New bases in Bulgaria, Romania cost U.S. over $100M

[unhappycamper]

New bases in Bulgaria, Romania cost U.S. over $100M
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, October 17, 2009

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — The Pentagon is spending more than $100 million to build new military bases in Bulgaria and Romania, even as the Obama administration recently scrapped plans for a missile-defense shield in other parts of Eastern Europe.

Last month, the White House announced it no longer planned to base U.S. missiles and troops in Poland and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 U.S. troops — including two squadrons from the Vilseck, Germany-based 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment — were taking part in exercises in nearby Romania and Bulgaria.

The exercises, which began in late June, will run until the end of October.

Col. Gary Russ, commander of Joint Task Force-East, said nobody in Romania or Bulgaria has challenged what the U.S. is doing in those countries since the missile defense plan was scrapped.

"We have made commitments and they have never made any overt conversation along the lines of pulling out of JTF-East," said Russ, who leads the largest U.S. military contingent operating in Eastern Europe. "I think both of these (bases) illustrate great commitment (to Eastern Europe)."


Rest of article about the Empire's newest acquisitions at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=65438

[Selatius]

1. What is the point of those bases being there except that the Pentagon can simply do it?

It will do nothing but antagonize Russia.

[excess_3]

2. The 'stan, 3 billion a month .nt

[MadHound]

3. Apparently Obama feels the need to fund his masters in the MIC

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. Some 'change' eh?

x(

[Obamanaut]

4. I've been holding my breath, waiting for the promised change, but

I'll be needing a breath pretty soon.

We need those two bases. We've not reached 800 military sites in other countries yet, gotta keep trying. Insert sarcasm thingy here, I'm too winded.