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293rd Base Support Battalion

In 2005, an official ceremony in Heidelberg, Germany marked the reflagging of the Installation Management Agency - Europe's Area Support Groups, Base Support Battalions, and Area Support Teams into 21 US Army Garrisons to align with the common US Army installation management structure worldwide, known as Standard Garrison Organization. As a result, the 293rd Base Support Battalion was inactivated and reflagged as the US Army Garrison Mannheim.

The mission of the 293rd Base Support Battalion was to provide support and serve as a power projection platform for tenant and transient units, and ensure that the 14,000 military, civilian and family members in the Mannheim-Worms Community were living well, receiving consistent, excellent service. The Battalion's strength had dropped to approximately 500 prior to its inactivation.

The Mannheim Military Community had its original roots with the American occupational forces immediately following World War II. The 1st Support Brigade was activated in June 1965 at Taylor Barracks, Mannheim. When the 7th Army Support Command was dissolved in 1970, the Brigade became a major subordinate headquarters under the Theater Army Support Command, Europe (TASCOM). When TASCOM merged with US Army Europe (USAEUR) headquarters in 1974, the US Military Community Activity - Mannheim evolved. Until 1991, USMCA-Mannheim was the single point of control for all American soldiers, civilians, and family members, providing base operations support for tenant units in its assigned area.

In 1990, Mannheim Military Community's area of responsibility was considerably extended with the consolidation of the Worms Community Activity, including the sub-community of Weierhof. The area of operation grew to a base operations support area of over 938 square miles.

On 1 October 1991, the Mannheim Military Community Activity was reflagged as the 293rd Base Support Battalion, assigned to the 26th Area Support Group based in Heidelberg. Until that time, the USAREUR Provost Marshal had been the Community Commander, assisted by the deputy community commander, who commanded nearly 1,400 soldiers and civilians. The change of command conducted on 7 August 1994 marked a new era with the first Headquarters, Department of the Army Battalion Command selected Lieutenant Colonel to assume command. The Commander, 5th Signal Command became the Senior Tactical Commander for the community and performed duties similar to a Lord Mayor, monitoring and advising o quality of life issues and promotion German-American relations.