Due to the vulnerability of West Germany to Soviet attack, USAF planners did not want any new tactical air units moved into the U.S.

The United States Army also established a significant presence in France, and was responsible for much air base construction and maintenance.

The State Department, the United States Department of Defense, and Air Force carefully managed the news about the American departure from France, and the attendant problems of an integrated NATO air defense for western Europe and the decrease in tactical airpower.

[1] Due to the U.S. media focus on the Vietnam War, the removal of foreign, mainly US, NATO forces from France went virtually unreported in the US.

The last USAF activities were the 1630th Air Base Squadron at Orly Airport and the Paris Administration Office.