out of the north, the Germans will stand there in very short skirts,” says Bundeswehr General and former NATO Commander Egon Ramms.

I wish I could lay my hands on the actual report. This is damning. 

The most powerful economy in Europe is no longer capable or willing to defending itself.

AMAZING.

Gates opposed to closing overseas bases.

Gates is opposed to closing overseas bases. 

He cites the high upfront costs...but ignores the long term savings.

He cites the message it would send...but ignores the message he attempted to send last week.


This via DODBuzz.

Secretary Gates, counting the hours until he’s sprung from his five-sided dungeon, warned senators on Wednesday about the risks involved with closing U.S. bases overseas as part of potential cuts to the defense budget. For one thing, he said, it would probably cost money upfront, as opposed to saving it, to build headquarters and barracks and other facilities in the U.S. to house the troops who now live in Europe. For another, it might send a dangerous message:
“What kind of signal to do you want to send the rest of the world, as far as America’s role in the world?” Gates asked.  “At the same time as we’re cutting the defense budget, we cut State’s budget, and State has fewer assets to deploy aboard, we have fewer assets to deploy aboard — are we basically sending the message to the rest of the world, to China, Iran, North Korea, a variety of others … that the U.S. is closing up shop and going home and headed toward Fortress America again?”

Not only would that have a chilling effect around the globe, Gates said, he argued that the American military bases in Europe have actually helped stem the trend of diminished NATO usefulness that he famously warned about last week.

“Our presence in Europe, one of the benefits it has brought — in addition to the fiscal benefit of having troops rotate from Germany to Afghanistan — one thing is has brought, is it has slowed, I think, this deterioration of NATO military capabilities,” Gates said.
Is that because European troops need to maintain a certain level of proficiency to keep pace with the Americans? asked Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Maryland. Absolutely, Gates said.
“We train with them, we work with them, so they have to have capabilities to match us when we’re doing that,” he said.
Whatever you think of Gates’ arguments on foreign basing, his warnings appeared to add another bullet point to his list of things that DoD must keep — along with the now-familiar litany that includes the F-35, the KC-46A, Army and Marine Corps recapitalization, SSBN(X). At this rate, it’s getting difficult to see what things Gates would be all right with losing. Fortunately for him, with only 15 more days on the job, he won’t be around to have to figure that out.
What do you think — is Gates right?

No Gates isn't right.

He just proved that we're subsidizing European defense.

He just proved that they're not interested in their own defense.

He just proved that a big segment of Europe isn't worth the time or money.

Gates is wrong.  Time to pull ALL our forces out of Europe.

German Sea Basing?

I don't know if this is just an idea that they thought would look pretty to the USMC or if its actually something they're planning on implementing...

Personally.

I'll believe it when I see it.

German SeaBasing Concept Slides

Lexington Institute's take on the NATO situation

From Early Warning Blog...

It is not that NATO does not spend enough; it is rather that the Alliance and European Union spends badly. It spends an inadequate amount on R&D and procurement and overspends on personnel, including nondeployable forces. Then there is duplication of effort and investment in obsolescent capabilities. Europe has deployed three different fourth generation fighters, the Rafale, Typhoon and Gripen, while the U.S. leapt ahead to fifth generation aircraft, the F-22 and F-35. The U.S. is buying over 100 P-8 antisubmarine warfare aircraft; Europe is buying none. The U.S. already has deployed a fleet of C-17 long-range cargo aircraft while Europe is struggling to buy the shorter range A400. The list goes on and on: missile defenses, JDAMs, Small Diameter Bomb, AMRAAM, Global Hawk UAVs and directed energy weapons. Add to that critical enablers, particularly intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance and you have what it takes to be a modern military.
In his speech, the Secretary pointed out that several countries were spending only modestly in their militaries but still managed to “punch above their weight” in Libya. It is interesting that the nations he mentioned had all invested in U.S. systems, notably F-16 and F/A-18 aircraft. “In the Libya operation, Norway and Denmark have provided 12 percent of allied strike aircraft yet have struck about one third of the targets. Belgium and Canada are also making major contributions to the strike mission. These countries have, with their constrained resources, found ways to do the training, buy the equipment, and field the platforms necessary to make a credible military contribution.”

As usual, he makes a point but instead of going in for the kill (a trait common among too damn many bloggers in general and military bloggers in particular----when did being politically correct infect the military mind?) he vacillates and spins.

If only they spent money wiser.

Really?

Seriously?

It isn't about money its about mindset.  Goure knows this but instead gives NATO a fig leaf to hide behind.

I expected better but I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  Everyone knows that NATO is as dead as disco.  No one wants to say it out loud.

Cowards.

Most Americans against continued action in Libya.

Any US involvement in Libya is and was a mistake.  It now appears that most Americans agree with me.  This from Rasmussen Reports.

A plurality of voters now opposes further U.S. military action in Libya, and most say President Obama needs congressional approval to continue those operations.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the United States should continue its military actions in Libya. Forty-two percent (42%) are opposed  and 32% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This is outstanding news.

Americans are finally waking up to the fact that these foreign entanglements are draining our resources and allowing others a free ride.  Small realizations lead to changed policies. 

I'm loving it.

Modest proposal. Get protectionist with our defense spending.

Its time. 

Time to get protectionist with US defense spending.

We might not have the best product for a given task.

We might not have the best gear for our troops.

But it needs to be American made.  I'm a fan of the CV90.  I'm a fan of the Patria AMV.  I'm a fan of the Force Protection Europe Ocelot.

But our defense dollars need to be spent on and for US products.  Sad fact.  We are the biggest market in the world and every corporation in the world is trying to wiggle in on it.  Sad fact.  If we had even a semi functioning Attorney General Office, then all these mergers/acquisitions wouldn't have gone through.  We're allowing legalized monopolies that are destroying our defense base.  Sad fact.  Our gear will get the job done.  There is no need to go overseas for it.

Its time to play this game the way the Chinese, Europeans and other countries around the globe play it.  Free Trade is free for some but not for the US.  Want a strange take on things?  Read the Early Warning Blog.  On one of his posts he speaks up mightily for the Beechcraft product in the USAF light attack program vs. the offering from Embraer. 

What is that except protectionism?

Its mainstream and its right.  Time to protect US industry.

Modest proposal. SHUT down US European (all) Commands.

Modest proposal to piggy back on the SecDef's words to NATO...Shut down the European Commands and bring every service member home and shutter every base.

Shut down. 

US European Command.

US Army Europe.

US Air Force Europe.

US Navy Europe.

USMC Europe.


Why am I so convinced that this is the proper course of action?  Check out this chart from Wikipedia just covering USAF bases in Europe.  While you're looking at it consider the economic activity that could be generated from bringing just the USAF home, building housing for them and the extra business that would be generated in whatever base they're sent to.

Operating bases via Wikipedia.

The command has five main operating bases along with 80 geographically separated locations. These are:

United Kingdom RAF Lakenheath (48 FW) F-15E Strike Eagle (492 & 494 FS) F-15C/D Eagle (493 FS) HH-60G PaveHawk (56 RQS) RAF Mildenhall (100 ARW) KC-135 Stratotanker (351 ARS) 352d Special Operations Group (AFSOC tenant unit) MC-130P Combat Shadow (352 SOG) MC-130H Combat Talon II (352 SOG) RAF Alconbury

Italy Aviano AB (31 FW) F-16CG/DG (Block 40) (510 & 555 FS) Germany Spangdahlem AB (52 FW) F-16CJ/DJ (Block 50) Fighting Falcon (480 FS) A-10A/OA-10A Thunderbolt II (81 FS) Ramstein AB (86 AW) C-130J Hercules (37 AS) C-20H (76 AS) C-21A (76 AS) C-40B (76 AS)

Secondary and Support Facilities:

Belgium Chièvres Air Base (86 AW) C-37 Gulfstream V (309 AS) Bosnia-Herzegovina Tuzla Air Base (Det. 401 AEG) Cyprus RAF Akrotiri U-2S (part of deployed tenant unit from 9 RW of ACC) Germany Stuttgart-Echterdingen Airport (86 AW) C-21A (HQ USEUCOM) Hungary Taszar Air Base Italy San Vito dei Normanni Air Station Norway Sola Sea Air Station (426 ABS) Stavanger Air Station (Det. 426 ABS)

Portugal Lajes Air Station (65 ABW) Spain Morón Air Base (86 AW, 496 ABS) Turkey İzmir Air Base Ankara Air Station Incirlik Air Base (39 ABW) United Kingdom 501st Combat Support Wing RAF Alconbury RAF Alconbury (423 ABG) RAF Croughton (422 ABG) RAF Molesworth (423 ABG) RAF Upwood (423 ABG) RAF Welford (424 ABS) RAF Menwith Hill (421 ABG) RAF Fairford (420 ABG) Operated as surge base, particularly for U.S. based B-52s and B-1Bs

That my friends is just the USAF!

Bring all our forces home.  Let Europe be responsible for Europe and lets get some common sense back into our defense spending.

UPDATE:
Don't think that I would stop at shutting down bases in Europe.  I'm talking about a global re-alignment.  Shut down bases in S. Korea (they can handle N. Korea just fine thank you)...Shut down bases in Japan.  Guam is fine.  The only new base I would seek is one in the Northern Territories of Australia.  Northern Australia is lightly populated and I would ask the Australians if they would look kindly on a joint base housing Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Units on it.  I would also seek to make use of the vast terrain for training opportunities.

Mid Rats.

Want to hear what military bloggers have to say about the mess that is NATO?  Listen to Blog Talk radio.

UPDATE:

What a disappointment!  Little talk about NATO...and when it was covered the 'guest' sounded like an apologist for Russia.

When does the US ever get someone to ever speak up for our own interests?  This 'guest' also talked in glowing terms about NATO and stated that they need to aim for small wars!  If Libya isn't a small war then what the fuck is!

Even more of a kick in the nuts is the fact that the hosts didn't sufficiently challenge this guys assertions.  To be honest I felt like I was listening to a college lecture.  No debate, just opinion.  And liberal opinion at that.

What a complete 180 degree difference from the hosts writing. 

Never again will I invest an hour listening.  Never again.

The US SecDef---and Bloggers telling Europe an uwelcome truth.

As usual the Euros (yes I know you consider it money on the other side of the Atlantic--I'm using it as a collective nickname for the pacifist set) over at Think Defense are blaming everyone and there mother for the lack of European 'guts' when it comes to fighting a 9th rate power like Libya and coming up short.

In a nut shell.  Europe needs to man the fuck up.

Well, its just not me saying this...others are too...of course they're alot more diplomatic but the results are the same.  

European Defense is an oxymoron. 

First up... CDR Salamander's Website...

We have been too polite for too long.

Read the whole thing----please read the whole thing and follow his links.  He makes the argument much better than I ever could. 

And then this from DOD Buzz...

The defense secretary was even harsher in his critique of NATO’s command of the Libya operation. After an initial bombing campaign run by the Americans, the alliance took over the air war and Mr. Gates warned that NATO may not be up to the task.

“The mightiest military alliance in history is only eleven weeks into an operation against a poorly armed regime in a sparsely populated country — yet many allies are beginning to run short of munitions, requiring the U.S., once more, to make up the difference,” Mr. Gates said.

While the Libya war was unanimously endorsed by NATO nations, less than half are participating, and less than a third are carrying out strike missions.

“Frankly, many of those allies sitting on the sidelines do so not because they do not want to participate, but simply because they can’t,” Mr. Gates said. “The military capabilities simply aren’t there.”

NATO is a lost cause.  Its another of the many money pits that's draining the US treasury.  It's beyond time we put that old war horse out of its misery.

David's got awesome pics...check him out.

Plus he's in Southern Europe...they still like America down there and in the former Soviet States, so you won't have to read America bashing on his site!

EUROSATORY 2010 is now on.

Eurosatory 2010 is going on now and I can't find a major organization that's covering the going on's there.  The only people that appear to be making an effort is Defense Update and Army Recognition.

The photo below is taken from Army Recognition. Its suppose to be of a new Leopard 2A7.