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60th Ordnance Group
21st Support Command
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please email me (webmaster).

Group History (19.. - 19..)

84th Ord Bn

191st Ord Bn

196th Ord Bn

6901st CSC (Area)

6951st CSC (Ord & Gd)

6952nd CSC (Ord & Gd)

6953rd CSC (Ord & Gd)

6956th CSC

Newspaper articles

 
Group History
60th Ord Gp DUI
(Source: 60th Ordnance Group Command Data Book, July 1980 via Joseph Perchetti, 39th Ord Gp, a CAPSTONE unit of the 21st SUPCOM)
HISTORY

On 21 December 1972, the 60th Ordnance Group was once again called to active service in Zweibruecken, Federal Republic of Germany and assigned to the United States Theater Army Support Command Europe. At the time of activation, the 60th Ordnance Group consisted of the following units:
ORGANIZATION (1988):

UNIT DESIGNATION

DUTY STATION COMMENTS
HHC, 60th Ord Gp Kreuzberg Ksn, Zweibrücken
Miesau Army Depot Miesau  
15th Ord Bn Darmstadt
84th Ord Bn Kaiserslautern
101st Ord Bn Heilbronn
168th Ord Det (EODCC) Mannheim  
512th Ord Det (EODCC) Oberammergau  
6956th LS Ammo & Guard Cen Kaiserslautern
In February 1974, the 512th Ordnance Detachment was relocated to Vilseck.

The 84th Ordnance Battalion together with the 6956th LS Ammo and Guard Center was relocated to Muenchweiler during January 1976.

On 1 May 1974 by direction of the United States Army, Europe (USAREUR) in accordance with General Order No. 62, dated 23 April 1974, United States Army Materiel Management Agency, Europe (USAMMAE) assumed command and control of the 60th Ordnance Group.

On 1 July 1976, as a result of inactivation of HQ, USAMMAE under Project MODLOG, the 60th Ordnance Group was reassigned directly under HQ, USAREUR for command and control by HQ, USAREUR General Order No. 5028, dated 30 June 1976.

In December 1976, the 60th Ordnance Group was reassigned from HQ, USAREUR, to HQ, 21st Support Command.

During 1977 the 60th Ordnance Group underwent a major reorganization. In February 1977 the Special Weapons Units (23d ORD CO, 28th ORD CO, 545th ORD CO, 9th MP DET, 51st MP DET), were transferred to the 59th Ordnance Brigade. The Direct Support Battalions were reassigned to the Corps, effective 1 June 1977; the 15th Ordnance Battalion to V Corps and effective 1 October the 101st Ordnance Battalion to VII Corps.

On 1 August 1978 the Ammunition Detachment Bremerhaven was activated.

Effective 1 October 1979 the Inventory Control Function was transferred to the 200th Theater Army Materiel Management Center.

On 25 January 1980 the 763d Medical Detachment Muenchweiler, was brought under control of the 84th Ordnance Battalion Muenchweiler.

MISSION
1. Exercise command, administrative, technical, logistical, and operational control over all assigned and attached units.

2. Serves as Assistant Chief of Staff, Ammunition, 21st Support Command.

3. Exercise special courts-martial jurisdiction.

4. Perform those functions associated with the S-1, S-2/3 and S-4 staff activities, to include control of mission and functional assignments by the S-2/3 activity.

5. Provide a Command Safety Program IAW AR 385-10 to include the Explosive Safety Program prescribed in UR 385-11, Change 1.

6. Establishes explosive safety limits and licenses for ammunition storage sites in Rear Combat Zone (RCZ)/Communication Zone (COMMZ).

7. Provides technical assistance and review of matters concerning restricted area agreements, annual restricted area inspections, and negotiations for all theater ammunition and missile storage sites.

8. Provides technical assistance to theater on license and explosive safety matters as requested by USAREUR.

9. Manages the Nuclear and Chemical Surety Programs for 21st SUPCOM IAW AR 50-5, UR 50-100, and EUCOM Dir 60-10.

10. Exercises command and control of all EOD detachments in the Federal Republic of Germany. Provides training and inspection support for all theater EOD units. Manages the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Program for 21st SUPCOM.

11. Provide technical assistance and inspections of all 60th Ordnance Group units nuclear, biological, and chemical defense programs.

12. Develops and maintains Quality Assurance, Ammunition Surveillance Program (QAASP) for stocks received, stored, maintained,and issued in RCZ/COMMZ, including Unit Basic Loads (UBL).

13. Plans, coordinates, and supervises security requirements to include personnel and documents security, intelligence training and the physical security of Class V stocks within the 21st SUPCOM area.

14. Programs for resources required to manage peacetime stockage objective and execute wartime management concept. Perform resource management functions as outlined in AR 5-2, except finance and accounting.

15. Acts as Material Management Center for Class V material for 21st SUPCOM. Performs the command RCZ/COMMZ Class V commodity management, such as supply management; requirements determination; renovation direction; disposal directions; care and preservation direction; distribution management; inventory management and control; excess reporting control; local purchase or component fabrication; budget programming; provisioning; reporting; and transportation coordination for Class V material with TICP [200th TAMMC (Theater Army Material Management Center)] and other USAREUR commands to include components and ammunition packing material.

16. Manage the RCZ/COMMZ suspension/restriction and malfunction report programs for conventional, chemical ammunition, and high density guided missiles in the 21st SUPCOM areas. (Dragon/Redeye/Chaparral/Shillelagh.)

17. Exercise demilitarization control of excess Class V material at direction of 200th TAMMC.

18. Implements maintenance programs as directed by 200th TAMMC.

19. Manages storage space use within RCZ/COMMZ.

20. Is responsible for the Standard USAREUR Munitions System (SUMS).

21. Provides functional supervision, management, and preparation of engineer construction projects for theater ammunition and missile storage projects. Develops construction projects to support mission requirements 

1. HQ Staff, 1980 (KB)
2. 60th Ord Gp Org, 1980 (KB)

3. Location Map, 1980 (KB)

FY 80: Personnel (KB)

FY 80: Basic Statistics (KB)

FY 80: Operational Data (KB)
(Source: Email from Joseph N. Perchetti, HHC, 39th Ord Gp)
I was previously the 1SG, HHC 39th Ord Gp.  I have some unclassified documents that I received from the 60th during 1980-81.
 
The 39th was a CAPSTONE unit for the 21st.  Under OPLAN 4102 we were to come in "early" up north (NORTHAG). The 60th was the same MTOE as I recollect, thus training w/ them was an intelligent idea. We were in Zweibrucken @ Kreutzberg Kaserne, March 1981 for WINTEX.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 The 39th Ord Gp's mission was C2 (command & control) and of various battalions and companies (AC, NG, & RC).  We were the "Northern Group" in OPLAN 4102 as I recollect.  Appreciate that my role (First Sergeant) did not deal directly with the operational end of the unit's mission.  Also, there is a HHC, 38th Ord Gp.
The 39th was located @ Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. We had AC, NG, & RC units in our wartime trace but USAR peace time was an entirely different mission. This is common now but very unique in 1980!

The 39th Gp provided C2 to geographic units in whatever 2 star command you were located.  We wore the 78th Div (TNG) patch, a drill sergeant unit.  Our subordinate units were the 338th Maint Bn, 469th Eng Bn, 3/42nd FA Bn, 411th Chem Co & the 348th MP Det (CID).
(Source: Support Sentinel, April 24, 1984)
Ammo operations hit computer age

By Rheta Phillips

On Jan 26, 1984, a very nondescript data processing installation -- known as 60th Ord Gp's DPI MO56 -- arrived in Zweibruecken. This relocation enriched and facilitated the Standard Army Ammunition System Level 3, SAAS-3, considerably.

In spite of its unimpressive appearance, DPI MO56 plays a vital role in ammunition management for the entire rear combat and communication zones.

SAAS started in 1972 when the Army withdrew Class V ammunition from the Standard Army Intermediate Level Supply System and established ammunition as a separate elment of the logistics system. In 1973, it was fielded in increments starting as SAAS Level 1.

Level 1 applies to centralized theater management, Level 3 to corps-level management and Level 4 to ammo storage points. Level 2 functions (Webmaster: meant for field army-level management) were incorporated into the other levels when the field army concept was eliminated.

DPI MO56 began SAAS-3 operations in February 1983, with operational control at 9th Logistics Center and management control at the 60th Ord Gp.
(Source: Support Sentinel, Sept 25, 1984)
60th Ord provides the fire power for realism in maneuver exercise

By Capt Mike G. Mullins and SFC Ronald Fisher
60th Ord Gp Materiel Office, Zweibruecken

Ammunition issue and supply to fighting units are the keys to success in a military exercise.

The 60th Ord Gp, the largest ammunition supplier in Europe, provides the fire power CONUS units must have to exercise tactical realism during REFORGER exercises.

After picking up their prepositioned vehicles (Webmaster: see the CEGE Page for details on the POMCUS process), the units move into marshalling areas for their initial orientation. Members of the 60th Ord Gp present the Class V (ammunition) portion of the briefing, which includes ammo storage locations, issue procedures and safety requirements. The 60th also proivdes escorts to accompany each unit to its ammunition supply point.

Parking their vehicles in a holding area, the unit assembles in the ASP office for a second briefing. Among other things, ammo personnel brief them on exact storage locations, safety and traffic patterns to ensure rapid movement through the ASP.

Unit basic upload is the most tactical phase of the transition to combat readiness. How quickly a unit uploads directly relates to how quickly it moves into battle. After the ASP orientation, German civilian support group crews team up with the unit and escort them to the magazines where their ammunition has been stored.

Working as long as necessary and as fast as possible, the CSG workers get the unit loaded and back on the road. To preclude damage to actual basic loads, training substitutes for artillery, tank and mortar ammunition are issued along with sand-filled boxes to simulate wartime materiel. The boxes match in size, weight and quantity items the unit would actually draw in war.

All units follow actual upload procedures for physical uploading to ensure that even the smallest combat support detachment knows where its ammunition is stored and how to go about drawing it.

Less than three days after CONUS units arrive in Europe, they have received their combat and support vehicles and their ammunition. Safety ammo handling personnel from the 60th are present at the marshalling areas to provide technical assistance as the unit breaks out its basic load items and uploads its tanks, armored personnel carriers and other combat vehicles.

At the same time, ammo handlers issue small arms ammunition and pyrotechnics to the individual soldiers. Within 12 hours after arrival in the marshalling area, all vehicles and personnel are fully armed.

At the end of the exercises, the units stop at field download sites operated by teams from the 84th Ord Bn, a subordinate unit of the 60th. Teams handling the ammunition turn-in will deploy with sufficient rations, equipment, vehicles and other supplies to survive in a field environment for two weeks.

Ammunition turned in, counted, segregated, inspected and repacked for later use will realize tremendous savings to the government.
(Source: Kreuzberg Past and Present, by Sp4 Charles Powers and Monika Kropf, Zweibrücken Sun, March 15, 1988
Article provides good information on the mission and organization of the 60th Ord Gp in 1988. See article.
In 1986, the Group was supporting more than 450 customer units.
(Source: Zweibrücken Sun, Jan 15, 1989)
The 60th Ordnance Group, with its headquarters located just outside the gates of Kreuzberg Kaserne (Webmaster Note: at this time, Gp headquarters was located at the old D Btry, 2nd Bn, 56th ADA site) is unique in that it is the only conventional ammunition group in the Army.

Controlling two-thirds of the conventional ammunition stocks in USAREUR, the 60th Ord Gp consists of three ordnance battalions, two Explosive Ordnance Detachment Control Centers, (a Civilian Support Center) and the largest ammunition storage, maintenance and distribution center in West Germany - Miesau Army Depot.

The Group's mission is to receive, store, secure, transport and issue ammunition in the read combat and communications zones.

About three-quarters of the personnel assigned to the 60th Ord Gp are local nations.
ORGANIZATION (1988):

UNIT DESIGNATION

DUTY STATION COMMENTS
HHC, 60th Ord Gp Kreuzberg Ksn, Zweibrücken
84th Ord Bn USAH Münchweiler
191st Ord Bn Mannheim
196th Ord Bn Mönchengladbach
Miesau Army Depot Miesau  
168th Ord Det (EODCC) Mannheim  
512th Ord Det (EODCC) Rose Bks, Vilseck  
6901st CSC (Area) Kreuzberg Ksn, Zweibrücken
(Source: Zweibrücken Sun, Mar 1, 1991)
There are 690 earth-covered storage magazines at Mieau Army Depot and Weilerbach Ammo Storage Area.

A permanent work force of 527 local nationals and 469 civilian support personnel are employed at Miesau.
(Source: USAREUR Safety Division, 1980s or early 1990s)
List of CIVILIAN SUPPORT Units assigned to 60th Ord Gp:

60th Ordnance Group:
6901st Civilian Support Company (Ordnance and Guard), Zweibrücken

84th Ordnance Battalion:
6956th Civilian Support Company (Ordnance and Guard), Münchweiler
2050th Civilian Support Group (Guard), Karlsruhe
2051st Civilian Support Group (Ordnance), Germersheim
2052nd General Support Group (Guard)
2053rd Civilian Support Group (Ordnance), Dahn

191st Ordnance Battalion:
6951st Civilian Support Company (Ordnance and Guard), Mannheim
2041st Civilian Support Group (Ordnance), Mannheim
2048th Civilian Support Group (Ordnance and Guard), Kirchheimbolanden
2049th Civilian Support Group (Guard), Mannheim
2054th Civilian Support Group (Ordnance and Guard), Bad Kreuznach
2055th Civilian Support Group (Ordnance), Baumholder
4013th Civilian Support Group (Guard), Lebach-Saarlouis

Miesau Army Depot:
6952nd Civilian Support Company (Ordnance and Guard), Miesau
2042nd Civilian Support Group (Ordnance), Miesau
7418th Civilian Support Group (Ordnance), Miesau
4099th Civilian Support Group (Guard), Kaiserslautern

196th Ordnance Battalion:
6953rd Civilian Support Company (Ordnance and Guard), Mönchengladbach
2047th Civilian Support Group (Ordnance), Bremerhaven
2056th Civilian Support Group (Ordnance and Guard), Twisteden
If you have more information on the history or organization of the 60th Ord Gp, please contact me.
 
196th Ordnance Battalion
(Source: Traveler, March 1989)
The 196th Ordnance Battalion is located at Windberg Barracks, Grefrath, and is comprised of two ordnance companies:
89th Ord Co, Bremerhaven
148th Ord Co, Twisteden
 
6901st Civilian Support Center (Area)
6901st CSC (Area) Patch (courtesy Siegbert Mann)
(Source: Zweibrücken Sun, May 15, 1985)
Zweibrücken civilians earn high decoration

Two civilian employees in the Zweibrücken Community recently attended the Annual Incentive Awards Ceremony, held at the Heidelberg Officers and Civilian's Club in Patrick Henry Village. Zygmunt K. Lewandowski was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Award, while Michael P. Lynch was given the Secretary of the Army Award for Outstanding Suggestor.

The awards, presented only once a year, are signed by the Secretary of the Army. To be nominated for such decorations, employees must have accomplished assigned duties of major program significance to the Department of the Army. They must have also developed and improved major methods and procedures, inventions or other achievements that effected large scale savings to the government. Or, they must have provided outstanding leadership to the administration of major Army commands.

Lynch was a quality assurance specialist at Miesau Army Depot, but is currently stationed in Wildflecken. Throughout 1983, he actively participated in the Suggestor Program with the submission of eight suggestions. Most of these included suggestions of improvement with the APE 2199, a precision machine used in the production of ammunition.

Through just six of his suggestions, Lynch received a small personal reward of over $2,000 for tangible savings to the Army totaling $64,407.
 
ZB-11 Lewandowski, of the 6901st Civilian Support Center, served as a member of the Command Task Force for the development of the Ammunition Concept Plan (CONPLAN), and was responsible for all Civilian Support input, developing requirements and standards manpower, equipment, facilities and stationing.

With the implementation of the CONPLAN, he was tasked with re-organizing existing and activating new Civilian Support units within the 60th Ordnance Group throughout Germany. Lewandowski re-organized nine Civilian Support Groups in Mannheim, Haide, Viernheim, Miesau, Kaiserslautern, Münchweiler and Karlsruhe. He also activated three new Civilian Support Centers in Mannheim, Miesau and Zweibrucken, as well as six new Civilian Support Groups in Bad Kreuznach, Baumholder, Lebach, Walsrode, Germersheim and Pirmasens.

During this time, the personnel strength of Civilian Support in the 60th Ordnance Group increased considerably. His achievement and surpassment of assigned goals was also evident in the reduction of sick leave usage in his center and the subordinate units, despite the significant increase in personnel strength during one year.

Lewandowski also received the Commander's Award for Civilian Service in March, 1983.
 
Webmaster Note: The three Civilian Support Centers activated under CONPLAN were the following:

UNIT DESIGNATION

LOCATION COMMENTS
6951st CSC Mannheim
6952nd CSC Miesau
6953rd? CSC Zweibrücken not sure if it was the 6953rd that was activated under CONPLAN and then later moved to Mönchengladbach
The six Civilian Support Groups activated under CONPLAN were the following:

UNIT DESIGNATION

LOCATION COMMENTS
2051st CSG Germersheim
2052nd CSG Lebach
2953rd CSG Pirmasens
2054th CSG Bad Kreuznach
2055th CSG Baumholder
2056th CSG Walsrode
 
(Source: Support Sentinel, June 18 1985)
Civilian support units mark 40 years' service

By Juergen Haarnagel
60th Ord Gp PAO

The Zweibruecken-based 6901st Civilian Support Center (Area) and its subordinate units celebrated their 40th anniversary May 15 at Turley Barracks, Mannheim. The event was sponsored by the 6851st Civilian Support Center.

Keynote speaker Zygmunt K. Lewandowski, superintendent of the 6901st, outlined the postwar role of the US Forces in providing a new life for Poles liberated from German POW camps and unable to return to their native land after the war.

"They never gave up or got lost in the jumble of the initial postwar chaos," Lewandowski said. The US Forces began hiring Poles in May 1945 to form labor service companies, providing them with educational and recreational facilities, churches and Polish newspapers.

"Since 1945, many changes have occurred in the organization, mission and personnel of labor service companies," he said. "In 1981, the term 'civilian support' replaced the designation 'labor service.' Today there are 94 CS groups composed predominately of German nationals."

Teamwork and devotion to duty are hallmarks of the partnership between the 60th Ordnance Group and the 19 civilian support groups of the 6901st, according to Col John R. Morgan, commander of the 60th Ord Gp. "The civilian support units have been the mainstay of ammunition logistics in USAREUR for many years," he said, and CS employees are "the backbone of the ammunition reorganization" within the 60th.

Following his remarks, Morgan presented length of service awards to 22 CSG employees.

Aleksander Antoni of the Viernheim-based 2049th CSG (Guard) was the sole recipient of a 40 year service award. Employees cited for 35 years of service were Jan Augustiniak, Bronislaw Hoch and Marian Zapart, 2042nd CSG, Miesau; Leonas Menzel and Waclaw Przendzielewski, 2048th CSG, Kirchheimbolanden; Stanislaw Dudek and Kazimierz Grochowski, 2049th CSG; Wladyslaw Swierczek, 2050th CSG, Karlsruhe; Wladyslaw Galuszka and Ryszard Grzeskowiak, 2054th, Bad Kreuznach; Arno Heid, 6952nd CSC, Miesau; and Leon Palka and Antoni Niebieszczanski, 7418th CSG, Miesau.

Cited for 30 years of service were Josef Kaminski and Edward Pietras, 2050th CSG; Jozef Podhajski, 2054th CSG; and Kazimierz Grabowski and Imre Mohacsi, 7418th CSG.

Jan Kliman of the 2041st CSG, Mannheim, and Heinz Goerlitz and Valentin Ress of the 2054th CSG were honored for 25 years of service.
 
6951st Civilian Support Center
(Source: Peter Neuen, 6951st CSC, Mannheim)
I became a member of the 6951st CSC at Turely Barracks in Mannheim shortly after it was formed - end of 1984/early 1985.(1) The XO of the 191st Ord Bn, our partner unit, was Major Robert Snyder. He arrived about half a year after I joined the 6951st.

CO of the 6951st was ZB-10 Zbignew Janutowsky; XO was Z-9 Raimond Zawalsky. Additional officers:
  S-1 ZB-9 Nikolaus Pokuschinsky
  S-2 ZB-7 Peter Michael Neuen / ZB-7 Erich Wunderlich
  S-3 ZB-8 Hans-Peter Wanner
  S-4 ZB-9 Walter Karnowski
  Ammo ZB-9 Frank Rank

Officers in the 191st Ord Bn partner unit:
  Bn CO LTC Malcolm Mc Lellan
  XO unknown
  S-1 unknown
  S-2 Cpt. Patricia C. Everhart
  S-3 Cpt. Earl Mc Lain
  S-4 Cpt Wendel Wilkins
  Communications Cpt. Holmes

Training officers for members of the 6951st CSC were ZB-6 Rolf Braner and ZB-6 Petra Becker. NBC was handled by ZB-5 Armin Besenfelder; Communications by ZB-4 Kuckuck. ZB-6 Schäfer was in S-1; additional members of the S-2 section were ZB-5 Gärtner and ZB-5 Krause. Responsible for the Ammunitions Section were ZB-9 Rank and ZB-8 Paulus.

My section, S-2, was responsible for the physical security of the ammo storage sites in
Lampertheim (PSP 54 - ) (2)
Lorsch (RASP 951 - )
Schifferstadt (PSP 77 - )
Fürfeld (PSP 51 - )
Spabrücken (PSP 50 - )
Kriegsfeld (Kirchheimbolanden) - (RASP 952 - )

Guard units were the
2049th CSG in Lampertheim (CO was ZB-8 Zachary)
2054th CSG in Bad Kreuznach (CO was ZB-8 van Rheenen)
2048th CSG in Kirchheimbolanden (CO not known)

Before being assigned to the 6951st, I served with the 4094th CSG (Guard) at Hammonds Barracks in Mannheim-Seckenheim (1983-1984). ZB-9 Becker was commander; ZB-8 Zeising the XO; ZB-7 Nowak was the Supply Officer; and ZB-7's Ruffing, Müller and Vogt were Guard Operations Supervisors.

(1) Webmaster note: the 6951st was formed under the CONPLAN project.
(2) Prestock Point designations and storage site GOGGLE locations added by webmaster.
 
6952nd Civilian Support Center
(Source: Das USAREUR Echo, August 1984)
Anniversary

The 2042nd Civilian Support Group (Ord) was formed on Aug 1 1977 as a subordinate unit of the 6956th CSC (Ord & Guard). Hqs of the unit was located at Kreuzberg Ksn, Zweibrücken with elements in:
Bremerhaven
Baumholder
Bad Kreuznach
Kriegsfeld

Sometime later, the unit was assigned to the 84th Ord Bn in Münchweiler.

On Nov 1 1983, in accordance with the new Ammunition Concept (CONPLAN), the unit was moved to Miesau and reorganized, with its subordinate elements redesignated as separate units with their own missions.

On Feb 1 1984, the 2042nd was augmented with personnel transferred from the 7418th CSG.

Currently, the unit is under the operational control of the Miesau Army Depot (MIAD) and under the administrative control of the 6952nd CSC (Ord & Guard).

The unit's MISSION: to receive, store, issue, sort, handle, maintain and conserve conventional ammo.
 
6953rd Civilian Support Center
(Source: Traveler, May 2, 1985)
Civilian Support Groups: The latest addition to the Rheinberg Community

By Sp5 Jerome Coleman

If you've been in the Reichel Building or Moenchengladbach lately, you've probably already seen the lastest addition to the Community -- the civilian support group.

At first glance they probably looked like American soldiers, but a closer look told the story.

The new soldiers you saw are members of the civilian support group. They're German citizens that are hired and trained by the U.S. Army. They provide a means of augumenting our forces with a work force that is capable of performing both peace and wartime missions according to MAJ Felix G. Banis, Battalion Commander, 196th Ordnance Battalion.

The CSG should not be confused with local nationals that work for the government. "They wear the fatigue uniform and are part of a new "hybrid concept" of military and civilians working together to preserve peace," Barris explained.

History of civilian support group
The CSG may seem to be new to some but it was actually established after World War II. "Initially they were immigrants from Poland, Lutherans, and many anti-communists who Americans felt responsible for after the war, " said ZB10 Eberhardt Waadt, CSG Supervisor.

"The U.S. Army employed these men, trained them and organized them into support units," Waadt explained. At that time they were mainly transportation, maintenance, and supply units that supported the U.S. Army he recalled.

"Today, the 2056th CSG (Ordnance) and the 4006th CSG (Guard) are the primary work force in Twisteden," Barris said. These guard and ordnance personnel support the 196th Ordnance Battalion. "They will guard and man the ammunition bunkers now being constructed in Twisteden," Banis added.

Members of the 2056th CSG prepare bunkers for storage of ammunition at Twisteden, 1985.
 
Hiring through local labor office
Hiring began in February. "The local labor office directed people to us," Banis said. "We also contacted the Bundeswehr to interest experienced people that would be leaving the service soon."

Although ability was one of the main concerns in hiring personnel, physical fitness was also an important factor. Banis explained that individuals applied directly. They were screened and then given an extensive physical. "Only the physically fit were hired and then trained," he said.

Basic, advanced training
CSG personnel were trained in phases. "Phase I was conducted in Twisteden," according to 2LT Gilles Reimer, Adjutant, 196th Ordnance Battalion. "This training is simular to basic training for soldiers. Personnel are taught how to wear the uniform and how to read the CSG labor laws."

Phase II training provided personnel with the basic survival skills. Some personnel received this training in Rheinberg, others in Kaiserslautern. "During phase II training individuals received NBC training and first aid," Reimer said. "Safety was also emphasized."

The last phase of training is on-the-job. Guards returned to Twisteden while Ordnance personnel went to Zweibrucken for further training. Reimer said that all CSG personnel had one week of classroom training and an additional week of on-the-job training.

Not all CSG personnel needed training. For example, ZB10 Eberhardt Waadt, CSG Supervisor, is a retired Bundeswehr Colonel with years of experience in munitions.

CSG structured much like U.S. military
The CSG force is structured much like the U.S. Army. "There is no rank structure, but we do wear symbols," Waadt explained. "These symbols designate responsibility. ZB 7-10 designate commissioned officers while 1-6 represent the lower enlisted."
 
Related Links:
Ammo sites in Saarland - great page on the ammunition storage sites operated by the 60th Ord Gp in the Saarland. Page is hosted on the German website - LostPlaces.de