Spotlight on U.S. bases in Europe
President Trump has sought to use U.S. military bases in Europe for attacks on Iran – threatening Spain with a trade embargo after it refused. Other European allies are offering varying degrees of support
U.S. MILITARY BASES IN EUROPE
Airbase/other (U.S. control)
Ally control
NATO member

U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL* (2025)
Germany
36,436
Italy
12,662
UK
10,156
Spain
3,814
Türkiye
1,661
Belgium
1,118
Others
2,072
Total
67,919
*NATO members

GERMANY: Allows use of airbases. Offered political support, could also play defensive role in Mideast
UK: Initially refused but later permitted use of bases for “defensive” operations – attacking Iranian missile launch sites threatening UK allies in region
BELGIUM
Will lend military support only for defence purposes
Aviano
F-16s deployed to Mideast
ITALY
Sigonella allegedly already used for attacks
Ramstein
PORTUGAL Lajes Field (Azores)
SPAIN
Air-refuelling tankers relocated to Ramstein AB, Germany
Morón
NORWAY
ESTONIA
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
POLAND
HUNGARY
ROMANIA
BULGARIA
GREECE
Souda Bay
TÜRKIYE
Inçirlik
To Middle East
C17 transporters form logistics bridge
Sources: RFI, DMDC, ItaMilradar
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