MUNSTER, Germany — The U.S. will contribute weapons, aircraft and forces, including commandos, for NATO’s rapid reaction force, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Monday, to help Europe defend against security threats, including Russia from the east and violent extremists from the south.
Under the plan, the U.S. will contribute intelligence and surveillance capabilities, special operations forces, logistics, transport aircraft, and a range of weapons support that could include bombers, fighters and ship-based missiles. It would not provide a large ground force.
Carter announced the new details about the U.S. contribution after meeting with defense ministers from Germany, Norway and the Netherlands. Those countries had agreed to provide the initial troops for the so-called high-readiness task force, which was announced last year at the NATO summit in Wales. The U.S. had pledged to support the task force, but NATO has been waiting to hear specifically what America was willing to provide.
U.S. officials said there have been no final decisions on the number of troops that could participate or where they could come from. The officials said many of the forces could come from those already in Europe. But the plan could result in a temporary increase in U.S. forces in Europe in the event of a crisis, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
No U.S. troops or equipment will move immediately. They would be made available within 48 to 72 hours if requested, and approved by American leaders, in response to a crisis. Officials said the top U.S. commander in Europe, currently Gen. Phil Breedlove, would make the request for any troops or equipment needed.
Carter said the U.S. is contributing aid “because the United States is deeply committed to the defense of Europe, as we have been for decades.”
His remarks in Munster came shortly after he delivered a speech in Berlin, calling for Germany and other NATO allies to stand together in the face of Russian aggression and other security threats in the region.
