US Army Europe and Africa Year in Review 2021
By David Overson December 17, 2021
WIESBADEN, Germany -- While 2021 has continued to present pandemic challenges around the world, U.S. Army Europe and Africa once again this year overcame these obstacles and continued to make significant achievements that will endure well into the future.
Transformation and Modernization
U.S. Army Europe and Africa continued to transform and modernize the command throughout 2021. This included the introduction of two new units and the reintroduction of another.
Following a seven-year hiatus, V Corps reactivated and returned to Europe. It received its fully operationally capable status during a ceremony Nov. 3. V Corps will enhance U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and U.S. European Command, as they work alongside allies and partners to promote regional stability and security. The return of V Corps to Europe expands U.S. Army Europe and Africa's ability to command land forces in Europe and allows for greater precision and control across all warfighting functions.
On Sept. 16, U.S. Army Europe and Africa activated the 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force. Only the second of its kind in the Army, the 2nd MDTF includes a headquarters element; an intelligence, cyberspace, electronic warfare and space detachment; and a brigade support company.
The Multi-Domain capabilities it provides will integrate assets to overcome adversary anti-access/area denial tactics through integration and synchronization of a variety of capabilities. As a part of a joint force, the 2nd MDTF synchronizes precision effects in support of U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command objectives.
Another "first" in 2021 for U.S. Army Europe and Africa was the activation of the Army's first Theater Fires Command, the 56th Artillery Command, on Nov. 8, at Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany.
The Theater Fires Command is the primary headquarters for integrating the joint targeting process closely with other services and our partners and allies. It improves readiness and multinational interoperability while enabling the synchronization of joint and multinational fires and effects.
Operation Allies Welcome
The flexibility and adaptability of the command was showcased again in 2021 during Operation Allies Welcome. U.S. Army Europe and Africa directly supported the Department of State and U.S. Central, Northern and Transportation Commands to receive, care for and support the onward movement of U.S. civilian personnel, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk individuals from Afghanistan.
The 21st Theater Sustainment Command was integral in establishing temporary living quarters and providing sustainment for thousands of evacuees at Rhine Ordnance Barracks. Additionally, we had a number of units provide force protection and sustainment support throughout the area of responsibility to include locations in Germany, Italy and Kosovo.
Army COVID-19 Fight
Throughout 2021, U.S. Army Europe and Africa continued to battle the world's common enemy, COVID-19. In addition to implementing protective measures throughout the year that enabled our forces to continue to train and exercise in order to be prepared to respond in a crisis, we provided the first initial doses of the vaccine. By late 2021 we began conducting pediatric vaccinations and booster shots. The incredible efforts of our medical workers has allowed us to reach an over 90 percent vaccination rate among Soldiers and civilian personnel.
Exercises and operations
2021 provided more rotational forces in theater for Atlantic Resolve.
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, which is stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, replaced the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, which is also stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. In the fall, the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade arrived at ports in Greece and the Netherlands to replace the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade following their nine-month rotation.
Atlantic Resolve continues to build readiness, increase interoperability and enhance the bond between ally and partner militaries using multinational training events. It provides a forward presence throughout Europe enabling us to deter and defend against threats from any direction at any time.
DEFENDER-Europe 21 was our largest exercise of 2021 with approximately 28,000 multinational force participants from 26 nations conducting nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in 12 countries.
From the Baltics, to the Balkans, to the Black Sea region, DEFENDER-Europe 21 showcased U.S. Army Europe and Africa's ability, in conjunction with our allies and partners, to provide ready, combat-credible land forces to deter, and, if necessary, defeat aggression from any potential adversary in Europe and Africa.
African Lion 2021 was a linked exercise for DEFENDER-Europe 21. The combined, joint exercise conducted in Morocco included related activities in Tunisia, Senegal, and Italy. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, established a combined joint task force headquarters, integrating U.S. Africa Command components and international partners, to solve a complex, trans-regional crisis. Almost 4,000 U.S. Service Members joined about 4,000 troops from Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Brazil and NATO in U.S. AFRICOM's largest annual exercise.
The accomplishments of the past year were only possible through the dedication and hard work of the men and women, both in and out of uniform, across all of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Side by side with our allies and partners we continue to demonstrate a shared commitment to the safety and security of Europe and Africa.
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