EUCOM 101

Mr. Alex Hannagan

A560 – European Security
13 April 2017
Agenda
• EUCOM Today

• Quick Facts

• Security Environment

• Evolving Threats

• Evolving Priorities

• Current Initiatives

• Questions
EUCOM Today
Mission Statement
“USEUCOM prepares ready forces, ensures strategic access, deters conflict, enables the NATO
Alliance, strengthens partnerships, and counters transnational threats to protect and defend the
United States.” -2015 Theater Strategy

Vision Statement
“EUCOM is engaged, postured, and ready with forward deployed U.S. forces. We will enable and
execute a full range of military missions and exercises in concert with our indispensable European
allies and partners to secure U.S. national interests and support a Europe that is whole, free, and at
peace.” -2015 & 2017 Theater Strategy

Reality
“We still have no long-term vision for force posture in Europe.” -Senator John McCain, 23 March
2017

“We must not only match, but outpace the modernization advances of our adversaries.” -GEN
Curtis Scaparrotti, 28 March 2017
 Quick Facts
• EUCOM is responsible for relations with NATO and 51
countries encompassing one billion people
• Covers 10.7 million miles2 (27.7 million km2) of land and
13 million miles2 (33.6 million km2) of sea

• 62,000 Servicemembers in Europe, of which 52,500

directly support EUCOM
• Army: 25,000
• Air Force: 28,000
• Navy/Marine Corps: 8,500
• 100,000 family members

• Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany

• Apx. 250 consigned or leased sites across 28
“communities” and 14 countries ranging from a single
radar antenna to Ramstein AFB, the biggest American
community outside the United States

• The CDR, USEUCOM is also the Supreme Allied GEN Curtis M. Scaparrotti
Commander, NATO Commanding General, USEUCOM
Security Environment
“In the East, a resurgent Russia has turned from partner to antagonist. Countries along Russia’s
periphery, especially Ukraine and Georgia, are under threat from Moscow’s malign influence and
military aggression.

In the Southeast, strategic drivers of instability converge on key allies, especially Turkey, which has
to simultaneously manage Russia, terrorists, and refugee flows.

In the South, violent extremists and transnational criminal elements spawn terror and corruption
from North Africa to the Middle East, while refugees and migrants fleeing persecution to Europe in
search of security and opportunity.

In the High North, Russia is reasserting its military prowess and positioning itself for strategic
advantage in the Arctic.”

General Curtis M. Scaparrotti

Senate Committee on Armed Services
23 March 2017
Perceived Threats, Then and Now
2015 2017
Russia Russia
Foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) Radicals and violent extremists
Mass migration Regional unrest leading to refugee and migrant flows
Lingering effects from financial crisis
Underfunded defense budgets

“Russia is attempting to exert its influence, expand its power, and discredit the capability and relevance of the
West.”

“ISIS has made its intentions clear: it seeks to overthrow Western civilization and establish a world-wide
caliphate.”

“Although the flow of refugees to Europe has slowed, the refugee situation remains a significant challenge to our
European Allies and partners. The strain on the social systems of European nations, especially along the
Mediterranean Sea, diverts resources that could otherwise go toward military and defense spending, and finding
solutions has tested political relationships.”

-GEN Scaparrotti, 23 March 2017

Evolving Priorities
Some remains relatively the same… …but now there’s Russia.
2015 2017 2015 2017
“Agility” “Adapt to a Complex “A Fully Enabled NATO” “Deter Russia”
and Dynamic Strategic “Whole of Government “Develop Resilient
Environment” Approach” Servicemembers, Civilians, and
“Capable, Ready, “Ensure Postured and Families”
and Postured Ready Forces”
Forces”
“Close Partnerships “Strengthen Strategic
with European Partnerships”
Allies”

“This Army implementation plan continues

to demonstrate our strong and balanced approach to
reassuring our NATO Allies and Partners in the wake
of an aggressive Russia in Eastern Europe
and elsewhere.”

GEN Phil Breedlove

Source: U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(Then) CDR, USEUCOM
30 March 2016
Current EUCOM Initiatives
“The European Reassurance Initiative supports high-end exercises and training, improved infrastructure,
and enhanced prepositioning of equipment and supplies, while State Department and DOD funds build partner
capacity throughout Europe.” -GEN Scaparrotti, 23 March 2017

Launched in 2014, the ERI has a budget of $3.42B in 2017. In addition to Operation Atlantic Resolve, the fund
supports 28 annual multi-national exercises and training for 28,000 US and 45,000 NATO/Partnership for
Peace personnel.

“The Russian Strategic Initiative provides a framework for understanding the Russian threat and a forum
for coordinating efforts and requirements. RSI allows us to maximize the deterrent value of our activities while
avoiding inadvertent escalation.” -GEN Scaparrotti, 23 March 2017

The European Phased Adapted Approach defends NATO from ballistic missile threats. Current
operational deployments and transitions include Aegis Ashore in Romania (completed, under NATO control)
and Poland (schedule completion in 2018).

The Enhanced Forward Presence has expanded in 2017 following Defense Cooperation Agreements with
the Baltic States in addition to Poland.
What Does It Mean to Deter Russia?
Questions?
References
EUCOM Mission and Priorities:
http://www.eucom.mil/mission

2017 EUCOM Theater Strategy:

http://www.eucom.mil/mission/eucom-2017-posture-statement

2015 EUCOM Theater Strategy:

http://eucom.dodlive.mil/2016/01/eucom-announces-updated-theater-strategy/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_
medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20Campaign&utm_term=*Situation%20Report

Vandiver, John. “EUCOM chief wants more troops, ships, and planes.” Stars and Stripes. March 23, 2017.
https://www.stripes.com/news/eucom-chief-wants-more-troops-ships-and-planes-1.460272#.WO7uVaK1vZt

Parrish, Karen. “Russian Actions Spur Eucom’s Shift From Engagement to Deterrence.” DoD News. Defense
Media Activity. March 28, 2017.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1132595/russian-actions-spur-eucoms-shift-from-engagement-t
o-deterrence

U.S. European Command. “EUCOM Announces European Reassurance Initiative Implementation Plan.” U.S.
Mission to NATO. March 30, 2016.
https://nato.usmission.gov/eucom-announces-european-reassurance-initiative-implementation-plan/