SEMBACH, Germany -- The U.S. Army Installation Management Command Europe officially transferred from Heidelberg to Sembach during an uncasing of the unit colors at its new headquarters on Sembach Kaserne.
The IMCOM Europe move is part of the U.S. Army's transformation in Europe which will include the closing of U.S. Army facilities in Heidelberg.
"IMCOM Europe is preparing for the future today by consolidating, divesting and investing here in Europe," said Kathleen Y. Marin, director of IMCOM Europe. "IMCOM Europe's move to Sembach is part of that process.
"We are rapidly consolidating cold war era installations into hubs of excellence, one of which is here in U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern. Consolidation not only decreases the space between us, it decreases our costs, our footprint, and increases convenience for our stakeholders.
"We are also answering the call to fiscal discipline and smart governance by divesting ourselves of installations, facilities, and services that have served their purpose. While some may see this as the decline of IMCOM Europe's presence, we know this is a necessary and prudent optimization of capability.
"While our footprint decreases, our commitment to mission support and world class customer service remains and is strengthened. But sustaining capability now and in the future will also require investment in order to support USAREUR well into the 21st century.
"Energy efficient housing, biomass and solar energy production, consolidated facilities, and key renovations will set the foundation for a more efficient and effective presence alongside our European allies for the next generation."
Equipment and facilities do not make a great Army, said Marin. "'People are the strength of our Army,'" she said, quoting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno.
"People like the Soldiers joining us here today. People like the spouses that make their service possible. People like our host nation partners who understand that freedom takes cooperation and sacrifice. People are the strength of our Army, and IMCOM Europe's strength is in sustaining people.
"We are the light that comes on to wake a child for their first day of school. We are the warmth surrounding a soldier in her barracks room after a winter field rotation. We are the smiling face greeting you at the gate and keeping you safe. We are the letter in the mailbox letting your child know they were accepted to college. We are all these things and much more.
"We are IMCOM Europe, and we are the Army's home in Europe," she said.
IMCOM Europe was originally activated as Installation Management Agency Europe on Oct. 7, 2002 in Heidelberg.
IMCOM Europe oversees all facets of U.S. Army installation support in Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands, including environmental programs, construction, family, morale, welfare and recreation, family care, force protection, logistics, and public works, as well as the planning, programming and budget matters that provide the resources for these functions.