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"Warfare is a human endeavor. We don’t do it alone any longer, we do it with allies…And our allies that are with us in Afghanistan are here in Europe…Our Soldiers have a unique opportunity now to gain a cultural understanding."

- Brig. Gen. Steven L. Salazar, commanding general, 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command

"Every opportunity to teach medicine is also an opportunity for the instructor to learn the material better. Consequently, Medical Civil Military Operations activities like these are a win-win for everyone involved; U.S. and Iraqi medical providers alike reinforce their medical skills."

- Capt. Tisha Bridge, 1st Inf. Div. physician assistant, speaking about the Neonatal Resuscitation Training provided to local Iraqi physicians as part of the U.S. forces shift of focus from operations to advising during the Iraq Drawdown

Charity helps Army teach proper prenatal care

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August 2010

Anti Terrorism Awareness Month

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Aug 26: Women's Equality Day See related website: Women in the U.S. Army

Aug 31: End of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF); Transition to Stability Operations

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Grafenwoehr Training Area

What is it?

On June 30, 2010, the Grafenwoehr Training Area (GTA) celebrated its 100th anniversary, however, the training area remains relevant to today's fight using live, virtual, simulated, constructive, and gaming tools with video and GPS capabilities that enhances training, and provides immediate feedback. Since 1946, the U.S. Army has transformed a training legacy, which began with the Bavarian army into challenging and comprehensive training, often between Soldiers of the U.S. Army and its European and African allies in support of NATO missions in Afghanistan.

On any given day U.S. and multinational units conduct small-arms qualifications, vehicle gunnery, live-fire, airborne operations and aviation gunnery on ranges in GTA in Grafenwoehr, Germany, while also learning tactics for counter-improvised explosive device, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) training, full-spectrum operations, and hybrid threat missions.

What has the Army done?

The Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC) is the U.S. Army's European-based training support command, and today, the GTA provides realistic training for U.S. Soldiers and multinational partners. The on-going support to Afghanistan and Iraq has demonstrated the importance of allied and partner assistance in decreasing U.S. operational requirements in theater, while ensuring diplomacy and good-will among European and African nations.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

The JMTC provides resident expertise and training capabilities that provides training and training support for Soldier and leader development, which improves interoperability between U.S. and partner nations. This support builds the vital trust needed to successfully accomplish current objectives in Afghanistan, and collectively prepares Soldiers for the complex and uncertain challenges of the future.

On-going mission support to ISAF is currently from about 46 different troop contributing nations (TCNs). The JMTC provides training to 37 of 45 TCNs. Each nation must receive comparable-training to guarantee mission success. Through current partnership opportunities, the JMTC ensures U.S. forces and TCNs are prepared for missions supporting operations in Afghanistan.

Why is this important to the Army?

As forces continue to serve as part of multinational operations, it is important for U.S. Soldiers to maximize opportunities to train with the allies. Because of proximity to other European nations and Africa, the JMTC is ideally postured to provide state-of-the-art training and build partner capacity for current operations.

Resources:

Explore the military history of the Grafenwoehr Training Area

Joint Multinational Training Command

JMTC Training Journal

Related article: Training surge at Grafenwoehr, Hohenfels to prepare Europe's forces for Afghanistan mission