2022 Year in Review: U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz

By Nicole Alberico, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Public AffairsDecember 28, 2022

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Change of Command
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mr. Tommy R. Mize, Installation Management Command-Europe director passes the unit colors to Col. Reid E. Furman, U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz commander during a change of command ceremony, July 22, 2022, at Kaiserslautern, Germany. Furman assumed command of the unit from Lt. Col. Jeremy A. McHugh. (U.S. Army Photo by Elisabeth Paqué) (Photo Credit: Elisabeth Paqué) VIEW ORIGINAL
2022 German-American Friendship Concert
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In celebration of German-American camaraderie, more than 450 people gathered at Kaiserslautern's historical Fruchthalle Monday night for the 8th annual

German-American Friendship Concert hosted by U.S. Army Garrison

Rheinland-Pfalz and performed by the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band and

Chorus.

After the band played an opening number, Garrison Commander Col. Reid Furman formally welcomed the concert-goers.

"Tonight we celebrate the relationships we have developed throughout the

years, and cherish this opportunity to interact as friends and neighbors,"

said Reid. "It is with our sincere gratitude that we take this opportunity

to say thank you to this great city and its people, who provide a

home-away-from-home for our military members, civilians and families."

In 2014, the United States Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, in cooperation

with the United States Army Europe and Africa Band and Chorus, created the

friendship concert to celebrate the long-standing German-American

partnership within the State of Rheinland-Pfalz.

The concert is held every year on German Unity Day - October 3. (Photo Credit: Nicole Alberico)
VIEW ORIGINAL
Commander commemorates 40th anniversary of the Chinook Crash in Mannheim
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Garrison Commander Col. Reid E. Furman commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Chinook Crash in Mannheim. On Sept. 11, 1982, a Chinook helicopter departing from the Mannheim Airfield crash landed on the Federal Highway 656 while on a demonstration jump in recognition of the 375th anniversary of the awarding of city rights to Mannheim. 46 passengers died including 23 French, nine British, six Germans, and eight Americans, including the five-person crew and two AFN reporters. Every year on this anniversary, family members of the victims lay wreaths and pay their respects. Photo by Petra Lessoing, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Public Affairs. (Photo Credit: Nicole Alberico) VIEW ORIGINAL
First of its kind apprentice program kicks off
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The garrison's apprenticeship program - the first of it's kind at USAG RP history - kicked off Sept. 1. Six German students officially started their three-year program by meeting Garrison Commander Col. Reid Furman. Four of the six apprentices will rotate amongst the directorates in administrative roles while two will be in a trades program at Baumholder Military Community. (Photo Credit: Nicole Alberico) VIEW ORIGINAL
Mayor Bernd Alsfasser delivering opening remarks at the Baumholder 70th anniversary dinner.
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Baumholder District Mayor Bernd Alsfasser delivering his opening remarks at the Baumholder 70th anniversary celebration dinner. (Photo Credit: Mary Del Rosario) VIEW ORIGINAL

The pandemic and other events that marked the end of 2021 rolled into 2022 but the garrison rolled on being a People First ‘Ready Garrison’ as the year progressed.

January kicked off with meeting a major goal: The much anticipated smart metering program where nearly 700 utility meters were installed throughout the garrison started producing targeted data making the garrison’s energy savings efforts more efficient. Those smart meters proved crucial in the coming months.

In February, NATO’s Eastern Flank – including garrison sites in Romania and Bulgaria, became critical hotspots as the crisis in Ukraine unfolded. Employees from across the garrison deployed to Army Support Activity-Black Sea in support of allied partners. ASA-BS’s Anti-Terrorism/Force protection team showcased “Ready Garrison” capabilities when they successfully completed a tabletop exercise with partners from Belgium, France, Romania and the United Kingdom. The exercise also formally activated the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania, Installation Operations Center.

While support was being poured into Romania and Bulgaria, the garrison, particularly its Headquarters and Headquarters Company excelled at hosting Installation Management Command – Europe’s Best Warrior Competition. Twelve Soldiers from around IMCOM-Europe gathered in Baumholder for four days to test themselves physically and mentally while competing amongst IMCOM-Europe’s best at all aspects of soldiering.

July proved to be a busy month as it kicked off with a much-anticipated celebration of Americans in Baumholder. Because of the pandemic, the official 70th Anniversary was quietly recognized in December 2022 but after 70 years what’s a few more months to give such a milestone the recognition and celebration it deserved. Regardless when the celebration hit, the garrison remains committed to our valuable German-American partnerships and only strengthen as the years go on.

About three weeks later, the garrison welcomed a new commander. With a pass of the official colors, Col. Reid E. Furman and his family became the latest members of garrison family.

Fall welcomed another new first for the garrison. In an effort to recruit the next generation of local nationals, the garrison launched its apprentice program. Six students from the Kaiserslautern and Baumholder communities started working in various trades and administrative positions.

For the first time in years, the garrison’s and the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus was able to properly host its largest community relations event, the German- American Friendship Concert. About 500 attended the annual event that is held on the German reunification holiday.

Host nation relations didn’t end there. Throughout the year, garrison leadership in the Baumholder and Kaiserslautern Military communities paid their respects at several key German memorial holidays. Leadership paid respect at National Day of Mourning wreath laying ceremonies, the Chinook crash at Mannheim airport and a visit to the American Kindergraves in Kaiserslautern.

As the calendar rolls into the New Year, and 2023 rolls in, the garrison will continue to take care of the Army’s greatest asset – its people.