The Pentagon is disputing a report by the Overseas Basing Commission that found the Defense Department’s plans for military transformation were shortsighted, devised in a vacuum, and being rushed into place.
According to the commission, which was chartered to advise Congress, the Pentagon’s transformation plans proposed for 2006-2011 call for too much, too soon.
But a Pentagon official on Monday said that the plan to move thousands of troops, their families and equipment from overseas to the United States has been well deliberated by members of Congress, overseas host nations, security experts and others.
“All along the way, in not one of those negotiations did anyone raise any caution about the pace with which we were moving forward,” said Ryan Henry, the principal deputy undersecretary for policy, during a news conference.
“They, as we, saw it as deliberate, thoughtful and flexible.”
Among the commission’s concerns:
Diplomacy — The removal of troops from nations that have been old allies, such as removing the 1st Infantry and 1st Armored divisions from Germany, could cause a loss of American influence there. Simultaneously, the U.S. military would be entering “with some trepidation” into new relationships with other nations, such as ones in Eastern Europe and Africa.Strategy — The removal of heavy units from Europe, for example, could leave the continent susceptible to a conventional attack. America’s commitment to the NATO military alliance could also be seen as weakened.Mobility — If troops and equipment were moved to the States, there could be inadequate sealift and airlift assets abroad to help bring them into battle.Timing — The commission suggested that decisions on stateside base closings and realignments be made before the plans for overseas basing become firmly cast. That way, stateside bases and communities would be better prepared to receive troops, families and equipment from overseas.Broadmindedness — The Defense Department’s plan has been devised, according to the commission, without adequate input from experts in homeland security, diplomacy, energy, finance and other areas. Nor does it have adequate input from the American people through their elected representatives in Congress.“We believe that at some time, too much activity in too short of time threatens to change transformation into turbulence,” the commission concluded.
The Overseas Basing Commission is made up of six men — four retired flag officers and two top business executives — who serve as independent analysts of the Bush administration’s plan for military transformation.
Its claim that transformation planning has been too narrowly focused was also disputed by the Pentagon. Henry, the Pentagon official, said planning has included all interested parties, noting the many briefings that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and his commanders have given to Congress members and their staff.
“In every step of the way, we did consultations with them,” Henry said. “In fact, much of the strategy in the global defense posture has been refined by inputs that we have gotten from the State Department.”
Read the report at: www.obc.gov, and click on the “reports” tab.
