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Kaiserslautern civic leaders received a first-hand look at the new U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz headquarters facility and the various units and missions that operate from Rhine Ordnance Barracks July 28.
Meeting with local leaders helps fortify the strong alliance between neighboring communities while providing a unique look behind the gates of USAG RP installations, said Col. Keith E. Igyarto, USAG RP commander.
“Our German-American relationship is constant and strong within the Rheinland-Pfalz region,” the garrison commander said. “We appreciate and value the partnership we share with our community friends and look forward to opportunities like this to strengthen our bond by inviting them to visit installations within our garrison footprint.”
Local civic leaders were reacquainted with the garrison’s considerable mission and scope during a mission briefing. Later, they explored the Directorate of Emergency Services’ multifaceted mission to include briefings and equipment tours from the fire department and military police and observed a military working dog demonstration.
The visitors also received a tour of the Maj. Gen. James M. Wright Deployment Center where they viewed the center’s refueling and defueling station, vehicle wash rack and personnel holding area for transient Soldiers.
Lastly, they met with Col. David Shank, commander of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, who informed the group about the distinctive mission and capabilities of the command as well as its participation in the multinational exercise Sabre Guardian 17, an annual U.S. European Command, U.S. Army Europe-led exercise taking place in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.
David Sirakov with the Atlantic Academy Kaiserslautern, said he was able to see a different side of the garrison, from a combat support aspect.
“Seeing the barracks where the Soldiers stay helps you get an idea of what goes on for them,” he explained. “It’s a complex new insight when you visit these areas and realize what deployments are all about. During the tour, we saw the breadth of the missions the garrison encompasses, and that transparency fosters our German-American relationship.”
Seeing ROB for the first time was Gabriele Wollenweber, who said she found the installation fascinating.
“Everything was interesting to me,” said Wollenweber, Kaiserslautern city council. “Being able to speak to several people from the fire department and police and seeing military working dogs was very exciting.”
The garrison counts on the enduring, positive German-American friendship to perform its mission every day, Igyarto said.
“We can’t do our jobs without your friendship and cooperation in the local communities,” he said to the civic leaders. “Thank you for being with us today and for your continued support of our garrison.”
