U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta returns the salute of U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Mueller, vice commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, after arriving on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 3, 2012. Panetta traveled to Ramstein and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center to visit patients, and thank service members directly involved with the transportation and care of wounded warriors. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeleyPanetta Says US Military Not Abandoning Europe -- Boston.com/AP
MUNICH, Germany—U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is reassuring Europe that it remains central to U.S. defense interests, even as the Obama administration is withdrawing two of the four Army brigades stationed on the continent.
In a speech Saturday to an international security conference, Panetta emphasized the positive. He says Europe is America's security partner of choice for military operations and diplomacy around the world.
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