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The commanding generals of U.S. Army Europe and the 21st Theater Sustainment Command received an overview of theater logistics operations and planning from key subordinate leaders and subject matter experts during a logistical table-top exercise held July 27 on Rhine Ordnance Barracks.
Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general of USAREUR, and Maj. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, commanding general of the 21st TSC, received detailed accounts of present and future missions and provided guidance during the exercise.
The TTX featured a large map of Europe with representations of the various units stationed across the continent, giving attendees a visual of where operations and exercises are taking place, where U.S. and allied forces will be situated in the future and how the 21st TSC will logistically support ongoing operations such as Atlantic Resolve.
“I am big into visualizing what’s going to happen,” Gamble said. “It took a lot of work to get all of the leaders here so that we can visualize what’s going on because if we don’t visualize it, we can’t anticipate it.”
The exercise gave subject matter experts the opportunity to break down upcoming events throughout Europe. The TTX also gave details on how the 21st TSC would support each event, from providing fuel, to delivering mail to units operating in countries throughout the Baltics and other Eastern European countries.
During the gathering, Hodges emphasized that fostering strong logistical partnerships with allied nations will continue to build upon an already Strong Europe.
The TTX gave leaders a glimpse of what the essential and complex role logistics play in the many regional exercises and rotational force support missions across Europe.
“The real important piece here isn’t necessarily the table-top brief,” said Lt. Col Jacob Brown, 21st TSC’s chief of future operations. “What is important is all the late nights working together between the different staff sections and NATO countries. The (TTX) is just the formalized portion that really solidifies that piece between various staffs and agencies in order to work through the key logistical points.”
For Soldiers, logistics plays a huge role in whether and how units on the ground can accomplish their mission.
“I was told by a general officer before that, ‘amateurs do tactics; professionals do logistics, because it’s that hard,’” Brown said. “You can’t shoot, move or communicate without a logistician touching things multiple times in order to get you to that point.”
