USAREUR announces three-phase transformation actions

HEIDELBERG, Germany—U.S. Army Europe will conduct numerous unit inactivations, relocations and returns to the U.S. from the Mannheim and Heidelberg area between 2010 and 2015 to further consolidate remaining personnel on DoD main operating bases.

As a result of these force structure actions, the bases announced today by DoD for closure will no longer be required. USAREUR and the Installation Management Command-Europe have developed a phased approach for the drawdown of the Mannheim and Heidelberg communities.
Phase 1 (FY10)

By summer 2010, USAREUR anticipates an approximate 50 percent reduction in the baseline Mannheim area Soldier population. This reduction in personnel will allow for closure of Hammonds and Taylor barracks. Remaining Mannheim units will consolidate on Coleman and Spinelli barracks, as well as on a small enclave at Sullivan/Funari/Benjamin Franklin Village housing area. IMCOM-E anticipates the USAG Heidelberg will inactivate and be consolidated into its parent unit, USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg, by the end of June 2010, and the USAG Mannheim will inactivate by the end of May 2011. Remaining sites and services will consolidate under the single garrison of USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg in Heidelberg with quality of life support adjusted over time, as the population decreases.

Phase 1 Force Structure changes are as follows:

• 272nd Military Police Company, Taylor Barracks, returned to the U.S. in early FY10.

• Headquarters, 18th MP Brigade, Coleman Barracks, relocated to Funari Barracks as an interim move in FY10.

• USAREUR Vehicle Registry, Taylor Barracks, relocates to Kaiserslautern in FY10.

• Mannheim Legal Center, Taylor Barracks, closed in FY10.

• Trial Defense Services, Taylor Barracks, moves to an interim location in Heidelberg in FY10.

• Maintenance Activity Mannheim, Taylor Barracks, relocated to Spinelli Barracks in FY10 and inactivates by FY13.

• Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 28th Transportation Battalion, Coleman Barracks, inactivates in FY10.

• 68th Transportation Company, Coleman Barracks, returns to the U.S. in FY10. This includes the 3rd Platoon in Vicenza, Italy.

• 69th Transportation Company, Coleman Barracks, inactivates in FY10.

• HQ 208th Finance Company, Spinelli Barracks, inactivates in FY10. A subordinate detachment in Kaiserslautern will be retained and aligned with the 106th Finance Company.

• Headquarters, 95th MP Battalion, Taylor Barracks, relocated to Coleman Barracks as an interim move in FY10.

• Government Service Agency - Interagency Fleet Management Service, Taylor Barracks, consolidated at Spinelli Barracks in FY10 until the operation relocates to the Wiesbaden area by FY13.

• Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Privately-owned Vehicle Processing Center, Taylor Barracks, relocates to Spinelli Barracks within the Mannheim footprint in FY10 until it ceases operations in FY14.

• USAG Heidelberg will inactivate and be consolidated into its parent unit, the USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg, by June 30, 2010.

Medical facilities in the Mannheim Community will remain open and will be adjusted to support the reduced population.

Department of Defense schools officials will assess school programs and facilities to adjust their support, as the population reduces.

Mannheim/Heidelberg Intra-Garrison Unit relocations will occur from Taylor, Tompkins and Hammonds barracks. Family housing in the affected areas will be vacated by attrition, and the Garrison will direct new assignments within the Mannheim/Heidelberg footprint as appropriate.

The associated Phase 1 base closures are, as announced today by DoD:
• Hammonds Barracks, return to the host nation by December 2010
• Schwetzingen training area, return by summer 2010
• Mannheim Class III Point, return by summer 2010
• Taylor Barracks, return by December 2010

Phase 2 (FY11-FY14)

Phase 2 begins in FY11 with force structure actions to vacate Sullivan Barracks, Funari Barracks, and the Benjamin Franklin Village housing area enclave and the continued drawdown of the Heidelberg and Mannheim military communities. By summer 2012, USAREUR anticipates most of the Mannheim area Soldier population will have departed. The information processing center in Wiesbaden is expected to be completed by summer 2013 to allow the remainder of 5th Signal Command assets to move from Mannheim to Wiesbaden. This phase ends by 2014 when all remaining Mannheim units are consolidated on Coleman or Spinelli barracks and rely on the Baden-Wuerttemberg Garrison for quality of life support.

Phase 2 force structure changes are as follows:

• Defense Media Activity-Atlantic Regional Headquarters activates at Coleman Barracks in FY11.

• 529th MP Company, Patton Barracks, begins its phased relocation to Wiesbaden in FY11. USAREUR expects to complete the move of this entire Company by FY13.

• 5th Signal Command Information Processing Center, Funari Barracks, relocates to Wiesbaden by FY13, pending construction completion.

• 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Sullivan Barracks, relocates to Schweinfurt by FY11.

• 70th Transportation Company, Coleman Barracks, inactivates in FY11.

• Theater Aviation Support Maintenance-Europe, Coleman Barracks, relocates to the Ansbach/Illesheim area in the future to support the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade.

• Headquarters, 18th MP Brigade, Funari Barracks, relocates to a location to be determined by FY13.

• Mannheim Regional Training Support Center, Benjamin Franklin Village, closes by FY13.

• U.S. Army Garrison Mannheim, Sullivan Barracks, will inactivate by the end of May 2011. Garrison support for remaining units will be provided by USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg.

Medical services in Mannheim will continue to be adjusted to meet the needs of the community.

We anticipate some Department of Defense schools in Mannheim could close as early as summer 2011. DoDDS officials will continually assess school programs and facility requirements, as enrollments decrease. Remaining school-age family members will be consolidated at nearby Heidelberg schools.

Defense Commissary Agency and the Army and Air Force Exchange Services will continue to provide support through Phase 2 and close when community population numbers no longer support continued operations.

The Phase 2 related base closures, as announced today by DoD, are:
• Funari Barracks, return by 2014
• Sullivan Barracks, return by 2014
• Benjamin Franklin Village family housing area, return by 2014

Phase 3 (not earlier than 2012/not later than 2015)

Phase 3 begins not earlier than 2012 with the relocation or inactivation of remaining Heidelberg and Mannheim units and ends not later than 2015 when all personnel have departed and the facilities are returned to the host nation. Elements of the Phase 3 units listed below may begin moves in advance of the unit main body as a cost saving measure, i.e., to limit double permanent change of station costs for incoming personnel, etc.

Phase 3 force structure changes are:
• Headquarters, USAREUR, Campbell Barracks, begins its relocation to Wiesbaden in FY12 with completion expected by FY14.
• Headquarters, IMCOM-E, Campbell Barracks, relocates to Wiesbaden and/or Sembach, beginning in FY12 with completion expected by FY14.
• V Corps Headquarters, Campbell Barracks, relocates to Wiesbaden by FY14 if the QDR recommendations are implemented and the Corps is retained in theater.
• 43rd Signal Battalion, Campbell Barracks, inactivates by FY14.
• 181st Signal Company, Campbell Barracks, relocates to the Kaiserslautern area in FY13.
• SDDC POV Processing Center, Spinelli Barracks, ceases operations by FY14.
• USAG Baden-Wuerttemberg, Patton Barracks, inactivates by FY14.
• U.S. Army NATO Brigade, Tompkins Barracks, relocates to Wiesbaden or Sembach by FY14.
• 33rd Army Band (USAREUR band and chorus), Tompkins Barracks, relocates to the Kaiserslautern area by FY13.
• 60th Engineer Detachment, Tompkins Barracks, relocates to Wiesbaden by FY14.
• Europe Regional Medical Command, Hospital Kaserne, relocates to the Kaiserslautern area by FY13.
• Europe Regional Dental Command, Hospital Kaserne, relocates to the Kaiserslautern area by FY13.
• Europe Regional Veterinary Command, Hospital Kaserne, relocates to the Kaiserslautern area by FY13.
• 30th Medical Command (deployment support), Hospital Kaserne, relocates to a location to be determined by FY14.
• Elements of U.S. Army Medical Activity Heidelberg, Hospital Kaserne, relocate to Kaiserslautern by FY13. Remaining medical facilities in the Heidelberg area will be adjusted to support diminishing troop populations and close by FY13.
• All separate medical offices/agencies associated with the Europe Regional Medical Command will relocate to the Kaiserslautern area by FY13.
• Warrior Transition Units, Hospital Kaserne, will relocate to the Kaiserslautern area by FY13.
• Document Automation and Production Services, Spinelli Barracks, ceases operations by FY13.
• 720th Ordnance Company, Spinelli Barracks, relocates to Baumholder by FY14.
• U.S. Army Claims Service-Europe, Spinelli Barracks, will relocate to Wiesbaden by FY14.
• Headquarters, 95th MP Battalion, Coleman Barracks, relocates to a location to be determined by FY14.
• 9th MP Detachment and Army Corrections Command Corrections Facility, Coleman Barracks, relocates to Sembach by FY13.
• Army Oil Analysis Program Lab, Coleman Barracks, relocates to a location to be determined by FY14.
• Headquarters, American Forces Network-Europe, Coleman Barracks, relocates to the Kaiserslautern area by FY14.
• Defense Media Activity-Atlantic Regional Headquarters, Coleman Barracks, relocates to the Kaiserslautern area by FY14.
• AFN-Heidelberg, Coleman Barracks, relocates to Stuttgart and is re-designated AFN-Stuttgart by FY13.
• Rhine River Detachment, 838th Transportation BN, Surface Deployment Distribution Command Office, Coleman Barracks, relocates to Germersheim Army Depot by FY13.
• 6981st Civilian Support Center, Coleman Barracks, relocates to Germersheim Army Depot by FY13.
• 11th Signal Detachment, Coleman Barracks, inactivates in FY11.
• Mannheim Training Support Center, Coleman Barracks, closes by FY13.
• Heidelberg Training Support Center, Patton Barracks, closes by FY13.
• 51st Transportation Company (palletized loading system), Coleman Barracks, relocates to a location to be determined by FY14.
• 515th Transportation Company (petroleum, oils, lubricants), Coleman Barracks, relocates to a location to be determined by FY14.
• Regional Operations Company, 24th Military Intelligence Operations Battalion, Campbell and Patton Barracks, relocates to Wiesbaden by FY13.
• Heidelberg Resident Office, 2nd MI Battalion, 66th MI Brigade, Campbell Barracks, inactivates by FY13. Personnel will be relocated within 2nd MI BN to meet current mission requirements.
• The Army Operational Activity, Campbell Barracks, relocates to Wiesbaden by FY14.
• Cryptologic Support Group, Campbell Barracks, relocates to Wiesbaden by FY13.
• Emergency Management Assessment Team, Tompkins Barracks, inactivates no later than FY13.
• Department of Defense schools, Defense Commissary Agency, AAFES, continue to provide support through phase 3 and close by 2015.
• AAFES Distribution Center Giessen Operations relocate from the Giessen General Depot to the Germersheim Army Depot by FY14, pending completion of construction.
• Casualty Assistance Center, Campbell Barracks, relocates to Wiesbaden by FY14.
• Trial Defense Services, Heidelberg, relocates to Wiesbaden or the Kaiserslautern area by FY13.
• 18th Engineer Brigade, Tompkins Barracks, relocates to a location to be determined by FY14.
• 243rd Engineer Detachment, Tompkins Barracks, relocates to a location to be determined by FY14.
• Government Service Agency – Interagency Fleet Management Service, Spinelli, relocates to the Wiesbaden area by FY13.
• Maintenance Activity Mannheim, Spinelli Barracks, inactivates by FY13.
• 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment relocates from Coleman Barracks with its related airfield operations to Wiesbaden by FY13.
• Company G, 52nd Aviation Battalion, relocates from Coleman Barracks to Wiesbaden by FY13.
The related phase 3 base closures are, as announced by DoD today:
• Coleman Barracks, by 2015
• Spinelli Barracks, by 2015
• Lampertheim Training Area, by 2015
• Edigheim Beacon Site, by 2015
• Campbell Barracks, by 2015
• Patton Barracks, by 2015
• Tompkins Barracks, by 2015
• Kilbourne Kaserne, by 2015
• Heidelberg Hospital (also known as Nachrichten Kaserne), by 2015
• Heidelberg Community Support Center, by 2015
• Heidelberg Golf Course, by 2015
• Heidelberg Army Heliport, by 2015
• Mark Twain Village Family housing area, by 2015
• Oftersheim Small Arms Range (including Heidelberg Rod and Gun Club), by 2015
• Patrick Henry Village Family housing area, by 2015
• Giessen General Depot, by 2015

Though not currently part of the Mannheim/Heidelberg footprint, the move of the AAFES Distribution Center from the Giessen General Depot to Germersheim Army Depot, planned for 2014, will add this activity to the Heidelberg footprint. The Heidelberg AFN relay facility, the Germersheim Army Depot and the AAFES Gruenstadt Facility will be the only sites in Mannheim/Heidelberg that are retained in the future. They will fall under the control of the USAG Kaiserslautern in the future. The Giessen General Depot will no longer be required, once the AAFES Distribution Center relocates to Germersheim and will be returned by 2015.

In Germany, as a result of these unit actions, there will be an overall reduction of 7,378 (1,446 Soldiers, 1,505 U.S. government civilians and 4,427 family members). There will be a decrease of 1,045 local national positions in Germany. These numbers do not include an additional 1,119 military, 147 U.S. government civilians, 1,898 family members and 257 local national positions that are part of relocations within Germany for which locations are yet to be determined.

In addition, force structure changes in Italy associated with these actions will result in an approximate decrease of 118 in the U.S. Army total population in Italy (47 Soldiers and 71 family members).
These decreases, primarily in Germany, include changes in associated agencies such as Installation Management Command-Europe, European Regional Medical Command, Department of Defense Dependent Schools, Defense Commissary Agency and AAFES.

These numbers reflect the total personnel associated with the units and organizations in this announcement. The impact on both military and civilian personnel will vary, based on the disposition of their units and the status of individual Soldiers and employees.
Due to the extensive scope and long-range nature of these actions, planning and execution will be ongoing for several years. USAREUR will keep host nation officials and staffs apprised of intermediate developments as they occur.

Coordination with host nation officials was conducted prior to this announcement.

Please click here to read news article on the transformation.

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About us: The U.S. Army in Europe, with NATO <http://www.nato.int/> and other coalition partners from throughout its 51-country area of responsibility, trains for, conducts, and supports contingency operations. Headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, USAREUR has forces throughout Germany as well as in Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Kosovo, Bulgaria, and Romania, and in Afghanistan and Iraq.