Welcome to the Bavarian Millitary Community

20 Welcome to the U.S.Army Garrison Grafenwoehr. September - In an unusual statistical milestone, for the first time in U.S. history, Army retir- ees outnumber active-duty personnel because of radical downsizing of the U.S. Army. 1994 April - The 283rd Base Support Battalion inactivates and the Wildflecken Train- ing Area is returned to the German government. October - 7th Army Training Center hosts the larg- est, most technologically complex, joint and combined computer-assisted train- ing exercise in the U.S. Army to date, ATLANTIC RESOLVE 94, which replaces the annual REFORGER exercises. 1995 October - The Nuremberg AST at Merrill Barracks is closed and returned to the German government. December - To enforce a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Balkans, 20,000 U.S. Soldiers deploy to Bos- nia for Operation Joint Endeavor. In the first three months, the U.S. Air Force flies 3,000 missions, more than 15,600 troops, and delivers more than 30,100 tons of cargo. Many of the combat and support elements are trained, then airlifted from the GTA directly to the Balkans. 1996 January - 7th ATC participates in Task Force Eagle peace support certification operations prior to their departure for Operation Joint Endeavor. The JMTC maintains an active role in training units deploying to the Balkans as part of Operation Joint Guard, and deploy- ments to Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo for Operation Joint Guardian. June - NATO deploys Kosovo Force (KFOR) to promote stability in the Balkans. USA- REUR’s Task Force Falcon deploys as the main element of the Multinational Brigade. September - After years of civil war Kabul and Afghanistan fall to the Taliban. 1997 1997-2000: The draw-down forces the closure of many USAREUR bases in Germany. With few exceptions the bases are turned over to the German govern- ment. Planning begins for the construc- tion of a Multi-Purpose Range Complex at the Grafenwoehr Training Area. 1999 March - Operation Allied Force, NATO combat operations against Serbia, commence. USAREUR deploys Task Force Hawk to Albania in support of the operation. May - The GTA Range 117 modernization and expansion project is completed to meet the new gunnery requirements of the M1A2 Tank. Likewise, Range 204 is completed to meet the standards of the Operation Desert Storm Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Fielding of the new M109A6 Paladin Howitzer and German Howitzer 2000 results in new proce- dures and firing areas to allow realistic training with new artillery systems. NATO turns 50. 2000 September - The Grafenwoehr Training Area is being assessed for possible closure. It’s strategic significance and importance to U.S. Army Europe are discussed at the highest levels of the Pentagon. History of the Grafenwoehr Training Area