New simulation center opens on Panzer Kaserne

The 21st Theater Sustainment Command opened a new Joint Multinational Simulation Center March 28 in Bldg. 3005 on Panzer Kaserne in Kaiserslautern.
The simulation team occupied the location in October, and after months of preparation, conversion and renovation, the building has been transformed into a simulation center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the occasion. Maj. Gen. Patricia E. McQuistion, the 21st TSC commanding general, assisted with the honors.

“This training center will provide an excellent opportunity for units and Soldiers west of the Rhine River to conduct first class training using simulations to prepare them for their wartime missions,” said Douglas Meckley, the 21st TSC simulations center manager.

The success of the new simulation center on Panzer depends on the 21st TSC’s ability to maintain a strong partnership between the units within the command and the Joint Multinational Simulation Center’s main facility in Grafenwöhr, Germany.
Most of the equipment used to assemble the center on Panzer, which operates with many of the same capabilities as the facility in Grafenwöhr, came from JMSC Graf itself, Mr. Meckley said.

This is more than a simulation center, he said. The class rooms support a digital university, which trains Soldiers how to operate the digital command and control systems.

Another benefit of utilizing the simulation center on Panzer is its ability to create geographic specific terrain locations, which units can maneuver through using simulation while becoming familiar with locations of potential deployments.
Furthermore, the digital university of JMSC Graf and the simulation center on Panzer trains units and individual operators on 17 different battle command systems, according to a JMSC Graf fact sheet.

In addition, the facility on Panzer offers a course for the Standard Army Maintenance System-Installation Enhancement. This new system provides users with an advanced method of creating detailed reports on military equipment and uses a windows interface.

“We have made it our mission to maximize this facility to support simulations, exercises, training and other community functions,” Mr. Meckley said.

Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army can attend training at the simulation center on Panzer. To request unit training, call 475-JMSC or e-mail digital.univ@eur.army.mil.