Hello USAREUR Team,
As many of you know I've been highlighting Gen. Raymond T. Odierno's strategic priorities, and the one I want to discuss this month is one at which our team excels.
Our ability to be globally responsive and remain regionally engaged on a daily basis is the reason why the U.S. Army maintains a forward presence here in Europe.
First, let's review our globally responsive force.
As we downsize, transition, and then sustain a smaller, but ready and capable Total Army, we can more efficiently provide joint and combined forces with expeditionary and enduring land power for the range of military operations.
This then allows us to feature unique competencies such as operational leadership, mobility, command and control, and theater logistics at all echelons.
Maintaining a responsive force posture and effective network of installations and capabilities here in Europe serves to protect U.S. interests and those of our allies. That's why, by 2017, our leaner and more agile force will be comprised of about 30,000 Soldiers concentrated in seven communities.
Second, as a regionally engaged Army in Europe, we build trust, develop relationships, and gain access through the rotation of CONUS-based forces, multinational exercises, mil-to-mil engagements, coalition training and many other opportunities.
Many of these events happen at our own Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), the only combat training center located outside of the continental United States. Here are just a few examples, by the numbers, of how USAREUR remains regionally engaged every day:
- Over 60,000 U.S. and allied Soldiers train at JMRC annually
- Over 20,000 allied and partner nation personnel have participated in USAREUR-led exercises since 2005
- 26 of the 49 nations contributing to the coalition forces of the International Security Assistance Force are NATO allies from Europe
- Over 1,000 personnel from 26 countries developed counterinsurgency intelligence, analysis and operational skills with the assistance of USAREUR personnel and facilities
In addition to those engagements, as we look toward the future, operations post-ISAF give this command the opportunity to look at staying regionally engaged in more creative ways, to include computer simulation.
We are also able to use other NATO members' facilities through the great relationships and interoperability developed over the years.
I'm proud of the hard work, professionalism and commitment of our team to remain a globally responsive and regionally engaged force.
Strong Soldiers, Strong Teams!
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