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5th
Signal Command |
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| 1958 - 1977 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: History of the 5th Signal Command, 1958 - 1977. Prepared by the 5th Signal Command, 20 October 1978.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Section
I
1958 - 1964 |
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HISTORY
OF
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THE
US ARMY SIGNAL COMMAND, EUROPE
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THE
US ARMY SIGNAL BRIGADE, EUROPE
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The history of the first viable signal command in Europe began in
1958, when the US Army Signal Command, Europe,
was formally organized under USAREUR General Order Number 81 (TD
77-7891), dated 20 March 1958. This organization was a result of
efforts started in the early 1950's to consolidate all "technical
service" units under their respective Regular Army branches (i.e.,
all signal units would fall under a "signal command," all engineer
units would come under an "engineer command," etc.). Signal was
one of 12 such technical services previously identified by USAREUR
and further designated Class II subordinate commands to Headquarters,
US Army, Europe. All 12 of these technical service commands were
established with commanders who would serve concurrently as the
chief of the respective USAREUR staff division having proponency
or operational control over their command. (1)
This automatically put the USAREUR Signal Officer, Brigadier General
Wm. D. Hamlin, in the dual hat role of Chief, USAREUR Signal Division
(1) By June 1957, the 11 other technical service commands had abolished the dual hat concept. For reasons which are not clear, the signal "command" maintained the dual role arrangement (HQ, US Army, Europe, Annual Historical Report, 1 Jul 56-30 Jun 57, page 11). |
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(later
called Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications-Electronics)
and Commanding General, US Army Signal Command, Europe.
The command mission under the new formal organization was: "To implement plans, policies and procedures for the establishment, operations and maintenance of signal communications systems; to provide photographic and signal logistical support for USAREUR, CENTAG and, as directed, for NATO elements, US Navy and Air Force in Europe. |
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The
major subordinate elements of the US Army Signal Command, Europe,
would be the 4th Signal Group, headquartered
in Heidelberg, the 516th Signal Group
which was activated in Karlsruhe, Germany, during the winter of
1954, and the 102nd Signal Battalion
which was then headquartered in a rehabilitated German air raid
bunker at Feudenheim, Germany.
On 21 January 1959, as the new command was developing their plans and organization to meet the mission requirements, the table of distribution was expanded appreciably: |
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On
8 February 1960, Brigadier General R.J. Meyer replaced Brigadier
General Wm. D. Hamlin as the USAREUR Signal Officer and Commanding
General, US Army Signal Command, Europe.
Effective 9 June 1960, USAREUR General Order Number 260 reorganized and redesignated the US Army Signal Command, Europe, to Headquarters, US Army Signal Command, Europe. While this change was to lay the foundation for future manpower and expansion, the immediate effect was an actual loss of authorized strength, due to a table of distribution adjustment preceeding the reorganization. |
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Later
that year on 20 October 1960, General Bruce C. Clark would take
over as the Commander in Chief, US Army, Europe. The "Signal Command"
would be short lived under General Clark. The events that follow
are best explained in Brigadier General Meyer's own words as written
in a DF to the USAREUR Chief of Staff on 16 December 1960:
"During my briefing of the Commander in Chief, 19 November 1960, he expressed a dislike for the term "command" when referring to the United States Army Signal Command, Europe, and he reiterated this dislike at the 7th December Commanders Conference. Subsequently, I briefed you on the adequacy of the headquarters signal command staff and a recommended solution to the problem by the amalgamation of Headquarters, 4th Signal Group with the United States Army Signal Command, Europe. You approved this recommendation in principle and requested a plan be staffed with the Deputy Chiefs of Staff. This is the plan for the reorganization, and concurrences of the Deputy Chiefs of Staff are indicated: "It is proposed to reorganize Headquarters, US Army Signal Command, Europe, and Headquarters, 4th Signal Group by merging into a headquarters adequately staffed within existing resources to provide a more efficient organization. This organization, to be known as the US Army Signal Brigade, Europe. Reassign all subordinate elements currently assigned to the US Army Signal Command, Europe. There are no permanent change of station implications in this plan. "Major elements to be assigned to US Army Signal Brigade, Europe will be: |
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USAREUR General Order Number 10, dated 25 January 1961, redesignated HQ, USA Signal Command, Europe, to Headquarters, US Army Signal Brigade, Europe. Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, US Army Signal Brigade, Europe (Provisional) was activated 1 February 1961, by US Army Signal Brigade, Europe, General Order Number 2, dated 1 February 1961. |
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In
another DF dated 1 February 1961, to the CINCUSAREUR, BG Meyer vrote:
"With the redesignation of the Signal Command, Europe, to the Signal Brigade, Europe, it appears logical to me to take one further step - that of separating the Brigade completely from Signal Division by naming a senior Signal Corps colonel as the Brigade Commander, and by my relinquishing this command and holding only the position of USAREUR Signal Officer." On 1 February 1961, Colonel Gordon B. Cauble became the Commander of the US Army Signal Brigade, Europe, seemingly bringing to a close the last "Tech Service Command" and dual role staff/command concept. In his now single role as USAREUR Signal Officer, BG Meyer did maintain operational control of the brigade. Up to this point, BG Meyer's writings had favored the separation of staff and command, and the minimizing of "Division Staff Officers getting into operational matters." His letter to the Signal Brigade Commander, dated 10 June 1961, gives more insight into the subject. In the letter BG Meyer directed: "To more effectively accomplish our respective assigned missions, I desire that the following elements of your organization report directly to my office and perform duties under my supervision: |
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The
provisions of this letter are effective 1 February 1961."
On 5 July 1961, BG H. McD. Brown succeeded BG Meyer as the USAREUR Signal Officer and COL Cauble who had been Acting USAREUR Signal Officer since 20 June 1961, resumed his duties as Commander, US Army Signal Brigade, Europe. BG Meyer would become the Commanding General of the US Army Signal Training Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia. |
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The size of the US Army Signal Brigade, Europe, expanded considerably during the 1961-1963 time frame; however, it's command structure remained noticably stable. USAREUR General Order 309 dated 23 October 1963, delineates the composition of the brigade as follows: |
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Headquarters,
US Army Signal Brigade, Europe
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4th
Signal Group
(plus augmentation)
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22nd
Signal Group
(Cadre)
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106th
Signal Group
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516th
Signal Group
(plus augmentation)
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The
4th Signal Group in Heidelberg with its principle subordinate unit,
the 102nd Signal Battalion, operated the microwave relay stations
throughout France and Germany.
The 22nd Signal Group had been reactivated at Mannheim on 19 August 1963, per USAREUR General Order Number 213, as part of the phased programming of the European Tropo-Army (ETA) System. "Slim but eager," as of 28 February 1964, the group disposition and organization was as follows: |
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During
the next seven months, the 22d Signal Group would take over 37 HF/SSB
sites from civilian contractors and the initial tropo radio and
mux equipment courses would begin at the group training facility.
The 106th Signal Group headquartered in Paris had the primary mission of supporting the Headquarters, US European Command (USEUCOM). The 516th Signal Group, in Karlsruhe, consisted of tactical signal units and civilian labor service organizations. Meanwhile, back in Washington, planning was underway to establish the US Army Strategic Communications Command, a major field command directly responsible to the Army Chief of Staff. STRATCOM would take over "some" of the functions of the Brigade. |
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
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General
Order Number 81, HQ, USAREUR, dated 20 Mar 58
Letter, Commander, 516th Signal Group to Commanding General, USASTRATCOM-Eur, dated 12 Jan 66, subject: Unit Crests and Histories Table of Distribution Number 77-7891, Change 1, HQ, USAREUR, dated 21 Jan 59 General Order Number 260, HQ, USAREUR, dated 9 Jun 60 DF, SIG (USAREUR) to Chief of Staff (USAREUR), dated 16 Dec 60, subject: Establishment of the US Army Signal Brigade, Europe General Order Number 10, HQ, USAREUR, dated 25 Jan 61 General Order Number 2, USA Signal Brigade, Europe, dated 1 Feb 61 DF, SIG O (USAREUR) to CINCUSAREUR, dated 1 Feb 61, subject: Designation of Commander, Signal Brigade Letter, Signal Officer (USAREUR) to Commanding Officer, USA Signal Brigade, Europe, dated 10 Jun 61, subject: Exercise of Operation Control General Order Number 309, HQ, USAREUR, dated 23 Oct 63 Summary of Battalion History, HQ, 102d Signal Battalion, dated 6 Dec 65 Supplement to History of the 22d Signal Group, dated 31 Dec 69 |
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Section
II
1964 - 1974 |
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HISTORY
OF
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THE
US ARMY STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS COMMAND, EUROPE
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THE
US ARMY COMMUNICATIONS
COMMAND, EUROPE
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As a result of the rapid growth in electronic technology and communications
capability, the need for a unified manager of these assets became
apparent. In response to this need, the Department of Defense created
the Defense Communications Agency to manage all global communications.
In turn, the Department of the Army determined the need for a major command to manage its portion of the Defense Communications System, and, in March 1964, the US Army Strategic Communications Command (STRATCOM) was formed with headquarters in Washington, D.C. STRATC0M immediately turned its attention to Europe, and, on 1 July 1964, STRATCOM-Europe became the first subcommand of STRATCOM. Colonel I.R. Obenchain became the first Commanding Officer of the fledgling signal organization, headquartered at Neue Kaserne, in Schwetzingen. Five elements from the US Army Signal Brigade, Europe, were transferred to form the new command of 2474 authorized military and civilian personnel. These included the 22nd and 106th Signal Groups, the 21st Signal Company, which support HQ, SETAF in Leghorn, and the Signal Relay Centers at Pirmasens, Germany, and Saran, France. It didn't take long before STRATCOM-Europe extended its borders. A sister command, STRATCOM-MIDEAST, was briefly formed and then dissolved. As a result, STRATCOM-Europe inherited the HF/SSB stations in Ankara and Sinop, Turkey; Asmara, Ethiopia; and Teheran, Iran, on 1 November 1961. By the end of its first year, STRATCOM-Europe was well established. The US Army's attention, however, was diverted away from Europe and toward an escalating war in Vietnam. Yet, even with the concerns in Southeast Asia, STRATCOM-Europe continued to receive the manpower and resources it needed to manage the Army's DCS communications on the European continent. BG Walter G. Bess became STRATCOM-Europe's second commander on 1 October 1965, just in time to assume more of the USAREUR Signal Brigade responsibilities. On 1 November, the 516th Signal Group was reorganized and joined STRATCOM-Europe's roster. The composition of the Group included the newly reorganized 72nd Signal Battalion, the 102nd Signal Battalion, the USAREUR Signal Center, the 16th Aviation Company, the 6981st Civilian Labor Service Group and the 4038th Polish Civilian Labor Service Company. The 72nd Signal Battalion, in Karlsruhe, supported HQ, USAREUR with transportable communications. The 102nd Signal Battalion, in Sandhofen, managed the Army's portion of the European Microwave System. There were three microwave networks at that time: the USAREUR Northern System; the USAREUR Forward Area System; and the Joint Europoan Microwave System which connected the three service headquarters in Europe. The USAREUR Signal Center supported HQ, USAREUR with a telephone exchange, a radio station and a telecommunications center. Also on 1 November, STRATCOM-Europe was given the US Army Command Issuing Office-Europe in Poitiers, France. Any USAREUR unit which required cryptographical material or equipment relied on this facility. In the same month, the STRATCOM-Europe Engineering Command was organized in Schwetzingen to engineer and install new communications systems. This function was previously handled by the US Army Communications Agency-Europe. With these tremendous responsibilities placed upon STRATCOM-Europe, BG Bess was given still an additional mission. The STRATCOM-Europe commander was designated the Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications-Electronics, USAREUR. The decision to vest, in one individual, both command and staff responsibilities was based on an agreement between General O'Meara, Commander in Chief, US Army, Europe, and Major General Meyer, Commanding General, US Army Strategic Communications Command. STRATCOM-Europe hardly had time to assess its recent acquisitions before 1966 arrived. This year proved to be a milestone for the command. On 9 March, the headquarters post was redesignated Kilbourne Kaserne, in honor of MG Charles E. Kilbourne, who, as a First Lieutenant, was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Philippine Insurrection of 1899. The day after the Kilbourne Kaserne ceremony, Signal Group Mediterranean was organized at Camp Darby, Italy. This new group encompassed the STRATCOM-Europe sites in Italy, Ethiopia, Iran and Turkey. Signal Group Mediterranean was reorganized in February 1968, due to command and control problems; and the sites outside Italy were returned under the STRATCOM-Europe headquarters. Three weeks later on 1 April 1966, STRATCOM-Europe became involved in the newest mode of telecommunications, Satellite Systems. An AN/MSC-46 satellite terminal was installed at Landstuhl, Germany. Pirmasens Signal Facility was tasked to provide operational support for the terminal which provided five voice and data channels to Fort Dix, New Jersey. STRATCOM-Europe acquired another satellite terminal located in Gura, Ethiopia, from the Satellite Communications Command in September of the same year. The link between Gura and Landstuhl was established when a second MSC-46 was installed at Landstuhl, and the site transferred to STRATCOM-Europe in December of 1967. Due to increasing responsibilities and missions, the STRATCOM-Europe headquarters was expanding along with the rest of the command. Consequently, a Command and Control Battalion was organized on 10 March 1966. The Battalion's primary mission was to provide a specified support to the Headquarters, USASTRATCOM, and the Engineering Agency, USASTRATCOM-EUR. |
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| After less than 10 months in command, BG Bess departed Europe on 20 July 1966, to become the Deputy Commander of STRATCOM at its new headquarters in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. As BG John E. Kelsey assumed command of STRATCOM-Europe, he saw tumultuous times ahead. The command was preparing to expand its area of responsibility and assume the final remnants of the USAREUR Signal Brigade functions. The world situation, however, added a few critical problems. The war Vietnam was deepening, and STRATCOM-Europe could no longer protect its manpower. Also, President DeGaulle intended to withdraw France from the NATO alliance and order all NATO troops to leave the country. On 25 August 1966, the 4th Signal Group joined STRATCOM-Europe. With the 4th Group came the responsibility of providing fixed plant telephone, teletype, radio and data communications support to USAREUR elements in Germany. The addition of the 4th Group represented a major turning point for STRATCOM-Europe. The mission of the command was transformed from a strictly DCS oriented one to a more general C-E type mission which provided communications support down to the individual subscriber. The following day, 26 August, Headquarters, EUCOM announced its plans to move from France to Stuttgart, Germany; thus beginning the NATO-wide operation known as the French Relocation (FRELOC). The 106th Signal Group, which was to move with the headquarters, had to maintain communications both in Paris and in Stuttgart during the entire move. The remainder of the NATO communications system was to be moved from France by 31 March 1967; the date set by the French government to have all NATO troops out of France. All units and activities of STRATCOM-Europe were involved in the relocation, as those units already in Germany supported those relocating from France. The STRATCOM-Europe Engineering Command along with 120 additional personnel was given primary responsibility to engineer and install all relocated communications systems within Germany. The 22nd Signal Group supported the operation by keeping communications channels into France open until 16 March 1967. Through close cooperation with USAREUR and 7th Army C-E personnel, the command met the challenge and the unprecedented move was completed well in advance of the 31 March deadline. In an effort to supply communications to the units and activities relocated from France, STRATCOM-Europe went into a major expansion program involving over 70 Class IV projects. These included expansion or construction of new radio sites by the 22nd Signal Group at Vaihingen, Zweibruecken, Pirmasens, Boeblingen, Donnersberg, Hohenstadt and Koenigstuhl. The 4th Signal Group installed and operated nearly 50 additional DCOs and communications centers. Finally, the Westward Extension Project, directed by the 22nd Signal Group was completed in order to extend the European Tropo-Army (ET-A) System from Germany to England. The impact of the French relocation and the increase of personnel and communications requirements forced the four Signal Groups to revert from the rigid TO&E structures to the flexible, but sometimes burdensome, TDA concepts. The resulting name changes were slight: Signal Service Group 4, Signal Group 22, Signal Support Group 106 and Signal Support Group 516. In November 1967, the STRATCOM-Europe Engineering Command became a STRATCOM-Europe staff section, headed by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Systems Project management. (Three years later, it would revert to a command again.) By the close of 1967, the dust had settled from the relocation. The headquarters of USEUCOM, USAREUR, USNAVEUR and USAFE were finally tied into a unique voice system known as the European Command and Control Console System. Using the ET-A framework, ECCCS tied the four headquarters and various selected sites into a unified conference network which could establish theater-wide master conferences by allowing all users to be interconnected. The system was completed in 1972 when Headquarters, SETAF joined the net. The fourth commander of STRATCOM-Europe, BG Thomas K. Trigg, assumed command on STRATCOM-Europe's 4th birthday, 1 July 1968. By this time, the command was suffering from the shortage of personnel which was affecting the rest of USAREUR. Personnel resources were austere and turnover was continuous to support the Vietnam effort. STRATCOM-Europe took this opportunity to stabilize and concentrate on three new communications systems: AUTOVON (Automatic Voice Network); AUTODIN (Automatic Digital Network); and AUTOSEVOCOM (Automatic Secure Voice Communications). The AUTODIN system was designed to replace the older and slower torn tape relay system. A Coltano, Italy, AUTODIN Switching Center (ASC) was opened 19 February 1969, near the site where Marconi pioneered radio communications. The Air Force also opened a station at Croughton, England. Using these ASCs and others in operation, messages could now be sent instantly around the command, or around the world. AUTOVON was the principle long haul unsecure voice communications network within the DCS, with AUTOSEVOCOM being its secure counterpart. In order to introduce these global systems to Europe, many problems were encountered in interfacing the 4-wire AUTOVON system with European dialing equipment. However, the command overcame these problems and, in June 1969, an 850 line switch was activated at Donnersberg. Late on 1 March 1970, a 250 line switch became operational at Coltano, Italy. Colonel Charles R. Myer assumed command or STRATCOM-Europe on 24 November 1969. He was promoted to Brigadier General on New Year's Day 1970. By this time, the command had grown to 9,000 personnel spread over 2.5 million square miles. The Army was changing. President Nixon intended to convert the Army into an all-volunteer force. This meant many changes for the soldiers, particularly in living conditions and working environment. STRATCOM-Europe was changing, too. Technical Control Facilities were installed at various microwave stations throughout the command. These facilities break down multiplexed signals into single voice channels, thus simplifying problem detection and correction. Contemporaneously, the 72nd Signal Battalion completed its testing of the newest AUTODIN hardware, the Digital Subscriber Terminal Equipment or DSTE. For the first time since the move from France, STRATCOM-Europe began to shuffle its assets. On 1 July 1970, Signal Support Group 516 was inactivated. Its two civilian labor service companies and the 102nd Signal Battalion were shifted to Signal Service Group 4, and the 72nd Signal Battalion became subordinate directly to STRATCOM-Europe headquarters. Also on 1 July, the Area Maintenance Supply Facility opened shop in Neuostheim (they moved to Sullivan Barracks in Mannheim, Germany the following March). The AMSF provided repair and maintenance support for all fixed station facilities and some transportable communications systems. On 10 December 1970, the Deputy Chief of Staff for System Project Management reverted to a command organization known as Communications Electronics Engineering and Installation Agency-Europe (CEEIA-EUR). CEEIA-EUR would engineer, install and test new equipment before it was turned over to STRATCOM-Europe. The new organization was immediately tasked with two major USAREUR-wide projects. These included an upgrade of the USAREUR Telephone System and an upgrade of Army Airfield communications. The latter project involved 41 airfields throughout Germany and England and was CEEIA-EUR's first encounter with airfield engineering. In December 1971, one of the last USAREUR Signal Brigade activities still held by USAREUR Headquarters became part of STRATCOM-Europe. This new responsibility was the 69th Signal Company (Photo), which photographically recorded USAREUR unit activities in the field. With this acquisition, the only C-E functions left within USAREUR were those held by the DCSC-E staff. By the time BG Myer left the command on 8 May 1972, STRATCOM-Europe had made significant achievements. The Vietnam war appeared to be phasing down and the Modern Volunteer Army was becoming a reality. However, racial unrest and drug problems plagued the European theater and proved to be a challenge to its leadership. The Deputy Commander for BG Myer, Colonel Kenneth L. Shiflet, served as the STRATCOM-Europe commander for the next five weeks. On 24 May 1972, a terrorist bomb exploded in the parking lot of Campbell Barracks in Heidelberg. Two people were killed and the ECCCS Console Local Equipment (CLE) van for USAREUR Headquarters was destroyed. Also, 114 active microwave channels between Heidelberg and Donnersberg were disrupted. Signal Group 22 dispatched a team to assess the damage and restore the circuits at 7:40 P.M. that evening. By 3:40 A.M., the radio frequency path between Heidelberg and Donnersberg was repaired and the CLE was again fully operational. Brigadier General Richard W. Swenson became the new commander on 22 June 1972. Ten days later, he gained responsibility for the communications center and the DCS VHF link in Daharan, Saudi Arabia. Six weeks later, on 28 August, a commercial satellite channel was opened from Tehran to CONUS. When American involvement in Vietnam ended in early 1973, the distinguished 39th Signal Battalion came to STRATCOM-Europe. The 39th was the first signal battalion in Vietnam and the last one out. Its colors were flown by an officer escort from Saigon to Frankfurt. On 28 March 1973, the 39th Signal Battalion, replaced the 447th Signal Battalion which was deactivated. On 19 April 1973, a third AUTODIN ASC was activated in Augsburg to support the Department of Defense Intelligence Community in the area (the switch was deactivated two years later). The Department of the Army, on 1 July 1973, gave STRATCOM a new mission: Air Traffic Control at all US Army Airfields. STRATCOM-Europe was faced with the problem of organizing ATC functions within Europe which at that time were performed by some 26 different organizations in USAREUR. To assist the Command in this task, the 14th Aviation Company (ATC) joined STRATCOM-Europe on 1 July 1973. By December 1974, all operational functions had been shifted from USAREUR, and the command had full responsibility for the Air Traffic Control facilities and navigational aids at 43 Army airfields throughout Europe. STRATCOM-Europe ceased to exist on 1 October 1973. On that date, the US Army Strategic Communications Command was redesignated the US Army Communications Command, by order of the Army Chief of Staff, General Creighton W. Abrams. The term "strategic" no longer described a command whose responsibilities included non-DCS functions. The US Army Communications Command-Europe (USACC-EUR) was short-lived, however. During its nine month existence, it was preoccupied with the impending birth of the 5th Signal Command. |
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
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| Letter, Commander,
US Army Strategic Communications Command, Wash, D.C., dated 17 Jul
64, subject: Establishment of US Army Strategic Communications Command-Europe
History of the US Army Communications Command 1964-1976 Organizational Chart, USASTRATCOM-Eur/DCS Comm-EL, Sep 65 - Mar 66 Letter, Commander, 516th Signal Group to CG, USASTRATCOM-Eur, dated 12 Jan 66, subject: Unit Crests and Histories Annual History, FY 1971, STRATCOM-Eur Organizational Chart, USASTRATCOM-Eur, Oct 72 End of Tour Report, Commander, Signal Support Group 4, USACC-EUR, dated 11 Jan 74 The Echo, A Publication of STRATCOM-Eur/5th Signal Command, various issues from 18 Jun 69 to date |
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Section
III
1 July 1974 - 30 September 1975 |
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HISTORY
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5TH
SIGNAL COMMAND
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STRATCOM-Europe,
from the time of its activation in 1964, was organized on a functional
basis. Signal Group 22 had primary responsibility for communications
links between major subscribers north of the Alps, while the Signal
Service Group 4 controlled all DCOs and communications centers in
the same area. The geographical separation of units under these
two groups presented many command and control problems. As a result,
a decision was made to reorganize the group responsibilities around
geographical areas. Each signal group would have total responsibility
for all communications facilities within its own area. One group
would service the Southern portion of Germany while the other group
would service Northern Germany, Belgium, Holland and England. It
was also decided that signal units which were being phased out of
Vietnam would be activated in Europe to asume the new missions created
by the reorganization.
The 12th Signal Group (Provisional) was organized on 2 April 1974, as part of this reorganization. The group was formed in order to organize the smaller independent units within USACC-EUR into one organization for administrative and command and control purposes. This new group which replaced the USACC-EUR Support Battalion included the AMSF, the 69th Signal Company (Photo), the 6981st Civilian Labor Group, the Theater COMSEC Logistics Support Center (formerly Command Issuing Office, Europe), the 14th ATC and the USACC-EUR Service Company. On 1 July 1974, the proposed reorganization became reality. Not only was the command completely reorganized but it was given a new name, the 5th Signal Command. This change to a numerical designation was done in order to distinguish the command as an operational headquarters as opposed to a managerial headquarters. Nearly every subordinate unit in the command received a new name and mission. The 2nd Signal Group, formerly Signal Group 22, was given the responsibility for communications in Northern Germany, Belgium, Holland and England. Signal Support Group 4 was changed to the 160th Signal Group and was given all communications in Southern Germany. Signal Group 106 was deactivated and its responsibilitries for support of HQ EUCOM were taken over by part of the 52nd Signal Battalion which was part of the 160th Signal Group. Along with the new name, the 5th Signal Command also received a new headquarters. In March 1974, USAREUR Headquarters had announced that the 5th Signal Command must move its headquarters from Schwetzingen to Taukkunen Barracks in Worms, Germany. The reason for the move was that a merger of staffs between USAREUR and the Theater Army Support Command (formerly the Comm Z) had created a requirement for more office space in the Heidelberg area. Therefore, Project Roundtable was begun in order to plan and organize the task of moving over 900 personnel, not including military dependents, to Worms. On 15 June, the move was begun and on 1 August, a ceremony was held at Taukkunen Barracks in which the 5th Signal Command officially took command of the Kaserne. It was not until mid-September, however, that the move was officially completed. This marked the first time in the history of the command that all headquarters staff elements, including CEEIA-EUR, were located at the same Kaserne. Following the removal of US troops from Vietnam, the general trend in the Army was toward reducing personnel strength while at the same time increasing overall efficiency. In light of this trend, the Army implemented Project 16/78. This program is the Army's plan to add three combat divisions by 1978 using existing manpower resources. The additional personnel required for these new divisions are to be taken from non-combat units, and the 5th Signal Command was directed to reduce its overall personnel strength by 1978. To accomplish this reduction, three subordinate units are to be deactivated on 30 June 1975. These units include the 12th Signal Group, the 69th Photo Company, and the 534th Signal Company. The responsibilities of the 69th Photo Company will be transferred to USAREUR while those of the remaining two units will be retained within the command. Another phase of the 16/78 Project was the amalgamation of the USAREUR DCSC-E staff with the 5th Signal Command headquarters. The purpose of this amalgamation was to streamline the C-E endeavor in Europe and eliminate duplication of effort between the two staffs. On 16 April 1975, a proposed amalgamation plan was approved by DA, and, on 21 April, the transfer of C-E functions to the 5th Signal Command Headquarters was started. By 23 May, the transfer was complete and the 5th Signal Command had sole responsibility for the overall communications and electronics functions in Europe. As the command looks ahead, the future of the 5th Signal Command holds many challenging problems. Among these are additional personnel cuts required by Project 16/78. However, along with this decrease in personnel, no appropriate decrease in the command's overall mission is scheduled. Instead, new projects and missions are appearing almost daily. If the past is an indication of the future, the 5th Signal Command will meet these and other challenges in the same professional manner as they have since 1964, and continue to supply effective and responsive communications to the US Army in Europe. |
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Section
IV
1 July 1975 - 30 September 1976 |
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HISTORY
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5TH
SIGNAL COMMAND
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AN
OVERVIEW 1 JULY 1975 - 30 JUNE 1976
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| The history of the 5th Signal Command during FY 76 continued to record an ever increasing growth in the Command's support requirements for US Army |
