New troop increase to affect USAREUR community (Page 267)

Last week, our President laid out the way ahead in Afghanistan, which includes sending 30,000 additional troops to seize the initiative and build the Afghan capacity to allow for a responsible transition of our forces.

Our nation counts on the Army to organize, train, and equip forces that can deploy and achieve the strategic objectives the President sets forth. That is why we exist. You are all volunteers and patriots; however, I know you also wonder how the President’s initiative will affect your unit, your post, your family.

We do expect some additional U.S. Army Europe units to deploy as part of this initiative, and we will notify the units, families and communities affected as soon as the Secretary of Defense approves the deployment orders.

Because of the growth of the Army over the past five years and the responsible drawdown in Iraq, the Army will be able to execute this increase while ending stop-loss and continuing to provide units at least 12 months at home after every 12 months of deployment.

Assuming the drawdown in Iraq continues, we will also continue to make progress toward our goal of at least two years at home station for every year deployed. Even with the increased forces in Afghanistan ordered by the President, we estimate that more than two thirds of the active component will reach these goals within the next two years.

USAREUR Soldiers, families and civilians, like those everywhere, are experiencing the stress of repeated deployments. Over the past two years, more than one third of USAREUR forces were deployed at any given time.

Currently, elements of V Corps headquarters, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, 5th Signal Command, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade and others are deployed, while the 172nd Brigade and the 16th Sustainment Brigade have just returned. The 1st Armored Division headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, portions of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command and others are preparing to deploy.

As the President noted, this burden is not ours alone to bear. This is not just America’s war, and our European Allies are engaged and are even increasing their own troop contributions. Recently, another continuing partnership between 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment and Romanian soldiers began training in Hohenfels for deployment to Afghanistan.

I share your concerns for our Army families. You have carried an enormous burden in this war, and I am committed to providing a level of care and support commensurate with your service and sacrifice.

Our Army has never failed to answer the nation’s call. The American people expect nothing less. They thank you, and I thank you.

New troop increase to affect USAREUR community

Last week, our President laid out the way ahead in Afghanistan, which
includes sending 30,000 additional troops to seize the initiative and
build the Afghan capacity to allow for a responsible transition of our
forces.Read More

When the Berlin Wall came down

Celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall some decades ago. Read More

History of the Nutcracker

Strolling across Christmas markets in Germany, shoppers will find unique wooden items and other figures.Read More

Make your own holiday treats

Glühwein Recipe Ingredients: • 0,75 l red wine • 10 cubes of sugar • 2 oranges • 2 cinnamon sticks • 20 cloves Directions: Combine wine and sugar in a pot to heat, but do not boil the wine. Stick cloves into one half of the oranges (this way youRead More

Pick your own Christmas tree

Several local tree farms allow patrons to select and cut their own Christmas tree: Tannengrün Schaible Herterstraße 7, 71254 Ditzingen Phone: 0170-7720933 E-mail: Tannengruen-Schaible@gmx.de. Weihnachtsbäume Markus Silcher Heckbachstr. 7, 71404 Korb-Kleinheppach Phone: 07151-606758 or 0170-868-8901 Zabergäu-Tanne Bernhard Schmoll Nordhausener Str. 34, 74336 Brackenheim-Hausen Phone: 07135-6468 or 0173-8712016 E-mail: kb.schmoll@gmx.de.Read More

Stuttgart baseball clinic hosts college coaches from U.S.

Only one thing could make 40 teenage boys run bases, catch grounders
and practice their swing during a cold, wet November weekend in
Stuttgart, Germany: the love of the game.

And the yells of encouragement from five college baseball coaches from the United States.Read More

Soldiers, civilians must complete casualty forms by Dec. 31

The Department of the Army has required that all units and agencies
have 100 percent accountability on casualty processing forms by Dec.
31.

The Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operation Center now uses the
Interactive Personnel Electronic Records Management System to view a
Soldier’s DD Form 93 and Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Election
and Certificate for all casualty notification cases, to include Very
Serious Injury and Serious Injury.
Read More

German, U.S. officials sign permanent fuel ration agreement

Gas privileges extended to more government personnel, vehicles

MANNHEIM, Germany — The final arrangement governing use of the fuel
ration card for U.S. servicemembers and eligible civilian employees in
Germany is now in effect, U.S. Army Europe Office of the Provost
Marshal officials announced.Read More

Fall of Berlin Wall 20th anniversary celebrated

On behalf of the U.S. European Command Headquarters noncommissioned officers, EUCOM Headquarters Commandant Command Sgt. Major Delbert Hoskins presents Fleet Master Chief Roy M. Maddocks, representing the EUCOM Headquarters, with a plaque commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall Nov. 20 during a ceremony on PatchRead More

Germany
Fuel Type	Per Gallon	Per Liter	+/-
Super E10	$3.555	$.0939	-
Super	$4.123	$1.1089	-
Super Plus	$4.480	$1.183	-
Diesel	$4.169	$1.101	-

Czech Krone:	Kč 21.12
Egyptian Pound:	E£ 49.54
Hungarian Forint:	Hf 342.20
Israeli Shekel:	₪ 3.33
Polish Zloty:	zł 3.64
Turkish Lira:	₵ 40.1770

New troop increase to affect USAREUR community (Page 267)

New troop increase to affect USAREUR community

When the Berlin Wall came down

History of the Nutcracker

Make your own holiday treats

Pick your own Christmas tree

Stuttgart baseball clinic hosts college coaches from U.S.

Soldiers, civilians must complete casualty forms by Dec. 31

German, U.S. officials sign permanent fuel ration agreement

Fall of Berlin Wall 20th anniversary celebrated

On The Street: What are you most thankful for?

Garrison ASAP named best in Army 2009

USAG Stuttgart intramural soccer team takes third in finals

‘Traces of Remembrance’ project trails across Europe

Gen. Ham challenges USAREUR community to employ disabled

Garrison, tenant units prepare for H1N1 scenarios

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New troop increase to affect USAREUR community (Page 267)