U.S. Army in Europe Transformation
What is it'
Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of the Army, announced on April 8, 2011 that U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) will be comprised of three Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) as well as V Corps, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, 5th Signal Command, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade and other key enabling units. This mix of BCTs, combined with other capability enhancements, will re-balance U.S. force posture in Europe to be more capable, more effective, and better aligned with current and future security challenges. Those challenges include USAREUR's unique role in leading the ground effort in building allied and partner nations' capacity in support of global requirements.
What has the Army done'
Between 1989 and 2003, the Army in Europe closed about 70 percent of its facilities and reduced nearly 70 percent of its Soldiers, from 213,000 to 62,000.
Since 2003, <a href="http://www.eur.army.mil/" target="_blank">USAREUR</a> has continued to reduce its size by one third, from 62,000 Soldiers to about 42,000 today, and closed nearly half of its remaining installations.
In the process, USAREUR transformed from a heavy force postured to win a land war on the plains of Europe to an agile, modern, rapidly deployable force capable of providing training counterparts for our allies and partners. At the same time, USAREUR restructured and transformed its logistics and personnel assets to a modular and expeditionary structure, and its aviation assets into a Combat Aviation Brigade.
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'
USAREUR will return the 1st Armored Division headquarters to the United States and relocate V Corps to Wiesbaden, Germany, this summer. USAREUR headquarters will relocate to Wiesbaden in 2012-2013 as part of the ongoing effort to consolidate military intelligence, command and control and signal assets there. The command will continue to develop more effective and efficient ways to build partner capacity with the 51 countries in its area of responsibility, while providing full spectrum combat units and strategic enablers for global employment.
Why is this important to the Army'
USAREUR's ability to provide combat power to global operations while at the same time building partner capacity has a major effect on those allies' and partners' ability and willingness to participate in coalition operations. More allied participation reduces the number of U.S. forces needed, giving the U.S. more flexibility, and helping the Army restore balance.
Resources:
<a href="http://www.eur.army.mil/" target="_blank">USAREUR website</a>
<a href="http://www.army.mil/europe" target="_blank">USAREUR portal on Army.mil</a>
<a href="http://www.eucom.mil/documents/EUCOM-posture-statement-HASC-03-29-11.pdf" target="_blank">EUCOM Posture Statement</a>
<a href="http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/hearings'ContentRecord_id=ab8b4fa8-7d04-4bd1-8387-5d9c00e1b2b9" target="_blank">House Armed Services Committee hearing</a>
<a href="http://armed-services.senate.gov/Webcasts/2011/03%20March/03-29-11%20Webcast.htm" target="_blank">Senate Armed Services Committee hearing</a>
Press Release:</I> <a href="http://www.eur.army.mil/news/archive2011/brigades.htm" target="_blank">DoD announces decision to retain three brigades in Europe</a>
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