21st TSC talks ‘Year of Integration’ with community leaders

21st Theater Sustainment Com-mand leadership met with leaders within the Kaiserslautern community about the mission and goals the 21st TSC has for 2018, during the unit’s annual New Year’s Reception, Jan. 11, at the Armstrong Club located on the Vogelweh Housing Complex.

True to German tradition, guests were greeted with good luck charms from a local chimney sweep, prior to entering the command team welcome line.

The reception offered attendees direct insight from the 21st TSC command team — Maj. Gen. Steven A. Shapiro and Command Sgt. Maj. Alberto Delgado.

Shapiro highlighted during his remarks that by saying farewell to 2017, it also means saying farewell to what was known as the “Year of Execution.” The commander noted that 2018 would be known as the “Year of Integration.”

“For 2018, the ‘Year of Integration’ signifies that we will increase our continued work with our allies, our partners, and our sister services as we maintain our effort of assurance, deterrence and protection of NATO and U.S. interests and personnel,” Shapiro said.

During Shapiro’s remarks, he also addressed former U.S. Army Europe commander Lt. Gen. Frederick “Ben” Hodges’ vision for 2017.

“During the Year of Execution, the 21st TSC achieved major milestones and our ability to rapidly deploy forces into theater was put to the test,” Shapiro said. “With all of the multinational exercises accomplished in 2017, I believe we achieved Lt. Gen. Hodges’ vision in making 30,000 troops look and feel like 300,000.”

Attendees included Brig. Gen. Thomas Hambach, from the German Allied Forces, members of Rheinland-Pfalz State Parliament, County Commissioner Ralf Lessmeister and mayors from surrounding communities, and State Court Presidents Bernhard Thurn and Markus Gietzen.

“It’s an honor to be invited and it’s an honor to attend,” said Lt. Col. Thies Neelsen, Bundeswehr Logistic Command German Liaison Detachment. “We are already in the midst of logistic support planning for 2018. I could appreciate the importance placed on integration.”

The event closed with a cake cutting ceremony.

For more information, contact Doug Magill, Public Affairs Office, at (0631) 413-7636 or (314) 484-7636