19th Theater Support Command
The 19th Theater Support Command's mission is to also provide direct combat service support to units in or passing through the Communication and Combat Zones within the Republic of Korea, in the event of hostilities. Additionally the 19th TSC provides general combat service support to the Theater. The members of 19th TSC would be responsible for executing transition to war, coordinate and conduct Base defense operations, receive, stage and assist with the onward movement and integration of augmentation forces, should it ever become necessary. On order, the 19th TSC would also provide specified logistic support to Allies and other U.S. Forces. During peace time the mission of the 19th Theater Support Command includes providing U.S. Army installation/Base Operations Support and ensuring a quality of life for assigned soldiers, civilians and family members by providing them with everything needed for health, comfort and morale during their assignment to the Republic.
A "multi-component organization," the 19th Theater Support Command is the main logistics unit for U.S. forces in Korea. And aligned with the 19th TSC are various Army Reserve and National Guard units in the States under the so-called "wartrace program." Those stateside units are either under state or Reserve commanders. The 19th TSC also maintains its deputy commanding general, a reservist, at its stateside headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. In wartime, the 19th TSC in South Korea would expand suddenly, with various Army Reserve and National Guard units deploying to South Korea to become a working part of the unit. One of the 19th TSC's main wartime missions is to ensure troops, equipment and supplies flow into Korea and get forwarded to the combat zone.
The 19th TSC has about 3,000 soldiers in South Korea. Full deployment of its Reserve and National Guard components could bring it to a wartime strength of about 20,000. They'd include cooks, clerks, mechanics, mortuary technicians and soldiers in a host of other logistics job fields. And Reserve and National Guard personnel deploy to the 19th TSC in Korea for annual exercises such as RSO&I and Foal Eagle.
In November 2002 senior members of the 19th TSC-Korea met in Des Moines with the Reserve and National Guard commanders whose units are "wartraced" to the 19th TSC. The conference marked the first time all the 19th TSC's Reserve and National Guard components were issued crucial written guidance called "wartrace mission letters". The documents spell out the 19th TSC commanding general's training and other priorities. The Reserve units can use that information to tailor their own training plans in line with that of the unit's commanding general.
Korea's second-largest command celebrated its 35th birthday 15 July, 1999. The 19th Support Command, was activated on July 15, 1964. The command began in Seoul. Six Years after being established it moved to Taegu as a part of the consolidation of Eighth Army Support and Depot Commands. The 19th was part of the U.S. Army Korea Support Command until that command was dissolved. The 19th then merged with the 23rd Support Group to form the 19th Support Brigade (Provisional). In November 1974, the 19th became a non divisional brigade. In March 1977, the Brigade was designated as the 19th Support Command. On 14 February 1994, the 19th Support Command was re-designated the 19th Theater Army Area Command headquartered in Taegu. On 16 June 2000, the 19th Theater Army Area Command was re-designated the 19th Theater Support Command (Provisional). In October, 2000 the 19th Theater Support Command (TSC), one of the U.S. Army's first Multi-Component commands, blending active duty and reserve component units into a single - seamless command.
The 19th Theater Support Command (TSC) in Korea currently has 10,000 troops assigned, making it the second largest command in the Korean theater. Geographically, it encompasses all of South Korea. The 19th TSC provides command and control for installations and activities throughout the Republic of Korea. It also provide essential supply, maintenance, transportation and other types of support to the Eighth United States Army.
During peace time the mission of the 19th TSC includes providing U.S. Army installation/Base Operations Support and ensuring a quality of life for assigned soldiers, civilians and family members by providing them with everything needed for health, comfort and morale during their assignment to the Republic.
The 19th TSC's mission is to also provide direct combat service support to units in or passing through the Communication and Combat Zones within the Republic of Korea, in the event of hostilities. Additionally the 19th TSC provides general combat service support to the Theater. The members of 19th TSC would be responsible for executing transition to war, coordinate and conduct Base defense operations, receive, stage and assist with the onward movement and integration of augmentation forces, should it ever become necessary.
The 19th TSC traces its history to August, 1952, when the 2nd and 3rd Logistic Commands were combined to become the Korean Communications Zone (COMMZ) at the height of the Korean conflict. In July 1956 the unit was redesignated as the Eighth U.S. Army Support Command, later redesignated as the U.S. Army Area Command, and still later redesignated as the 7th Logistical Command. In the 1960's logistic support was again divided in South Korea, with one command for the north and one for the south.
As an outgrowth of that division, the 19th Support Command was activated on 15 July 1964 at Yongsan Military Reservation in Seoul, and was relocated to Taegu on 13 March 1970 as a part of the consolidation of Eighth Army Support and Depot Commands. The 19th was part of the U.S. Army Korea Support Command until that command was dissolved. The 19th then merged with the 23rd Support Group to form the 19th Support Brigade (Provisional). In November 1974, the 19th became a non divisional brigade.
The 19th Support brigade was redesignated as the 19th Support Command (Provisional) in February-March 1977.
On 14 February 1994, the 19th Support Command [SUPCOM] headquartered in Taegu was re-designated the 19th Theater Army Area Command, which was refered to as the 19th TAACOM (Forward). This redesignation was to denote a greater level of logistics responsibility, as well as to affirm the recently created connection with the 19th TAACOM (CA) in Des Moines. The 19th TAACOM (Forward) exercised command and control over three support groups including the 20th Support Group in Taegu, the 23rd Support Group in Pyontaek, the 34th Support Group in Seoul and the 501st Support Group (Corps) in Uijongbu. Smaller subordinate commands are scattered throughout the peninsula.
On 16 June 2000, the 19th Theater Army Area Command was re-designated the 19th Theater Support Command (Provisional). In October, 2000 the 19th Theater Support Command (TSC), one of the U.S. Army's first Multi-Component commands, blending active duty and reserve component units into a single - seamless command.
