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sked what his analysis of Russia’s recent withdrawal from the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty means for US Air Forces in Europe and NATO efforts, USAFE boss Gen. Tom Hobbins told a Capitol Hill crowd that he plans to continue with business as usual. Military to military relations between USAFE and Russia are “very, very strong” right now, he noted, and downplayed the encirclement fears that the Kremlin has been touting. “There is a great fear by the Russians about NATO encirclement,” Hobbins said. “When we look at the types of facilities we’re building, we’re not a threat to the Russians,” he said. NATO is using the facilities primarily for training activities, he explained, adding that his command continues to look for more ways to exercise together, to build relationships and leverage strengths. Hobbins said he recently spoke with the Russian air chief about ways to cooperate, particularly regarding a Russian strength—military airlift.
The U.S. sent Air Force F-16s over central Syria in a show of force following the Dec. 13 killing of two U.S. Army Soldiers and one American civilian interpreter by a gunman linked to the Islamic State group.
