USACE, USAREUR break ground on command, battle center

By Ms. Rachel V Goodspeed (USACE)January 21, 2010

Construction on the 89 million euro command and battle center will be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District. The 21st Century consolidated operation center will be set up with the latest technology to allow for mission planning,...
Construction on the 89 million euro command and battle center will be managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District. The 21st Century consolidated operation center will be set up with the latest technology to allow for mission planning,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN ARMY AIRFIELD, Germany - In about three years, Army engineers will transform a small parade field into the "nerve center" of mission planning, execution and communications for U.S. Army Europe.

Construction on the 89 million euro command and battle center, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District, commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony here January 19, hosted by the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden.

The 285,000-square-foot, three-story facility will allow the USAREUR command staff to oversee all aspects of unit operations anywhere in Europe, said Col. John Kem, Europe District commander.

"When complete in approximately three years, it will showcase clearly the importance of having the right equipment - and in this case the right building - to accomplish the mission," he said. "It is truly an important part of our Army's transformation."

The 21st Century consolidated operation center will be set up with the latest technology with up to 1,000 individual work stations and numerous collaborative work areas and conference rooms planned, Kem added. Not only will the theater-style center provide the latest communications, automation and planning tools, it will also be flexible enough to allow the staff to tailor the area for specific missions and monitoring functions.

In addition, a three-story parking garage will be constructed nearby to provide parking for over 1,000 vehicles - a structure that is in high demand on the airfield, Kem said.

"I would like to take this opportunity to praise the excellent coordination and exceptional team effort among the USAREUR staff, Wiesbaden garrison and the host nation agencies in getting the construction of this command and battle center off the ground," he said.

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