Brigade Combat Team Draws Down, Allows For Stryker Stationing

US Army Europe, STUTTGART, Germany: To set the conditions for stationing a Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Vilseck, Germany, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, now stationed there, will reduce to cadre strength beginning in summer 2005. Included in the 3rd BCT are a field artillery battalion and an engineer company in Bamberg, Germany and two company-sized units from the 1st Infantry Division, stationed in Wuerzburg and Kitzingen, Germany.  
 
The effective deployment of Stryker in and out of Germany remains one of our highest priorities as we proceed with our plans. We will be working over the coming months to secure all requisite agreements for the brigade's effective movement within Europe.  
 
Approximately 2,900 soldiers and 3,990 family members will be directly affected by this action. Six U.S. civilians and no local national employees work directly for the tactical units of 3rd Brigade Combat Team. We will evaluate the requirements for garrison support as it becomes clearer what support is needed between the departure of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the arrival of the Stryker Brigade, and may make appropriate adjustments that would affect garrison personnel. We will comply with all standard notification procedures, should there be a requirement for such actions. The incoming Stryker Brigade will be eventually manned with about 3,900 soldiers, as well as about 20 Department of the Army civilian employees and 100 contractor personnel.  
 
These changes are part of the President's overall plan to transform the military to create a more mobile, agile and expeditionary joint force in the face of the threats posed by the Global War on Terrorism. A fundamental part of this plan is to station our forces around the globe to be best able to respond to the threats of the new security environment. Our end-state footprint will be strategic in scope and global in reach, ensuring we have the desired capabilities at locations that enable us to engage rapidly and with great flexibility.  
 
We remain committed to our European allies, including Germany. The forward stationing of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Europe demonstrates continuing U.S. commitment to NATO and parallels NATO's own transformation to a more mobile, agile and expeditionary force .