What's next for U.S. Army Europe

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What's next for U.S. Army Europe
By Jim Tice
Posted: 10/02/07 14:57

The end-game for a transformed U.S. Army Europe begins in 2008 with the consolidation of several large units at theater operating bases in Germany.

The transformation blueprint calls for the Army’s largest permanent overseas command to have four major communities in Germany — Kaiserslautern, Wiesbaden, Ansbach and Grafenwoehr — and Vicenza in northern Italy.

Under that plan, the headquarters elements of USAREUR and V Corps will consolidate at Wiesbaden to become a deployable headquarters for 7th Army. Several of the moves scheduled for 2008, particularly those involving military intelligence units, are part of that consolidation.

Brig. Gen. David G. Perkins, USAREUR G-3, said he expects the 2007 end-strength tally to come in about 45,000 soldiers, 5,000 fewer than in June when the summer moving season began.

When the drawdown and command reorganization started three years ago there were more than 60,000 soldiers stationed in Europe.

The goal is to reach a population of 28,000 in two or three years, although senior leaders, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace and NATO commander Gen. Bantz Craddock, have indicated in recent months that the force drawdown may be too steep.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/ausa/story.php?F=3081371