US European Command General Wants Troops to 'Deter Russia'

The general in charge of U.S. military operations in Europe said Tuesday more troops are needed there to counter an increasingly aggressive Russia.

Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, head of U.S. European Command, told lawmakers U.S. force posture — which includes two brigade combat teams and one rotational brigade in Europe — must increase over time.

"Russia's posture is not a light force; it's a heavy force," Scaparrotti told a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing, describing the need for additional engineers, aviation and fire support personnel to strengthen the U.S. force, Stars and Stripes reported.

"In order to have the posture that is both credible and of the right composition, we need more armored forces . . . to make sure that we do have a force of enough size that enables us to deter Russia," he added, per The Hill.

Scaparrotti also said lawmakers should consider sending more "enablers" to Europe, such as engineers and aviation brigades.

And he echoed President Donald Trump's calls for NATO partners to invest in some capabilities, particularly resources needed to move troops and equipment to the battlefield, such as rail and fuel-storage facilities, which have declined since the Cold War ended more than 25 years ago, Stars and Stripes reported.

"We need to be able to move with some agility," he said. "Five or six years ago, we weren't concerned about being ready [to fight] today. That has changed."

The U.S. military has about 62,000 troops in Europe today, down from a Cold War high of 300,000, The Hill reported.

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