Initial EAS forward sites announced

By Ms. Cathy Vandermaarel (USAREUR)December 1, 2015

European Activity Set
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WIESBADEN, Germany -- U.S. Army Europe and Army Materiel Command will begin storing portions of the European Activity Set at three initial forward locations in December 2015 with plans to expand to additional countries at a later date.

The EAS is approximately 12,000 pieces of equipment being stored in Europe for U.S.-based rotational forces to use when training in Europe. The equipment is currently being stored at the Coleman Worksite near Mannheim, Germany. The first EAS storage sites will be at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania; Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria; and Mumaiciai, Lithuania. Sites in other countries are planned in the future.

Storing U.S. equipment within Allied and partner nations allows Regionally Allocated Forces easier access to that equipment when and where it is needed for training, which saves time, resources, and potentially U.S. taxpayer dollars.

U.S. Army Europe conducted extensive research into equipment and personnel training requirements and locations that could support the EAS Positioning Concept. Major considerations included current and possible base infrastructure and proximity to training locations. Army Materiel Command, our Allied and partner nations, U.S. embassies, and other interested parties were consulted before recommendations were made to Gen. Phillip Breedlove, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and U.S. European Command Commander. The decision was then ratified and announced by the U.S. Secretary of Defense last summer and formal negotiations and agreements were made with the respective host nations.

Allies allowing us to store and maintain equipment in their countries is a clear example of the depth of our relationships and commitment to our collective security.

Equipment sets at each site are as follows:

Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania: ~700 pieces

Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria: ~500 pieces

Mumaiciai, Lithuania: ~200 pieces

Grafenwoehr, Germany: ~2,000 pieces

Coleman Worksite, Germany: ~8,600 pieces

About us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51 country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.