Senator proposes permanent bases in Afghanistan

[deziloooooo]

With all respect to the Senator, we can't afford it # 1. If we did, and just boosted Kharzi and his non Government , non accepted by the majority of the Afghans populace , what's the purpose? If the populace did turn more to the Taliban and they became more legitimate, the accepted government in areas of Afghanistan , why would we need a base there? A threat to the accepted Government? Doesn't compute.
It's a mess there, Pakistan is a mess, weak Central government, even weaker after a large party just with drew from the government. The true power there, Pakistan, the Military, eat with us during the day, sleep with the Taliban at night. Will not allow us to attack those areas where the Taliban and el-Quida are yet still have their hands out for our precious so few $. 150,000 troops there now , of which 1/3 are allies who all want to and are going to go home soon, then what? More troops of ours to make up the difference?Estimated cost each troop when all costs are figured in, $250,000 per. We just don't have it.
The Senator sounds like most who don't have the final responsibility of actions and the cost of, great with the ideas , not so good with the costs of and ramifications.

[dmsm]

I would prefer the money be spent at home maybe fixing the vet hospitals or doing for those that are having trouble dealing with the aftermath of war. Another base? There? i think not.

[deziloooooo]

Just to show what a base might entail, take a look at this , brought up to date blog on the "Iraqui " New Embassy, {estimated cost over a billion}
Scroll throught the years of start up to this year, see the screw ups, the over runs and the mistakes in construction already, and don't forget, we are supposed to leave the country I believe in August of 2011.
The latest is Maliki, the PM, wants us gone, "A thank you for your service but don't let the door hit you as you exit, care ful there as you step out fellas/gals....how soon can you go again?"

www.danielpipes.org/blog/2004/03/the-largest-embassy-ever-run-by-any-country

[bobosensei]

Can someone explain the difference between having a permanent base in Afghanistan and the ones we have in Germany, Korea, and Japan?

I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ about it, I'm really curious. I agree we can't afford it.

I currently live on a German post that was scheduled to close a few years ago due to BRAC. The town is very small and the only businesses around depend on service members. They kicked and screamed loud enough and now we are an enduring post. I can't imagine how much money could be saved if they shut it down. We have at least 5 posts/bases within an hour drive. The military community is small enough that it could be supported by one of the existing installations without much extra cost. The only negative would be job losses, and that would mainly be for the local nationals working on the post.

[deziloooooo]

bob...times change as do alliances and dangers..yet to get rid of anything in the military is a bitch. Possible if our leaders sat down and asked the countries where many of these posts and bases are located at and if found really not needed any longer , except for local employment and the host countries asked to pay for the up keep of..we can't afford to any more..they would have us out of there in a sweet moment.
There is no longer a Soviet Union..Russia is what it is, not a threat to Europe any longer, even with their bluster at times.
Their threat is to threaten and at times to do, cutting off or slowing their energies they send to Europe. I am sure there are some bases still essential to us in particular, in Europe.
Air Bases, Medical facilities, maintenance bases, staging areas for other parts of that part of the world, thinking middle East..but I am sure 80% of them are of little value to us anymore, just a drain on our manning tables and the cost of up keep.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Bases in Germany, Japan, Korea (and elsewhere) are staffed by members of the Active Duty Army, Air Force, etc.

My concern is that a proposed base in Afghanistanc would be staffed in much the same way that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been staffed: using reserves and members of the National Guard ~ repeatedly, for multiple deployments.

[deziloooooo]

Once they are activated aren't they basically members of the active forces. I don't see the difference..point is billions of money spent, that we don't have, for a base and continual presence for eons of time . It is time to start looking at the overseas bases and keeping only those really needed for our own interests and that are still relevant. For over 60 years we have been in these commitments and over times , the missions and threats change. Yet the military does have a hard time letting go at times and thats when the civilians have to step in and make the military justify their wants . Here we have a civilian making a recommendation for more expenditures beyond the Billions that we are spending there now, and we just can not afford it.
We have many bases in Europe, that are there because of a enemy that is no longer a enemy, i's time to let go or get the host countries pay for their upkeep, if they feel they are essential to their defense and I know they will not do so.

[privateinvestor]

What Lindsay Graham is recommending is that our military needs a permanent base for any future flare ups in that region. But the question basically is the cost worth it?? The Pentagon budget is going to have to be reduced if the congress enacts the cost cutting proposals so who knows??

[floridayankee]

Jan 4, 2011 7:29:33 GMT -5 @privateinvestor said:

What Lindsay Graham is recommending is that our military needs a permanent base for any future flare ups in that region. But the question basically is the cost worth it?? The Pentagon budget is going to have to be reduced if the congress enacts the cost cutting proposals so who knows??

American interference in things that are none of our business is one of the main rallying points our enemies gather around. I agree that we need to decrease our world presence and interference in the affairs of other countries.

It's time we considered protecting our borders a little more and everyone else's a little less.

[deziloooooo]

I hope on the next Brac, and I agree with you, believe it is coming, the Bi Partison commission were suggsting $100 billion in military cuts, which entailed many things, from non needed weapons to obligations toward benefits of troops, but in there was more unnecessary base closings, and I am hoping they look very closly at the overseas bases. Those really essential, fine, we have interests but others, unless the countries were they are pick up most of the cost, and we would still be responsible for the salaries, other personnel expenses , then close them . Probably close them anyway, just can't afford them .{I don't expect $100 billion cuts from the military and according to the begginning thread article, Republicans don't want to touch military at all, from what I read into it}

[bobosensei]

Jan 4, 2011 6:47:55 GMT -5 deminmaine said:

Now that's just lovely. The last major military base left in my state closed this year due to BRAC. We didn't like the change, but we are dealing with it, and trying to bring new business into the closed Naval Air base. I'm thrilled to know that while we absorbed a blow to our local economy in order to further military economic efficiency, we also frivolously wasted more money keeping our former enemies in two world wars warm and secure.

It makes me sick to think about it honestly. I could go on and on about all the waste and excess and ungrateful, entitled people. I've found it just gives me high blood pressure and doesn't change a thing.

[deziloooooo]

Bobosen---can you mention what the base your living on is there for? Purpose? Mission..??

[handyman2]

I thought Graham was smarter than that. Well he just proved me wrong. He is a Senator I should have known better.

[bobosensei]

Well I thought we were just a regular brigade combat team, but I was looking around the internet and apparently we are the largest concentration of combat soldiers located outside of the US.

[deziloooooo]

Think I found it Bobo...
www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/baumholder.htm

Not saying it should be closed, not my expertise of course..this looks important , but all the bases are there for a reason, the thing is..can we afford them as a country any more, is there a bonified threat were they are that the Bases are needed where they are. Yes the Russians might want to come throught the Gap but what is the reality of that, and could they afford that today...and why, like Europe is so prosperouse??
At least we founf where you are, LOL, nice duty and hope you are taking advantage of it.

[warsaw (banned)]

I think we should cut the Defense budget a lot, stop selling so many arms, cut our bases where they're no longer needed , bribe the Israelis and Palestinians to behave, double foreign aid, and MAYBE have a couple bases in Afghan if they want...

[deziloooooo]

Think we help with our costs of the weapons when we sell overseas..especially the expensive systems,..then out cost decrease..economics of scale.
Do you mean give them away..ther your correct.

[The Home 6]

We had a permanent base in Kuwait after the first Gulf War that was only given back to the Kuwaiti government in 2005.

I think it's naive to believe that we will EVER leave Iraq and Afghanistan. There will always be some troops there, maybe not in a combat capacity, but they are going to be there.

[floridayankee]

Jan 4, 2011 23:55:33 GMT -5 warsaw (banned) said:

and MAYBE have a couple bases in Afghan if they want...

I'd go so far as to say that any country that wants a US Military presence on a base in their country should pay the full cost of maintaining that base (to our standards, not theirs)...and perhaps a surcharge on top of that.

[handyman2]

The problem with having a base permanatly in Afganistan is that they will never be a friendly country to outsiders. Just ask the Russians.
Bases we have in other countries are friendlies for the most part. But in the muslum countries we are not welcome and it would be a constant conflict. We do not need that nor can afford it.

[privateinvestor]

Handyman 2 I just gave you your first Karma point.....but remember this base in Afghanistan will also be called on for humanitarian purposes in the Afghan to changed the hearts and minds of the Afghans which could be a daunting task with the Taliban roaming around free as a bird to do their thing..

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

...why don't we go manifest destiny on them and annex one of the 'stans already?

[bobosensei]

Jan 5, 2011 8:39:45 GMT -5 Ratchets said:

Hey Bobo, you got a great assignment there if you enjoy travelling. Make sure you get up to Trier, and the Koln (Cologne) Cathedral is impressive regardless of your religious beliefs. Fasching is coming up too, if you haven't done that yet it's worth it at least once - just bring a designated driver because they are pretty loose with the free booze lol.

Home 6 - yeah, that region of the world is just too important. I know they were planning to turn Al Udeid into a permanent party base like 5 years ago. Not too sure I would take the family, would have to put some thought into that one. Yeah, we are always going to have troops in that area though as long as we buy oil from the region...just like Korea, sixty years later we still have troops there.

I've been to Trier a half dozen times. It is beautiful and there is so much history. Koln is on my list of places to visit soon just to see the church.

Last year DH and I took the train to Mainz and stumbled into a huge fasching celebration. It was great to see the people dressed up and to eat the good food and drink the good beer.

[privateinvestor]

BTW The Marines announced yesterday the are sending another Combat Team to the Afghan consisting or @ 1450 Marines to the southern sectors of Afghanistan... the drawdown or pullout is still scheduled for 2014 and there will be a proposal then to decide whether a permanent base is necessary. My best guess is YES for whateve that is worth??

[Deleted]

Another foreign base?? In a country we pretend is friendly, but really it is not? hmmm........ I think they just want Americans out of there so they can go back to right where they were before we came in. I could be wrong-- I hope so. I do not see any strong Muslim nation outreach to the USA. Just saying.........
Why not just save the money and surround our own country with troops to stop the onslaught from the southern border??
Of course, I do not know the logistics of this, nor will I believe them when I am told what they are IF we end up having a permanent base there.

[robbase]

we will not be totally leaving Afghanistan or Iraq anytime soon, we will maintain some sort of presence for quite a while

we still have not totally left South Korea, Germany, Japan, etc.

[deziloooooo]

Feb 23, 2011 21:19:44 GMT -5 @robbase said:

we will not be totally leaving Afghanistan or Iraq anytime soon, we will maintain some sort of presence for quite a while

we still have not totally left South Korea, Germany, Japan, etc.

Definitly a presence in Afganistan..no matter the POTUS more because of el Quida in Pakistan and because of pakistan.
Iraqq, we are supposed to be out next August unlss the Iraqui government requests us to stay..that's a iffy..though with what is happening in the middle east ..who knows.