WIESBADEN, Germany -- As announced by the German Federal Ministry of Defence, U.S. Army Europe's next chief of staff will be a general officer from the Bundeswehr, Brig. Gen. Markus Laubenthal. In this capacity, Laubenthal will synchronize the activities of the USAREUR staff in much the same manner as his American predecessors have done. Laubenthal has already been receiving initial briefings from the USAREUR staff and is expected to report to duty full time on or about August 4.
"This is a bold and major step forward in USAREUR's commitment to operating in a multinational environment with our German allies. U.S. and German senior military leaders have been serving together in NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan for years. Sustaining the shared capability from this experience will benefit both U.S. and German armies. As you know, actions speak louder than words, and this innovation carries a very strong message regarding our seriousness about a multinational team. I look forward to working with Brig. Gen. Laubenthal and seeing the tremendous impact his presence will have on the team," said Lt. Gen. Donald Campbell Jr., USAREUR commanding general.
Laubenthal is looking forward to his new assignment. "I view my new duties as chief of staff with interest and respect. As the commander of Panzerbrigade 12 (12th Armored Brigade) 'Oberpfalz', I have always valued the joint exercises with our partnership unit, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck. I am therefore even more pleased to continue this close cooperation in a new and unique way in Wiesbaden. I am sure that I can use the experience I gained in the German Army supporting the training of ready army forces, in my new position with USAREUR."
Immediately prior to this assignment, Laubenthal served as the commander of the 12th Armored Brigade in Amberg and the chief of staff for ISAF Regional Command North in Afghanistan. Among several command and staff assignments in Germany, he also served as military assistant to the deputy commander of operations and assistant chief of staff for operations for the Kosovo Force.
NOTE: For questions pertaining to USAREUR, call (49) 0611-705-3075 or e-mail usarmyeurope.contact@mail.mil. For questions pertaining to the Bundeswehr,call the Presse- und Informationszentrum des Heeres, Liegenschaft Nord, at (49) 33-41-58-1522 or e-mail kdohpizhpresse@bundeswehr.org.
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