Baumholder is home away from home for Swift Response 15

By Ignacio "Iggy" RubalcavaAugust 24, 2015

Gaming, shooing pool, texting
Soldiers from NATO nations participating in Swift Response 15 spend some of their down time gaming, shooting pool and texting at Baumholder's Warrior Zone on Smith Barracks. Swift Response is comprised of airborne units from the 82nd Airborne Divisio... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and 10 NATO nations participating in Swift Response 15, the largest Allied airborne training exercise in Europe since the end of the Cold War, are getting all the base support they need from members of the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz in the Baumholder Military Community.

"We are basically providing them a place to stay as they go about their training here and at other locations in Europe," said Bruce Likens, Baumholder's Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security site lead.

The goal of the exercise is to test and demonstrate the alliance's capacity to rapidly deploy and operate in support of maintaining a strong and secure Europe.

"Swift Response also provides us the opportunity to not only test our Infrastructure and base operations but to actually employ the procedures we would use during a real contingency," said Likens.

Preparations to support Swift Response began well before the troops arrived. Sleeping cots were ordered and barracks and administrative buildings were checked and prepped by the Directorate of Public Works. Inspections were conducted by Baumholder's fire department to ensure the safety of the Soldiers while occupying the facilities. Even Baumholder's housing office got involved by inventorying all the barracks and preparing the documentation for units to sign for the buildings and property. Motor pools were also readied for units to park their tactical vehicles.

Now that the Soldiers are here, they have the array of Baumholder's Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities such as the Java Café, Bowling Center, Hall of Champions and more, at their disposal. Troops have access to everything from Baumholder's premier Warrior Zone, to free WiFi at several MWR facilities. To ensure maximum access for the troops, operating hours at the Hall of Champions Fitness Center, the Mountaineer Gym and the Warrior Zone have been extended.

"We recognized the need to extend our operating hours so these facilities are keeping their doors open longer throughout their stay," said Ingrid Osewalt, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation coordinator. "Aside from extending our hours, all of our other MWR services are providing their normal day-to-day support, which is being received with great approval by our visitors," said Osewalt.

One of Baumholder's two dining facilities has been dedicated exclusively for use by Soldiers participating in Swift Response and the 21st Theater Sustainment Command constructed an extra feeding tent to accommodate the overflow of troops during peak meal periods. Additional showers and latrines were also installed by the 21st TSC to accommodate the influx of troops.

"Our team of experts began preparing for the arrival of the troops well in advance but now that they are here we're not letting up. We're continuing to provide daily ongoing base support and we'll continue to do so throughout their stay at Baumholder," said Likens.

7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command, a Baumholder tenant unit and provider of all things pertaining to Soldier training, constructed a platform on Baumholder's Minick field for the Soldiers to practice their parachute landing fall techniques. Additional Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems, or MILES equipment, was also procured by JMTC to accommodate the training needs of Soldiers participating in Swift Response.

The Baumholder military community has come together to provide the Soldiers of Swift Response more than just rooms and a place to train. The entire base support network is providing them with a home away from home.