It is the most concrete announcement yet of a reduction in the US military presence in Europe, and comes after months of complaints from Washington that the region is not doing enough to support the Americans in Iran and ensure its own security.
The following are some of the key details about the US military presence in Europe, as reported by Reuters.
How many American soldiers are in Europe?
The United States had approximately 68,000 military personnel permanently deployed at its overseas bases in Europe as of December 2025, according to data from the US Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC).
This does not include rotational forces deployed as part of force deployment operations and exercises. The US military is deployed at 31 permanent bases and at another 19 military locations to which the Department of Defense has access as of March 2024, according to a congressional report, reports Hina.
What makes up US forces in Europe?
US Forces Europe Command (USEUCOM) oversees US military operations across Europe, cooperating with NATO allies through six commands representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Special Operations Forces, and the newly established Space Force. These components are based in Germany and Italy, and are focused on crisis response and security cooperation across Europe and Africa.
Where are these soldiers stationed?
American soldiers are stationed in more than a dozen European countries, mostly in Germany, Italy and Britain.
Germany – The largest American base in Europe is the air base near the German city of Ramstein, where soldiers have been stationed since 1952. In southern Germany, US Army Garrison Bavaria, headquartered in Grafenwoehr, is the main training center for forces in Europe. According to DMDC data, as of December 2025, 36,436 soldiers were stationed in Germany, divided into five garrisons.
Italy – US military personnel have been stationed in Italy since the end of World War II and include the Army, Navy and Air Force divisions. DMDC data show that at the end of 2025, Italy hosted 12,662 soldiers at bases in Vicenza, Aviano, Naples and Sicily.
Britain – US forces in the United Kingdom numbered 10,156 troops in December last year, stationed at three bases, housing mostly air force personnel.
Spain – This country hosts US Navy and Air Force bases near the Strait of Gibraltar. DMDC data shows that as of December 2025, 3,814 soldiers were permanently deployed to Spain.
Poland – Poland hosts 369 permanently assigned troops, as well as about 10,000 rotational forces funded through the European Deterrence Initiative, according to data from the DMDC and the Congressional Research Service. Personnel are located at four US temporary access bases.
Romania – Similar to Poland and other former communist bloc countries, Romania hosts a rotating presence of US forces with 153 permanently assigned troops, according to DMDC and the Congressional Research Service. Bases to which the US has access include Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Campia Turzii and Deveselu.
Hungary – The US conducts rotational force deployments and exercises in Hungary. The DMDC said in December that the country hosted 77 permanently assigned soldiers stationed at two bases, Kecskemet and Papa Air Base.
(Vijesti.ba)
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