Donald Trump visiting troops at the Ramstein military base at the end of 2018: The US President wants to withdraw around 5,000 soldiers from Germany. IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
Donald Trump is withdrawing troops from the Federal Republic. But what if Germany turned the tables and closed locations itself?
May 5, 2026, 10:06 p.mMay 5, 2026, 10:06 p.m
Julian Alexander Fischer / t-online
Donald Trump is making good on his threat and wants to withdraw 5,000 US soldiers from Germany within a year. The so-called Stryker Brigade in Vilseck in Upper Palatinate is apparently affected. More could be added to the 5,000 US soldiers. The US President said at times that he wanted to withdraw “far more” troops from Germany.
The German government has been calm so far. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius explains that the decision was “foreseeable”. He and others emphasize that Europeans must now take more responsibility for their own security.
There are also occasional considerations of breaking away from the USA even further and actively restricting the use of US bases. Theoretically it is even possible US locations in this country to be closed completely. Such a step would have significant effects on Trump’s war against Iran, but also other areas of operation of the US military. In addition, the possible closure of the military bases would also affect Germany itself.
Up to 39,000 US soldiers in Germany
There are currently between 35,000 and 39,000 US soldiers stationed in Germany, as well as 13,000 members of the Air Force. With around 20 locations, especially in the south and southwest, Germany is by far the most important partner state in Europe. Worldwide, only Japan has more US soldiers stationed outside the United States.
There are numerous headquarters in Germany that are responsible for planning and leading US military operations in Europe and Africa. Stuttgart, Wiesbaden and especially Ramstein are particularly important. The closure of one of these locations would pose a significant problem for the USA, especially with regard to US activities in the Middle East.
Stuttgart is home to the United States European Command (Eucom) and the United States Africa Command (Africom), the commands that are responsible for all commands in Europe and Africa. Meanwhile, the US Army Europe and Africa, which is responsible for all land operations on both continents, is based in Wiesbaden.
A loss of locations would be particularly striking for activities in Africa, as the USA has not yet found an African country on the continent that would accommodate a corresponding headquarters. Although there were earlier plans, they failed due to resistance from the African Union. The USA has to plan operations against Islamist groups in the Sahel zone or the Horn of Africa from Germany.
Ramstein as a linchpin for the US military
However, the Air Force base in Ramstein, which the US Air Force itself describes as a “Global Gateway”, appears to be almost indispensable. It is a central logistical and operational hub outside the USA. The location is almost indispensable for the relocation of troops and material to Africa and Eastern Europe.
US Air Force aircraft at the base in Ramstein. Image: keystone
However, the base is primarily an operational lever for US operations in the Middle East – from air transport and tank logistics to technical signal transmission, Ramstein is important for the military in every respect. Cargo and fighter aircraft can be easily relocated here; Operations planning, logistics and electronic transmission come together in Ramstein. Tanks, helicopters, soldiers, equipment and medical personnel usually make their way via Rhineland-Palatinate before reaching the Middle East.
Even at the beginning of the Iran war, Trump expressly praised Germany: “They let us land in certain areas, and we appreciate that, and they just make it comfortable for us.” Several military aircraft landed there and took off for the Middle East.
The largest US military hospital outside the United States is also located in Landstuhl near Ramstein. Wounded people from the Middle East are first flown here to be treated.
Ramstein is also indispensable for the use of drones in the Middle East, as they cannot be controlled directly from the USA due to the curvature of the earth. There is a relay station in Ramstein that passes signals on to the drones via satellite, enabling real-time control from the United States.
Loss would be difficult to absorb
Not far away in Rhineland-Palatinate is the Spangdahlem Air Base, which is apparently also important in the Iran war. Traffic there has increased since the beginning of the war. Several F-16 fighter jets are said to have been transferred from Spangdahlem to the Middle East. According to the specialist magazine “Air and Space Forces”, they will be used in Iran to combat anti-aircraft defenses. The BBC reported that the base was now operating “24 hours a day”.
A US Air Force F-35 fighter aircraft takes off from US Air Base Spangdahlem during an air force exercise.Image: keystone
Germany therefore plays an essential role for US activities in the Middle East, without which the US could hardly wage the current war in the way it does. The infrastructure here reduces time, cost and complexity in transportation, guidance and medical care.
Losing this location would not make the war in the Middle East impossible, but it would make it significantly more difficult. Alternative locations such as Italy, Poland or Great Britain could take over some of the tasks, but would require additional investments, longer flight routes and political effort. In addition, nowhere else has there been such a concentration of different skills as in Ramstein and Stuttgart.
Closing the locations would also have disadvantages for Germany
However, closing entire locations would also have significant effects on NATO. Ramstein serves as a command location for air and missile defense in Europe. The Büchel air base in Rhineland-Palatinate is also considered the only nuclear weapons site in Germany, even if neither the USA nor Germany have officially confirmed this.
The training areas in Grafenwöhr and Hohenfels are highly relevant for securing NATO’s eastern flank. Grafenwöhr is home to one of the largest and most modern military training areas in the world. Every year, thousands of NATO soldiers train at the locations in order to improve cross-border cooperation. Ukrainian armed forces are also trained here in the use of special weapons.
In general, aid to Ukraine would also change significantly and possibly restrict US involvement even further. Meanwhile, there is a planning center for Ukraine operations in Wiesbaden. A headquarters for the coordination of training and arms supplies for Ukraine is to be built here. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group also meets regularly in Ramstein and has become an important coordination body for Western military aid to Kiev.
Closing locations would not only significantly restrict US capabilities, but would also hinder our own interests. After all, Germany is one of the pioneers in supporting Ukraine. Closing essential training and coordination points would send an inappropriate signal.
Legally, closure would probably be possible
From a purely legal perspective, a unilateral closure on the German side would probably even be feasible. The residence treaty gives the USA a right to permanent residence of its troops in the old federal states. However, Germany can end this with a notice period of two years.
However, that is not realistic. Although the SPD is certainly discussing restricting the use of the sites, it is hardly conceivable that the federal government will fall out with the US government to this extent – also because it would have negative consequences for Germany. (fwa)