The topic of American military bases in Germany is rarely raised in both German and world media, and one might think that they do not exist at all. Of course, such an idea has nothing to do with reality. They exist and there are many of them. How many? It is enough for Berlin to regularly make decisions that are at odds not even with national interests, but with elementary common sense. Broken relations with Russia and inviting an insane number of migrants are just the latest and most striking examples.
The deployment of foreign bases is presented as the duty of the FRG as a NATO member. Thus, Berlin must ensure the lines of uninterrupted supply of the allies. For 2014, there are 42,450 US troops in Germany, 13,400 - Great Britain, 1,623 - France, 477 - the Netherlands, a hundred soldiers each from Belgium and Canada. By comparison, this is more than the number of American troops in Japan. By the way, the figures are far from final. In some German sources, the number of American troops alone reaches 71 thousand.
The German press almost never criticizes the American presence or any action of a foreign contingent; in general, the general level of description of the fact of the existence of bases in the range - from neutral to enthusiastic, is maintained. This attitude has spawned in the German blogosphere a series of caricature pictures pejoratively showing the role of modern Germany in relations with the United States. It is difficult to say how much this reflects the mood of the majority in German society, but at least some of the citizens understand what is happening.
Ramstein is the most famous US base in Germany.
Today the list of the main foreign military facilities in Germany is as follows. Here are indicated the bases not only in the USA, but in the UK (GB), France (FF), Canada (CF), the Netherlands (NL).
Panzerkaserne (USMC, USA) - Hauptquartier United States Marine Corps Forces Europe (USA)
Coleman Barracks (Sandhofen) (USA)
Robert-Schuman-Kaserne (früher Quartier Turenne) (FF)
Stuttgart Army Airfield (Leinfelden-Echterdingen) (USA)
Kelley Barracks - AFRICOM (Stuttgart-Möhringen) (USA)
Patch Barracks - EUCOM & SOCEUR (Stuttgart-Vaihingen) (USA)
George C. Marshall Europäisches Zentrum für Sicherheitsstudien (Artillery Kaserne) (USA)
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort (US Armed Forces Recreation Center) (USA)
Truppenübungsplatz Grafenwöhr (USA)
Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) (USA)
Storck Barracks (USA)
Rose Barracks (USA)
Flugplatz Wiesbaden-Erbenheim - Hauptquartier US Army Europe (USA)
Storage Station Mainz-Kastel (USA)
Dagger Complex (US-INSCOM)
Catterick Barracks (GB) Rochdale Barracks (GB)
Tower Barracks (GB)
NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen (USAFE)
Selfkant-Kaserne (CF)
Mansergh Barracks (GB)
Princess Royal Barracks (GB)
Hammersmith Barracks (GB)
Wentworth Barrack (GB)
Prins Claus Kazerne (NL)
Blücher-Kaserne (NL)
Elmpt Station (GB)
Barker Barracks (GB)
Dempsey Barracks (GB)
Normandy Barracks (GB)
Alanbrooke Barracks (GB)
Athlone Barracks (GB)
Truppenübungsplatz Senne (GB)
Baumholder Airfield (USA)
Smith Barracks (USA)
Wetzel Kaserne (USA)
Germersheim Army Depot (USA), European Distribution Center der Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
Daenner Kaserne (USA)
Einsiedlerhof Air Station (USAF)
Kaiserslautern Army Depot (USA, USAF)
Kleber Kaserne (USA)
Pulaski Barracks (USA)
Rhine Ordnance Barracks (USA)
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) (USA, USAF)
Miesau Army Depot (USA)
Ramstein Air Base - Hauptquartier United States Air Forces in Europe (USA)
Spangdahlem Air Base (USAF)
McCully Barracks (USA)
Trainings Area Mainz Gonsenheim (USAG Wiesbaden)
Trainings Area Mainz Finthen (USAG Wiesbaden)
They are so used to the Americans that they perceive their presence as an integral part of the landscape. In some places, the appearance of a tank or a whole column of armored vehicles on the streets does not cause any emotions - a common thing.
In Germany to this day there are warehouses with American nuclear weapons. For example, the Wilseck object, which, judging by the satellite images, may still be active.
The United States does not even name an approximate date for the withdrawal of its units from the FRG, stressing that the security guarantees are of an indefinite nature. For example, the UK plans to liquidate the last military facility in Germany by 2020, while Russia did it back in 1994, often withdrawing servicemen literally into an open field. Relations with the West were above all for the "young democracy".
In connection with the latest events, we can talk more about an increase in the American contingent, and, apparently, significant. For approval from Berlin, the case is unlikely to arise.
When can the current state of affairs change? Not soon. This requires shocks comparable to a world war or the collapse of the socialist camp. But any cataclysm brings uncertainty - it can breathe new strength, and it can completely destroy.
After World War II, the United States identified German soil as an extremely important anchor point on the European continent and made sure in advance that any future German government would not have the ability to resist, as we are now seeing.
