US to cut fighters, warships from NATO mission in Europe

The United States plans to start cutting dozens of aircraft and several warships assigned to NATO operations in Europe, the latest move in a series of cuts to the American military presence on the continent.

The New York Times first reported on the cuts, citing European defense officials and parts of a written document shared by the United States with its allies. On Friday, NATO said that it is aware of the planned changes, and positioned it as a shift in the “balance of responsibility.”

However, according to the report it would impact NATO’s surveillance and long-range strike capabilities. The plan calls for reducing the number of F-15 and F-16 fighter jets from Europe by a third, from around 150 to 100, as well as dropping maritime reconnaissance aircraft from 26 to 15. Additionally, the United States would also move a bomber group, a submarine and carrier strike group.

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U.S. European Command had discussed reductions earlier this month, with European Command U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich saying the NATO Force Model had “an unhealthy co-dependence” on American forces. However the specifics of the plan were not released. Neither the New York Times report or NATO specified the exact timeline, though the former said it will “take effect very soon.”

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said in a statement on Friday that the “change strengthens NATO’s defense plans by reducing over-dependence on one Ally and is a reflection of a broader shift happening within the Alliance.”

“This is about putting NATO on a more sustainable footing for the decades to come,” Hart said.

The Air Force has F-16 units based in Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany and Aviano Air Base in Italy. F-15s are primarily based out of RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, with several fighter jets from the 48th Fighter Wing having deployed to the Middle East in recent years as a part of American military build ups and operations against Iran.

The planned cuts to NATO contributions comes after the United States stopped several large troop deployments to Europe in support of the NATO mission in recent weeks. The reduction came amid tensions between President Donald Trump and Germany’s leadership over the American war with Iran. Roughly 4,000 soldiers from 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division were set to start a months-long rotation in Europe, but that was canceled on May 1, even with some advance troops already sent to Poland.

The same May 1 memo that canceled their deployment also blocked the deployment of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment. That unit, a long-range fire battalion, was created explicitly to be sent to and eventually based out of Germany. The Pentagon announced plans to cut 5,000 troops from Germany that month, and hinted at possible wider cuts in Europe. A few weeks later, Trump announced plans to send thousands of more troops to Poland, although it was unclear if they would come from the United States or if American personnel already in Europe would relocate.

Since 2022, the United States has had an increased presence in Europe, rotating in several units to central and eastern Europe as part of Operation Absolute Resolve in support of NATO.