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U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Europe leadership and German Bundesforst colleagues alike gathered on April 12 to celebrate and honor the contributions of Gunther Brinkmann, former Senior Director at the German Federal Forestry Agency (BFA or Bundesforst).
Brinkmann was awarded the U.S. Army Meritorious Public Service Medal, an award presented to individuals who have provided exceptional support to and cooperation with the U.S. military in the conduct of their official duties. Brinkmann’s long and distinguished service with the Bundesforst began in the mid-1980s and by 2005, he was leading the entire Bundesforst force in Germany. He would go on to serve as director for 18 years, retiring in July 2023. His driving force ensured the Bundesforst’s evolving mission sets were successfully supportive to the needs and operations of the U.S. Forces.
At a recognition ceremony on Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, IMCOM-Europe Director Tommy Mize spoke about Brinkmann’s enduring passion and commitment to the work he’s been able to engage in.
“Over [your] long and distinguished career, especially the 18 1/2 years where you led the Bundesforst Forstmeisters that you coached, taught, trained — and the culture that you’ve created within the Bundesforst — it’s a lasting legacy,” said Mize.
An important German partner and supportive agency to IMCOM-Europe and U.S. Forces stationed in Germany, the Federal Agency for Real Estate Tasks (BImA) is one of the largest land-area managers in Germany. Headquartered out of Bonn, a staff of 7,000 manages project work from various locations throughout Germany.
The BImA and Bundesforst together help manage environmental aspects of all U.S. installations and are responsible for green-facility management and nature conservation support on federal properties. They support the maintenance of landscape on Soldier training grounds, ensuring both U.S. and German military units comprehensively look after forest and open-air areas. They also provide many U.S. members opportunities to hunt and fish on these installations while serving in Germany.
Mize spoke to Brinkmann’s expansive work at the Bundesforst and the enhancements he made to not only military training ground environments, but also recreationally, “(…) for the hunting programs that many Americans were able to come out and join, developing those relationships at an individual level — have been equally important. It has really allowed us to establish relationships that have bound us together even more than just the fact that we’re here training and serving together in our militaries.”
Visibly honored by the award and presentation, Brinkmann expressed his sincere gratitude and said he would take this award on behalf of all his colleagues at the Bundesforst. Brinkmann reflected on the evolution of the agency, and it’s shift towards a ‘service’ organization, empowering the improved management of training areas for permanent use.
“To make [a Bundesforst program] a very close partnership with the [German and U.S. military] forces — and then I get this medal today — I think this is an indication that we are on the right way [and] keep [these] close connections and partnership to the forces. And thank you very much for your support over all the years,” said Brinkmann.
