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View Full Version : US to Increase Military Presence in Greece




Swordsmyth
09-05-2018, 09:04 PM
The U.S. is looking at further expanding its military presence in Greece (http://www.defensenews.com/smr/nato-priorities/2018/06/14/whats-the-united-states-biggest-priority-for-the-nato-summit/), including increasing access for U.S. aircraft and ships, and increasing joint exercises there, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford (http://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/09/03/top-us-general-departs-for-pakistan-india-to-bolster-afghanistan-strategy/) said Tuesday. “If you look at geography, and you look at current operations in Libya, and you look at current operations in Syria (http://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2018/08/31/the-looming-final-battle-for-syrias-rebels-a-look-at-whats-ahead/), you look at potential other operations in the eastern Mediterranean, the geography of Greece and the opportunities here are pretty significant,” Dunford said.


U.S. officials who briefed reporters traveling with Dunford said no specific bases have been identified, but that Supreme Allied Commander Europe Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti is evaluating several options for increased U.S. flight training, port calls to do forward-based ship repairs and additional multilateral exercises. “Those are discussions that Gen. Scap and others are having right now, as they look around the region in terms of where they want to put forces” within the next five to 10 years, one official said.


The welcome mat for an expanded U.S. presence comes as Greece faces increasing uncertainty over its relationships with Russia and Turkey, the official said.


Greece has “been looking around this neighborhood and recognizing the same instability ... that we have" the official said. “They’ve always had a nervousness about their NATO ally Turkey.”


Dunford said an increased use of Greek bases was not tied to U.S. relations with Turkey, and that the U.S. expects that its use of Incirlik Air Base will continue.



However, U.S.-Turkey relations have deteriorated significantly over the last several years over disagreements about U.S. policy in Syria, the 2016 failed coup in Turkey and Turkey’s pursuit of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.


This month lawyers for the Turkish government have sought to halt U.S. flights departing Incirlik, (https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/08/09/turkish-lawyers-want-to-raid-incirlik-air-base-and-arrest-us-air-force-officers/)as they pursue U.S. Air Force officers they allege were connected to the 2016 coup attempt.



More at: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/09/04/us-greece-look-at-increasing-military-presence-amid-tension-with-turkey/




Dunford said an increased use of Greek bases was not tied to U.S. relations with Turkey
:tears:

TER
09-05-2018, 09:07 PM
This is going to infuriate Erdogan the Terrible.

I give it a big thumbs up!

oyarde
09-05-2018, 09:19 PM
Ya , I would have volunteered for duty in Greece . LOL