NATO: Winging Toward Change

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De Gaulle's tampering with the European balance of power was producing results even before he took off for Moscow. Last week U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara announced that eight squadrons of American aircraft—ranging from troop-toting transports to camera-carrying reconnaissance planes —would be withdrawn from French bases and restationed at High Wycombe in England and at undisclosed bases on the Continent. The move will displace 7,500 U.S. Air Force personnel and 15,000 dependents. It could cost the U.S. $500 million.

Over the next few years it will cost France at least that much in greenbacks not spent by U.S. servicemen. But De Gaulle obviously feels the prestige is worth the price. As part of his bargaining with West Germany over the ultimate disposition of French forces beyond the Rhine, De Gaulle announced the withdrawal of 75 French fighter-bombers from Germany—despite the fact that bilateral talks over the French presence are still under Way. Like it or not, the Western alliance was winging toward change.