BBC News recently ran an article following an interview with CINCUSAREUR LT GEN Hodges. He is concerned about Russia's ability, using interior lines, to rapidly deploy forces to Eastern Europe. Note well he's saying NATO needs to be able to do the same--on 3 days' notice. What's not said is how big that NATO force would be, but the time available to respond is eloquent on how small the dissuasion window is when it comes to countering a Russian buildup in preparation for an attack. In a March 7, 2016 DefenseNews interview, he had a lot to say about his plans, deficiencies and get-well program for his command. Finally, here is a July 15, 2016 interview he did with Jane's at Eurosatory 2016. In it, he describes a new US approach called Heel-to-Toe in which the current rotational model of leaving a Heavy Brigade equipment set in Europe and bringing in most of the personnel in a crisis will be replaced, come February, with a Heavy Brigade, equipped with all the newest gear and capabilities. Each such Brigade will be in-theater nine months and will seamlessly rotate back to the States, being replaced by another Heavy Brigade. This ensures a continuous deterrent presence. He also speaks of the recent Polish Exercise Anakonda, which saw some 31K NATO troops operating jointly and a 700-strong parachute drop by the French and British into Hohenfels, Germany. This is historic in that France has never done such a jump before with NATO.
Regards,
John Kettler