BAUMHOLDER, Germany — American and German military officials have reached an agreement that will keep a reduced number of German soldiers, airmen and sailors guarding American bases into September.

The new agreement, which may be extended, marks a sharp policy reversal for the German government, which had stated German troops would leave American bases Jan. 1, 2005.

Instead, about 600 German soldiers will be portioned out to 11 American military bases and facilities in eight locations across Germany, according to a spokesman with the German Ministry of Defense.

Those getting supplemental security include:

Ramstein Air Base, the major U.S. military air hub in EuropeSpangdahlem Air BaseSembach Air Base, which is now a housing and billeting area for Ramstein.Wiesbaden Army Airfield, headquarters for the 1st Armored DivisionMannheim, headquarters for several Army operations including the 21st Transportation Support CommandDarmstadt, near Frankfurt (Cambrai-Fritsch Casern and Kelley Barracks)The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in GarmischThe new agreement decreases the number of German troops available to provide security at U.S. bases to about 600 from as many as 3,000 in 2004, according to the Ministry of Defense spokesman.

The number of German military personnel guarding U.S. bases appears headed toward a gradual phase-out, though the German presence will continue at least nine months longer than German officials announced last year.

Moreover, U.S. and German officials say German troops may be available in the future to augment security on an as-needed basis, such as during major deployments for Germany-based American troops, pending negotiations.

“We do conduct periodic meetings with the German government and may negotiate further with them should the situation require,” said Lt. Col. Jane Crichton, chief, media relations, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs, a point confirmed by the German Defense Ministry spokesman.

USAREUR officials declined to discuss the specifics of the rules of engagement for guards at installations but stated that the overall level of protection is not affected by the departure of German soldiers.

The German army, or Bundeswehr, is the largest in Europe, with about 234,000 soldiers, according to The World Reference Atlas.

Germany’s total military numbers about 340,000. But during a period of defense spending cuts, Germany has about 8,000 troops deployed to peacekeeping missions in countries including Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo, and has agreed to commit a small number of soldiers to the NATO forces training the new Iraqi army.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, German authorities provided about 800 soldiers to augment security at American bases, and to free up American personnel. U.S. bases have limited security options during deployments because rear detachments typically have a handful of soldiers who must continue to provide services for families, Crichton said. That leaves bringing in Reserve or National Guard soldiers, contract security personnel or German troops, she said.

Though U.S.-German relations were strained by the Iraq invasion, the German government upped the number of its troops guarding U.S. bases to about 2,500 in 2003 after the deployment of Germany-based American units including the 1st Armored Division.

But last May, Peter Struck, the German defense minister, stated that as of Jan. 1, 2005, German soldiers would no longer guard U.S. bases.

Just why the Germans agreed to stay is not clear.

The German Ministry of Defense spokesman characterized the new agreement as military-to-military, and not formally linked to fence-mending meetings last month between by President Bush and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Crichton emphasized that American military officials meet “periodically” with German counterparts on such issues.

“The negotiating process is alive and well,” Crichton said.

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