From Italy to Germany: 405th AFSB prepares for transfer of European Activity Set

By Steven J. Stanfill, 405th AFSB Public AffairsNovember 1, 2013

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LIVORNO, Italy -- Personnel from the 405th Army Field Support Brigade and its battalion in Germany accelerated preparations designed to reorganize European pre-positioned stocks this fall.

The European Activity Set is a custom tailored pre-positioned stock, configured to support the European Rotational and Northern American Treaty Organization Response Forces. The creation evolved from the Defense Planning Guidance direction of rotational forces to reinvigorate U.S. participation in the NRF and trains U.S. rotational forces in a multinational training environment.

The 405th AFSB and the Army Field Support Battalion - Germany serve as the lead Army Materiel Command elements in Europe assigned to establish the equipment set, build a sustainment workforce and manage future support requirements. The planning began in early 2012 with the first use of the EAS scheduled for the 3rd quarter of fiscal year 2014.

The 405th AFSB is one of seven brigades of the Army Sustainment Command, headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. ASC supports Army and joint forces in support of the combat commanders around the world.

"The battalion has begun loading the first set of rolling stock and major end items from Army Prepositioning Stocks in Livorno to become part of the EAS," said Lt. Col. Mark Gray, commander, AFSBn-Italy. "This equipment and this rotational force fulfill the secretary of defense's and the nation's commitment to our NATO allies to leave capable combat forces in Europe to promote stability and partnership in the region."

The equipment is being transferred from the APS set in Livorno, Italy, to the APS set in Grafenwoehr, Germany, in order to provide equipment for use by units training in Germany, and preserve and maintain readiness of unit home station equipment. The equipment will also maintain and improve individual Soldier proficiencies as well as refine skills comprising the Mission Essential Task List.

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