30th MEDCOM Headquarters settles in Sembach

The 30th Medical Command has nearly finished unpacking the last boxes after a summer-long move to the unit’s new home at Sembach Kaserne.

The 30th MEDCOM provides medical support for combat, humanitarian assistance and training missions for U.S. European Command, U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Africa Command, and Operations Enduring Freedom and Kosovo Force. The unit’s move from Heidelberg is part of the U.S. Army’s ongoing transformation effort in Europe.

“Planning started over a year ago when former commander Col. John Cho toured the buildings on Sembach. We began the physical move in July,” said Maj. Richard Floyd, 30th MEDCOM’s deputy logistics officer.

The unit’s greatest challenges were timing the relocation and whether or not the buildings would be ready for the unit to occupy, Floyd said. The move consisted of two major components: equipment and personnel. “Moving desks and computers was the easy part, but personnel are more complex,” Floyd said.

To reduce uncertainty for Soldiers and their families, the unit encouraged families to be involved through town hall meetings and social media forums. For Staff Sgt. Michael Linder, relocating went very well, he said. “I liked living in Heidelberg, the town was really great,” Linder said. “But it’s nice here. And the move was easy and quick.”

A brief call to Heidelberg’s housing office was all it took, he said. A moving truck arrived and could deliver his household goods in two days. His new daily commute, from Vogelweh to Sembach, is akin to his commute from Patrick Henry Village in Heidelberg to Nachrichten Kaserne, where 30th MEDCOM was previously located.
The 421st Multifunctional Medical Battalion Headquarters, one of 30th MEDCOM’s direct reporting units, also relocated this summer from Wiesbaden to Baumholder. Several of its subordinate companies and detachments joined them from various locations throughout Germany.  For more information, visit www.30thmed.army.mil.