 Huge ammo shipment to Europe for U.S. troops Nordenham, Germany (UPI) Nov 10, 2016 - The U.S. Army has sent more than 600 shipping containers of ammunition to Europe, its largest single shipment in more than 20 years. The Army and Air Force ammunition arrived at the port in Nordenham, Germany, late last month and was transported to the Miesau Army Depot, Germany, for storage and distribution to U.S. Forces. "The shipment by itself is special because it's over 620 containers," said Lt. Col. Brad Culligan, commander, 838th Transportation Battalion, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. "We continue to build up the presence in Europe. This will help with reassuring our allies, along with the common defense of Europe if needed." Added said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general, U.S. Army Europe: "This is about deterrence, We could have 1,000 tanks over here, but if we didn't have the ammunition for them, they would not have any deterrent effect. It's another example of the commitment of the United States to security and stability in Europe." The ammunition was moved from the United States aboard a Military Sea Lift Command vessel, the Army said. Russia's recent annexation of Crimea and its intentions toward Ukraine has raised security anxiety in Europe.
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U.S. Foreign military sales in fiscal 2016 reached a total of $33.6 billion, according to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
DSCA, which manages the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, announced that the total includes $2.9 billion of Foreign Military Financing-funded cases; $5.0 billion in Building Partner Capacity-funded cases; and $25.7 billion funded by partner nations.
"Fiscal Year 2016 sales were strong and demonstrate that the FMS process is responsive," said DSCA Director Vice Adm. Joseph Rixey. "Whether a sale is 'counted' under one fiscal year or the next is dependent on when each case is implemented, so comparison of the year-to-year totals can be misleading. Instead, when you examine the three-year moving sales averages, you can see the continuing, growing sales-trend over the last decade.
"This year's totals indicate that our partners continue to seek the quality products and services we offer."
Some of the largest sales for the year include over $3 billion for P8-A Poseidon aircraft for the United Kingdom and $1.15 billion for Abrams tanks and HERCULES armored vehicles for Saudi Arabia.
FMS is a form of security assistance authorized by the Arms Export Control Act. It allows the sale of defense article and services, and military training to foreign countries and international organizations.
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