US Army to close four more facilities in Germany

24 August 2006

WASHINGTON – The US Defence Department announced Wednesday that it will close four small US Army facilities in Germany because they are no longer needed, another step toward closing a chapter of world history.

Since the end of the Cold War, the US military has gradually reduced its presence in Western Europe, especially in Germany, where the bulk of US forces were stationed to counter the Soviet threat.

The four installations are in the southern German towns of Aschaffenburg and Babenhausen. Their closure will affect 21 US service members, 44 US civilians and 20 local employees.

The facilities will be returned to the German government, the Pentagon statement said. The closure is expected to save 9 million dollars annually.

DPA

Subject: German news