WIESBADEN, Germany -- The U.S. Army's 5th Signal Command (Theater) will inactivate at a ceremony Aug. 4, 2017, at 10 a.m. in front of the Command's headquarters building on Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden.
The inactivation is a result of directed funding and force structure cuts made throughout the Department of Defense announced November 2016 (https://www.army.mil/article/177825). The Theater Signal Restructure and Reinvestment is U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command's effort to transform and streamline overseas theater Signal mission command structure. This plan eliminates a layer of mission command by consolidating support functions at the NETCOM headquarters elements and theater signal brigade, and reinvests manpower and resources into supporting five core functions -- network planning, network engineering, network operations, network intelligence and cybersecurity.
The mission of 5th Sig. Cmd. is to build, operate and defend network capabilities to enable mission command and create tactical, operational and strategic flexibility for the Army, joint and multinational forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility.
The command traces its heritage to the U.S. Army Signal Command Europe, organized under U.S. Army Europe General Order dated March 20, 1958, which consolidated military communications in the European Theater. 5th Sig. Cmd. was activated July 1, 1974, in Schwetzingen, before moving to Worms the following month. The command's headquarters later moved from Worms to Mannheim in 1996, then to its current location in Wiesbaden in 2009.
The following is a statement from Col. Charles "Rob" Parker, commander of 5th Sig. Cmd. and the U.S. Army Europe chief information officer/G-6:
"Over the years, partnerships between the US military and the communities in which we live and operate have often grown into friendships and ultimately, into inseparable bonds of mutual commitment, respect and support. For the 5th Signal Command, the bonds of friendship with the Bundeswehr and local German communities has never been stronger.
"On Friday, we will officially inactivate the 5th Signal Command by casing its colors. And with that final act, we will regrettably bring this chapter of a magnificent book to a close. But as with any really good book, the next chapter awaits and perhaps even others are yet unwritten for the legacy of the US Army's Signal forces in Europe."
Parker and other senior Army leaders, including several former 5th Sig. Cmd. commanders, will be available for interview following the ceremony.
For more information about the inactivation ceremony or to inquire about media coverage opportunities, please contact Will King, 2nd Theater Signal Brigade public affairs officer, at +49 (0) 611-143-565-0086 or william.b.king30.civ@mail.mil.
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2nd Theater Signal Brigade conducts Department of Defense Information Network operations to enable mission command in support of U.S. Army, Joint and multinational operations throughout the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of operation.
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