21st Support Command
US Army, Europe
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23 June 1965 to August 18, 1976

Mission: The initial mission of the 1st Support Brigade was to provide a variety of support services within theater, primarily in the rear areas, that were not provided directly through the staff of USAREUR, or TASCOM (the 1st Support Brigade would later fall under TSCOM, but initially was a separate element). At this time, the three major Corps operating in theater also had significant Support Commands within their own structures.

Background: The 1st Support Brigade was activated basically to pick up where other theater support units left off. Early the brigade's history, USAREUR conducted a significant restructuring that left no major subordinate logistical command and this place a significant burden of support on the brigade, which soon was upgraded to a command. The brigade's first home was Taylor Barracks, Mannheim, Germany. In 1974, TASCOM was merged with Headquarters, United States Army, Europe, and the missions of 1st Support Brigade were expanded to include base operations support for eight military communities as well as the management of regional area support. The brigade was upgraded to a general officer command, and the headquarters moved to Panzer Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, Germany.

How it is different: As a brigade it was not a major subordinate command. It's capabilities of providing support within its structure did not match that of the preceding organizations of the COMZEUR and the TASCOM, and ultimately USAREUR upgraded the unit to something that much more closely matched the structure of the TASCOM.

UNITS		USAREUR GO		DATE
USA Combat Equipment Group, Europe		4723		26 JUN 74
USA Energy Center, Europe		7472		20 SEP 74

UNITS		USAREUR GO		DATE
94th MP Battalion		4773		28 JUN 74
95th MP Battalion		4774		28 JUN 74
RPC Kaiserslautern		8742		1 NOV 74
RPC Karlsruhe		8724		1 NOV 74
RPC Mannheim		7737		30 SEP 74
15th AG Det Postal		5538		24 JUL 74
41st AG Det Postal		5538		24 JUL 74
48th AG Det Postal		5538		24 JUL 74
111th AG Det Postal		5538		24 JUL 74
115th AG Det Postal		5538		24 JUL 74
147th AG Det Postal		5538		24 JUL 74
5th Finance Section		4759		28 JUN 74
44th Finance Section		4759		28 JUN 74
45th Finance Section		4759		28 JUN 74
59th Finance Section		4759		28 JUN 74

USMCA	TDA	USAREUR GO		DATE
Kaiserslautern	E1W33AAA	4689		25 JUN 74
Pirmasens	E1W33GAA	4694		25 JUN 74
Zweibrücken	E1W33PAA	4693		25 JUN 74
Heidelberg	E1W328AA	4695		25 JUN 74
Karlsruhe	E1W33BAA	4690		25 JUN 74
Mannheim	E1W33DAA	4692		25 JUN 74
Worms	E1W33MAA	4691		25 JUN 74
USF SUPDIST Norddeutschland	E1W28IAA	4761		28 JUN 74

UNITS		USAREUR GO		DATE
48th Trans Co (Acft GS)		10137		19 DEC 74
245th Trans Co (Acft GS)		10138		19 DEC 74

		21ST SUPPORT COMMAND This booklet is unclassified. It is designed to provide an overview of the missions, organization, operations, and the scope of the 21st Support Command.
		COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT
		RECEPTION   POMCUS MANAGEMENT   AMMUNITION   THEATER WAR RESERVES   SUPPLY & MAINTENANCE   FIELD SERVICE
		NONCOMBATANT EVACUATION
		COMMUNITY SUPPORT
		HOUSING & FACILITIES SUPPORT   TROOP & FAMILY WELFARE, MORALE SUPPORT
Organizational Chart		The 21st Support Command is the largest forward deployed logistics command in the United States Army. Its primary missions are to support units in and passing through our region and to provide backup support to the corps. Another vital mission is to provide community support to its military personnel, Department of the Army Civilian (DAC) personnel, and their familities. It employs 7,000 military and 17,000 civilians. Approximately 90% of the civilians are local nationals. The majority of military personnel are involved throughout the command in management and command and control positions. The command's annual budget approaches one billion dollars.
		The present geographical composition of 21st Support Command is better appreciated after examining a bit of history. Prior to March of 1967, the COMMZ Europe was USAREUR's logistical base. It was a proven logistical base born in an era of few fiscal restraints. At its zenith, its line of communication across France and West Germany was an impressive logistical network. After the decision was made that US Forces would leave France, all facilities with the exception of the pertoleum pipeline, which is in daily use, were closed out. See the Logistical Commands List for pages dedicated to some of the Com Z units (Com Zone, 4th Log Comd, and others).
		The USAREUR logistical network changed dramatically from the 1967 COMMZ Europe to its current configuration, shown on the left. Its mission and workload have increased substantially, and its boundaries have been radically altered. With the elimination of a support base in France, all operations were moved into Germany, the Benelux countries, and Great Britain. In essence, 21st Support Command inherited a logistical battlefield lacking depth.
		Today, USAREUR has divided the Federal Republic of Germany into three regions: V and VII Corps support US elements in their geographical regions of responsibility. 21st Support Command supports US elements located throughout the remainder of the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as Great Britain, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
		THEATER COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT
		RECEPTION Exercises/Training/Contingencies   POMCUS MANAGEMENT   STORAGE & MAINTENANCE OF AMMUNITION   THEATER WAR RESERVE STORAGE   SUPPLY & MAINTENANCE   FIELD SERVICE
		The Combat Service Support missions of the 21st Support Command are primarily executed by organic units
		Combat Equipment Group, Europe One major subordinate unit deeply involved in these functions is the Combat Equipment Group, Europe (CEGE). Headquartered at Mannheim, this unique organization has a mission of significant strategic importance. CEGE receives, configures, stores, maintains and issues equipment required to put existing and developing division sets on the ground in Europe.
		Two CEGE battalions located in CENTAG are headquartered at Landstuhl and Karlsruhe. They store and maintain equipment for division sets 1 through 3. In the NORTHAG area another CEGE battalion, headquartered at Moenchengladbach, stores equipment for division set 4, for the AFCENT Reserve Corps. Storage sites for division set 5 equipment, also in NORTHAG, have been acquired at Grobbendonk and Zutendaal in Belgium and at Hendrik in The Netherlands, with constrcution already underway at the Belgian sites. Negotiations are ongoing for storage sites for division set 6 equipment at Almelo, Coevorden and Ter Apel in The Netherlands.
		We use four types of storage for POMCUS equipment. Conventional warehouses are provided at all POMCUS sites primarily to store non-mechanized equipment. Open storage is used primarily for trailers and other equipment unable to be stored in currently available warehouse space. The best type of storage is controlled humidity. This is accomplished by warehouses and stress tension structures. We have 117 of these (humidity controlled) warehouses in the Command: 113 in the Federal Republic of Germany and 4 in Belgium. Inside this type of warehouse (humidity controlled), we store door-to-door, wall-to-wall, and bumber-to-bumper with only 18" access aisles between equipment. See the CEGE Page for more details on the Combat Equipment Group Europe.
		POMCUS AUTHORIZATIONS
		Engineer Mechanical 18,000   Wheeled Vehicles 16,000   Trailers 11,000   Tracked Vehicles 5,000   COMMEL 16,000   Crew Served Weapons 9,000   Other 277,000 Total 352,000
		Our POMCUS authorizations had an initial acquisition cost in excess of one billion dollars. This equipment is currently valued at $3.5 billion. In the category classified as "Other" are such items as light sets, telephone sets, carpenter and mechanic tool kits, equipment accessory kits, and pioneer tool outfits.
		60th Ordnance Group Another major subordinate unit playing a vital role in 21st SUPCOM's Combat Service Support mission is 60th Ordnance Group.
		THEATER AMMUNITION SUPPORT - MISSIONS
		STORE   MAINTAIN / RENOVATE   ISSUE   EOD
		The Group's major mission is Theater Ammunition Support.
		Approximately 75% of the Theater ammunition stockpile, valued at over $2 billion, is stored in diverse locations throughout the Federal Republic of Germany, Belgium and Great Britain. These sites store War Reserve Stocks and the basic load of ammuntion for POMCUS units. The 84th Ordnance Battalion operates the majority of these sites. Construction planning is ongoing for additional storage sites to be located in Northern Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands. The key ammunition storage, maintenance, and distribution center in Germany is Miesau Army Depot, the most active ammunition depot in the free world, with an ammunition storage capacity of over 200,000 short tons. Miesau has the only facility on the continent to maintain the ammunition stockpile in a serviceable condition. At a cost of $4.5 million, approximately $60 million of ammunition was returned to a serviceable condition in FY 81. This resulted in a cost savings of $13 for each $1 spent. With its two railheads, Miesau is the hub of the ammunition distribution system in Germany. The 60th Ordnance Group also provides explosive ordnance disposal support in Germany as well as EOD support to the Secret Service and States Department missions in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This expertise ranges from disarming improvised terrorist bombs to the rendering safe of both friendly and enemy chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. The Group also provides the ammunition staff for the 21st Support Command. See the 60th Ord Gp Page for more details on the 60th Ord Group and subordinate units.
		29th Area Support Group Another major subordinate unit of 21st SUPCOM is the 29th Area Support Group.
		29th AREA SUPPORT GROUP - MISSIONS
		THEATER WAR RESERVE STOCKS   THEATER ARMY REPAIR PROGRAM   DS / GS MAINTENANCE
		The 29th Area Support Group has major storage and maintenance facilities in Kaiserslautern and Germersheim in Germany, and Bettembourg, Luxembourg. Theater War Reserve Stocks consist of approximately 400,000 tons of all classes of supply except ammunition and medical. These stocks are valued at over $1.5 billion. 29th Area Support Group executes the major portion of 21st SUPCOM's Theater Army Repair Program. The Kaiserslautern Reserve Storage Activity stores 172,000 tons of all classes of supply except bulk POL, ammunition and medical supplies in 35 acres of covered, and 68 acres of open storage. Another assigned element of the 29th Area Support Group is the Germersheim Reserve Storage Activity which stores 175,000 tons of major end items, construction materials, packaged POL, and repair parts in 13.5 acres of covered and 163 acres of open storage. The Reserve Storage Activity, Luxembourg, also subordinate to the 29th Area Support Group stores 30,000 tons of major end items and repair parts in 106 acres. Its 19 controlled humidity warehouses provide over one million square feet of covered storage space. See the 29th ASG Page for more details on the 29th Area Support Gp and its subordinate units.
		Theater Army Repair Program
		21st Support Command, through 29th Area Suppoprt Group, accomplishes over 90% of the total USAREUR Theater Army Repair Program in terms of both quantity and dollars. Currently, this involves in excess of $70 million. This program supports automotive and construction equipment, combat items, general items and components, and the ¼-ton rebuild program. We operate the direct exchange point for several items including the 2½-ton multi-fuel and diesel engines.
		47th Area Support Group The 47th Area Support Group (Provisional), headquartered near Liverpool, England, is responsible for the execution of our mission in Great Britain.
		47th AREA SUPPORT GROUP - MISSIONS
		RECEIVE, STORE, MAINTAIN, AND ISSUE TR-1 AND POMCUS   RECEIVE, STORE, RENOVATE, AND MAINTAIN AMMUNITION   STORE AND MAINTAIN MARINE FLEET
		Reserve Storage Activity, Caerwent receives, stores, and maintains conventional ammunition at its two storage sites, Caerwent and Bramley, under the supervision of the 60th Ordnance Group. The Cearwent Storage Site is an ammunition storage and maintenance activity with a storage capacity of 80,000 short tons of ammunition. The Bramely Storage Site is located about 50 miles west of London. It has a capacity of 64,000 short tons of ammunition and is serviced almost exclusively by rail. USAREUR's Marine Fleet is stored and maintained at the Reserve Storage Activity, Hythe. At the Reserve Storage Activity, Hythe, near Southampton, we store and maintain the Marine Fleet on 11 acres of land and 11 acres of water. The watercraft are stored in hangars and at mooring. We also store and maintain Delong piers and their associated components. The Reserve Storage Activity, Burtonwood stores Theater War Reserve items, medical stocks, and some POMCUS stocks. In its one covered warehouse at Burtonwood are 47 acres, or over two million square feet of covered storage space.
		51st and 66th Maintenance Battalions The 21st SUPCOM provides maintenance and supply support through two maintenance battalions: the 66th Maintenance Battalion, headquartered in Kaiserslautern, and assigned to the 29th Area Support Group, and the 51st Maintenance Battalion with headquarters in Mannheim. The personnel strength of each of these units approximates that of three armor battalions. Their missions include repair, repair parts supply, maintenance of tactical vehicles to include turret and optical equipment repair; maintenance of the heavy equipment transporter fleet and commercial design vehicles, special purpose equipment, communications and electronics equipment, and small arms repair. These missions include direct and general support of all POMCUS equipment. The maintenance battalions operate local national apprentice schools to support our work force in both Kaiserslautern and Mannheim. Additionally, the 66th Maintenance Battalion has an apprentice program for local nationals which helps us to overcome mechanic shortfalls. Each battalion has a supply and services company providing mobile laundry, shower and bath, canvas repair and supply support. See the 51st Maint Bn Page and 66th Maint Bn Page for more details on these two organizations and their subordinate units.
		70th Transportation Battalion The 70th Transportation Battalion, headquartered in Mannheim, is our aviation intermediate maintenance activity. They provide the highest level of aviation maintenance and supply for the Army in Europe. Although each corps has an aviation intermediate maintenance battalion, the 70th is the only one with the capability to perform maintenance on both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. It also operates the Army Aircraft Retrograde Facility at Ramstein Air Base. Additionally, they operate Coleman Army Airfield in Mannheim, the busiest army airfield in Europe. The 56th Theater Army Aviation Company, located in Mannheim, provides air transportation within the command area. The 207th Aviation Company, another of the Battalion's units, is located at the Heidelberg Army Airfield. They have the mission of providing aerial movement support to the Commander, US Army, Europe and his staff. These companies account for approximately 16,500 hours of flight time per year, throughout USAREUR. See the 70th Trans Bn Page for more details on the 70th Trans Bn (AVIM) and its subordinate units.
		95th Military Police Battalion Another subordinate unit of 21st Support Command, the 95th MP Battalion, provides such functions as law enforcement, crime prevention, traffic control, and traffic accident investigation, as well as tactical exercise support, physical security, discipline, law and order, and other related military police missions. See the 95th MP Bn Page (not available yet) for more details on the 95th MP Bn and its subordinate units.
		US Army Area Confinement Facility Mannheim Also subordinate to 21st SUPCOM is the only stockade in Germany: the US Army Area Confinement Facility located at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim. This facility, operated by the 77th MP Detachment, supports USAREUR commanders in pre- and post-trial confinement. Approximately 2,400 prisoners are processed annually while the average daily population is approximately 190 prisoners. With few exceptions, post-trial prisoners are transferred to the United States. The only long-term prisoners are those held pending trial in foreign courts.
		Under the area jurisdiction concept, the Commanding General, 21st Support Command, is the general courts-martial convening authority for over 32,000 soldiers in our area of responsibility, shown on the left. We provide total legal support in military justice, administrative law, international law, legal assistance, and claims.
		90th Personnel and Administration Battalion The 90th Personnel and Administration Battalion has its headquarters in Kaiserslautern. They provide personnel service support through four personnel service companies to over 70,000 soldiers, civilians, and family members from 11 separate commands located in 21st SUPCOM's area of responsibility.
		US Army Memorial Affairs Activity, Europe The United States Army Memorial Affairs Activity, Europe, is headquartered in Frankfurt and provides authorized mortuary services. Its three mortuaries are located in Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern, Germany and Vicenza, Italy.
		COMMUNITY SUPPORT
		The other major mission of 21st Support Command is the support of people, or community support. This includes such vital areas as noncombatant evacuation, housing, troops and family welfare, and morale support.
		Through our various community activities, 21st Support Command provides support to over 105,000 personnel including military, DAC's and family members. Our noncombatant evacuation responsibility includes approximately 62,500 identified 21st SUPCOM personnel in the Federal Republic of Germany. However, the total number of evacuees we expect to handle would be significantly increased by noncombatants serving in other governmental agencies, students, tourists, businessmen, and retirees.
		Each of our communities provide a wide variety of morale support activities (community & skill development activities, library activities and physical activities), educational services and other Army Community Services. Chaplain programs are provided throughout the command. Community support operations provide the 21st Support Command with significant challenges.
		These challenges are especially significant in our most wide-spread community, Norddeutschland Support Group. Some units supported are nearly 300 km from the headquarters in Bremerhaven, which is about 600 km from our headquarters here in Kaiserslautern. The Group is responsible for providing both combat service support and community support in its region.
		Our NATO SHAPE Support Group is also wide-spread. This command provides support to the three major NATO headquarters and all US Forces personnel in Belgium and Luzembourg. Full civilian personnel services are provided for NATO personnel in all countries of the NATO alliance outside of the Federal Republic of Germany.
		Future plans for expansion involves a number of organizations. For example, the 7th SUPCOM, presently colocated with the 21st SUPCOM, will be relocated to the NORTHAG area. The newly activated 54th Area Support Group will eventually assume responsibility for the AFCENT Support Activity (US) and plan and provide for logistical and community support of US Forces, affiliated agencies and families members within their area. The geographical focal point for the establishment and development of this planned course of action is located at the Rheinberg facility.