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Public Affairs
July 18, 2005
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Brigade Combat Team draws down,
allows for STRYKER Stationing |
STUTTGART, Germany — To set the conditions for stationing a
Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Vilseck, Germany, the 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, now stationed there, will
reduce to cadre strength beginning in summer 2005. Included in
the 3rd BCT are a field artillery battalion and an engineer
company in Bamberg, Germany and two company-sized units from the
1st Infantry Division, stationed in Wuerzburg and Kitzingen,
Germany.
The effective deployment of Stryker in and out of Germany
remains one of our highest priorities as we proceed with our
plans. We will be working over the coming months to secure all
requisite agreements for the brigade's effective movement within
Europe.
Approximately 2,900 Soldiers and 3,990 family members will be
directly affected by this action. Six U.S. civilians and no
local national employees work directly for the tactical units of
3rd Brigade Combat Team. We will evaluate the requirements for
garrison support as it becomes clearer what support is needed
between the departure of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the
arrival of the Stryker Brigade, and may make appropriate
adjustments that would affect garrison personnel. We will comply
with all standard notification procedures, should there be a
requirement for such actions. The incoming Stryker Brigade will
be eventually manned with about 3,900 Soldiers, as well as about
20 Department of the Army civilian employees and 100 contractor
personnel.
These changes are part of the President's overall plan to
transform the military to create a more mobile, agile and
expeditionary joint force in the face of the threats posed by
the Global War on Terrorism. A fundamental part of this plan is
to station our forces around the globe to be best able to
respond to the threats of the new security environment. Our
end-state footprint will be strategic in scope and global in
reach, ensuring we have the desired capabilities at locations
that enable us to engage rapidly and with great flexibility.
We remain committed to our European allies, including Germany.
The forward stationing of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team in
Europe demonstrates continuing U.S. commitment to NATO and
parallels NATO's own transformation to a more mobile, agile and
expeditionary force.
German Translation |
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