United States Army Europe and Africa

United States Army Europe and Africa. It is the United States Army's service component command for both the United States European Command and the United States Africa Command. Headquartered at Lucius D. Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, it is responsible for all U.S. Army operations across the European and African continents. The command trains and equips assigned forces, conducts security cooperation, and maintains readiness to deter aggression and defend allied nations.

History

The command traces its lineage to the establishment of United States Army Forces in the British Isles in 1942, which later became part of the Allied Expeditionary Force under SHAEF commanded by General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower. Following Victory in Europe Day, it was redesignated as United States Forces European Theater and played a central role in the Allied occupation of Germany and the Berlin Airlift under General Lucius D. Clay. During the Cold War, as United States Army Europe, it was a cornerstone of NATO's defense against the Warsaw Pact, with major formations like VII Corps and V Corps forward-deployed in West Germany. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it supported operations in the Balkans, including IFOR and SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2020, it merged with United States Army Africa to form the current command, reflecting strategic priorities outlined in the National Defense Strategy.

Organization

The command is organized under its headquarters in Wiesbaden, with major subordinate units including V Corps (Fort Knox), which serves as the forward-deployed corps headquarters. Key maneuver brigades include the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy. It also commands the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade in Ansbach and the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Kaiserslautern. For operations in Africa, it exercises administrative control over assigned forces, such as the Southern European Task Force, Africa headquartered at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza.

Operations and exercises

The command routinely conducts multinational exercises to ensure interoperability with NATO allies and partners. Major recurring exercises include Defender-Europe, a large-scale deployment of forces from the Continental United States; Saber Junction at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels; and African Lion, held in nations like Morocco and Tunisia. It has provided critical support to Operation Atlantic Resolve, enhancing the Eastern Flank following Russia's annexation of Crimea. The command also supports ongoing missions such as Operation Inherent Resolve and KFOR in Kosovo.

Installations

Primary installations are concentrated in Germany, reflecting the command's historical presence. These include Garrison Bavaria with posts like Rose Barracks and Camp Aachen, Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz encompassing Ramstein Air Base and Baumholder, and USAG Wiesbaden. In Italy, key sites are Caserma Ederle and Del Din Barracks. In Africa, it maintains a limited permanent footprint, utilizing facilities like Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and cooperating with host-nation bases for exercises and engagements. The Benelux region hosts sites like Chièvres Air Base in Belgium.

Commanders

Notable historical commanders include General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George S. Patton who led the Third Army, and General Lucius D. Clay, the military governor of Germany. During the Cold War, commanders like General Alexander M. Haig Jr., who later became SACEUR, and General Crosbie E. Saint led the command. The first commander following the 2020 merger was General Christopher G. Cavoli, who later assumed command of United States European Command. The current commander is General Darryl A. Williams.

Relationship with host nations

The command maintains foundational relationships through key agreements like the NATO Status of Forces Agreement and bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreements with countries such as Germany, Italy, and Poland. It works closely with allied militaries, including the Bundeswehr, Italian Army, and Polish Land Forces, through integrated staffs and combined training. In Africa, it partners with nations like Senegal, Kenya, and Ghana under the auspices of United States Africa Command to build capacity and address shared security challenges. Community engagement programs and Army Garrisons foster strong ties with local populations near its installations.