U.S. lawmakers want aircraft in Europe until Russia backs down: Lawmakers want the Defense Department to not only halt retiring F-15 aircraft in Europe, but also halt removing all dual-capable aircraft from the European area of operation until the Defense Secretary confirms "armed forces of the Russian Federation are no longer occupying Ukrainian territory."
The provision is included in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to pass the House this week.
Russia must also comply with the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty — which the White House and NATO in July claimed Russia has violated since 2008 — and the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty.
But the aircraft could be removed from European Command if replaced by F-35 aircraft. However, the newest stealth fighters will not be operational until August 2016 at the earliest.
The language is intended to reassure NATO and partner nations the U.S. is steadfast to deter Russian aggression in the region. After Russia annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine in late February, the U.S. began a series of exercises — under Operation Atlantic Resolve — with Eastern European NATO members to reassure them that the alliance would defend them. The commander of U.S. Army Europe, Lt. Gen. Frederick "Ben" Hodges, recently said that the U.S. may add at least 100 more armored vehicles, including tanks, to Europe by the end of 2015.
