Pentagon has ‘kicked off’ review of US force posture in Europe

The Pentagon has formally launched the Europe force posture review Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced last month, beginning a process to examine U.S. military troop presence, force posture and basing across Europe.

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby announced on X Tuesday that the Defense Department had “kicked off” the review Hegseth unveiled during the NATO defense ministerial in Brussels on June 18. Hegseth described the effort at the time as “a real review” of America’s force posture and basing in Europe.

Neither Hegseth’s announcement nor Colby’s statement announced troop reductions, unit movements or installation changes as part of the review. The Pentagon also has not said when the review’s recommendations will be released.

The review follows repeated calls by Trump administration officials for European allies to assume greater responsibility for NATO’s conventional defense as the administration reassesses U.S. force posture worldwide.

Hegseth said the review is expected to take up to six months, but it “could be less.” He shared that the review will include input from U.S. European Command as well as consultations with Congress and U.S. allies.

Colby said the review is designed to ensure NATO is “moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe taking primary responsibility for its conventional defense.” He explained the outcome of the review is intended to accelerate NATO’s transition to what he described as “a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable alliance.”

The Pentagon review aims to ensure U.S. force posture in Europe reflects the 2025 National Security Strategy and the 2026 National Defense Strategy. Colby said the department will develop a range of options based on “strategic rigor, a strong empirical baseline, and a clear sense of the geopolitical and military realities.”

Colby also said he looks forward to working closely with Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, on the review. He noted that the Defense Department plans to have “extensive consultations” with European allies, Congress and other parts of the U.S. government throughout the process.

Natalie Oliverio is an independent journalist and Navy veteran who covers military and veterans’ issues. Drawing on her experience as a talent executive and mentor, she writes about the policies, people and programs shaping the military community.

五角大楼已正式启动美国国防部长皮特·赫格塞斯上个月宣布的欧洲兵力部署评估，开始审查美国在欧洲的军事存在、兵力部署和基地情况。

负责政策的国防部副部长埃尔布里奇·科尔比周二宣布，国防部已“启动”了赫格塞斯于6月18日在布鲁塞尔举行的北约国防部长会议上公布的审查计划。赫格塞斯当时将这项工作描述为对美国在欧洲的兵力部署和基地建设的“真正审查”。

无论是赫格塞斯的声明还是科尔比的声明，都没有提及此次审查将涉及裁军、部队调动或驻地变更。五角大楼也尚未说明何时公布审查建议。

此次审查是在特朗普政府官员多次呼吁欧洲盟友承担北约常规防御更大责任之后进行的，与此同时，美国政府也在重新评估其在全球的军事部署。

赫格塞斯表示，此次审查预计需要六个月时间，但“也可能更短”。他还透露，审查将听取美国欧洲司令部的意见，并与国会和美国盟友进行磋商。

科尔比表示，此次审查旨在确保北约“快速且不可逆转地朝着欧洲承担其常规防御主要责任的方向发展”。他解释说，审查结果旨在加速北约向他所说的“更强大、更公平、更可持续的联盟”转型。

五角大楼的此次评估旨在确保美国在欧洲的兵力部署符合2025年国家安全战略和2026年国防战略。科尔比表示，国防部将基于“战略严谨性、强有力的实证基线以及对地缘政治和军事现实的清晰认识”制定一系列方案。

科尔比还表示，他期待与北约欧洲盟军最高司令亚历克西斯·格林克维奇将军就此次审查密切合作。他指出，国防部计划在整个过程中与欧洲盟国、国会以及美国政府其他部门进行“广泛磋商”。

娜塔莉·奥利维里奥是一位独立记者，也是一位海军退伍军人，她主要报道军事和退伍军人相关议题。凭借其作为人才主管和导师的经验，她撰写有关塑造军事社区的政策、人物和项目的文章。