Pentagon says it has reduced brigades in Europe from four to three

Key points

• The Department of Defense said Tuesday (May 19, 2026) it was reducing the number of U.S.
• troop brigades in Europe from four to three, taking the deployment back to 2021 levels, as Washington pressures the continent to do more for its own defense.
• The Pentagon "has reduced the total number of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) assigned to Europe from four to three," it said in a statement.
• A BCT comprises 4,000-4,700 personnel, according to a Congressional report.
• The statement said that the reduction was resulting in a "temporary delay" of the deployment of U.S.