Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN591
2009-05-19 15:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
URGENT REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE ON U.S. AIR FORCE
how-toO 191558Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4139 INFO AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY HQ USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE PRIORITY JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000591
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS NATO GM
SUBJECT: URGENT REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE ON U.S. AIR FORCE
COMBAT AIR FORCES RESTRUCTURING PLAN
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JOHN KOENIG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000591
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS NATO GM
SUBJECT: URGENT REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE ON U.S. AIR FORCE
COMBAT AIR FORCES RESTRUCTURING PLAN
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JOHN KOENIG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (U) This is an urgent action request. See para 3.
2. (C) U.S. AIR FORCE Public Affairs in Washington issued a
press release on May 18, announcing plans to retire
approximately 250 aircraft from the U.S. inventory, including
18 F-16s currently deployed at Spangdahlem AIR Base in
Germany. While we understand that these plans are not yet
final and still require higher-level review and approval, the
press release does not make that clear. It gives the
impression that this is already a done deal. We are
concerned that German authorities could claim that we are not
abiding by our long-standing commitment to pre-notify such
force changes via the host nation notification procedures
outlined in CJCS Staff Instruction 2300.02E, dated 29
February 2008.
3. (C) We therefore request immediate guidance on how we
should explain and characterize the U.S. AIR FORCE
announcement so that any potential misunderstandings
concerning the planned withdrawal of the F-16 squadron at
Spangdahlem can be avoided. We also seek instructions
enabling us to reaffirm to the German authorities that we
will follow established host nation notification procedures
in this case and other possible cases in the future.
Koenig
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS NATO GM
SUBJECT: URGENT REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE ON U.S. AIR FORCE
COMBAT AIR FORCES RESTRUCTURING PLAN
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JOHN KOENIG. REASONS: 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (U) This is an urgent action request. See para 3.
2. (C) U.S. AIR FORCE Public Affairs in Washington issued a
press release on May 18, announcing plans to retire
approximately 250 aircraft from the U.S. inventory, including
18 F-16s currently deployed at Spangdahlem AIR Base in
Germany. While we understand that these plans are not yet
final and still require higher-level review and approval, the
press release does not make that clear. It gives the
impression that this is already a done deal. We are
concerned that German authorities could claim that we are not
abiding by our long-standing commitment to pre-notify such
force changes via the host nation notification procedures
outlined in CJCS Staff Instruction 2300.02E, dated 29
February 2008.
3. (C) We therefore request immediate guidance on how we
should explain and characterize the U.S. AIR FORCE
announcement so that any potential misunderstandings
concerning the planned withdrawal of the F-16 squadron at
Spangdahlem can be avoided. We also seek instructions
enabling us to reaffirm to the German authorities that we
will follow established host nation notification procedures
in this case and other possible cases in the future.
Koenig