Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Digital Library Collections This is a PDF from our textual collections. Collection: Speechwriting, White House Office of: Research Office, 1981-1989 Folder: 05/05/1985 Remarks: Lunch at Bitburg Air Force Base, Bitburg, Germany, Josh/Rv (6) Box: 207 To see more digitized collections visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected] Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing J1el <;,,,,,s,,a.f.i Vnt,•rhalt11ng ., Eissporthalle Feriengebiet 1.1!.'! I, ~ ~L :· ;4,.::_,~~-· -~----- ... und Wintez 1 Rheinland -Pfalz Herausgeber: Zweckverband Feriengebiet Bitburger Land Bedaplatz - Bedastr. 11, Telefon: 06561 I 8934-893!:i 5520 Bitburg D I Konzeption und Design: WIBO-Werbung, 5550 Bernkastel-Kues, Tel. 06531 I 3279 . -f \ ,. ·.~Jhe Military Leisuretime Magazine · · · . · . · 1984-85 '. (' ,, 't ,, ....-...,. ' . WELCOME TO GERMANY is an unofficial guide published annually under exclusive written agreement with the U.S. Air Forces in Europe in the interest of per­ sonnel of USAFE. It is published by Off Duty Enterprises, 3303 Harbor Blvd., Suite C-2, Costa Mesa, California 92626, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Air Force. Opinions expressed by the publisher and writers herein are their own and not to be considered an official expression of the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements, including inserts and supplements, in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Air Force of products or services advertised. USAFE AND YOU THEUSAFE MISSION ANDYOU A guide to military organizations in Europe and bases in Germany. he North Atlantic Treaty Organi­ NATO was formed when it became ap­ in Europe. Thus, Allied Command z.ation (NATO) was formed in parent that the Soviet Union intended Europe (ACE) and Supreme Headquar­ T 1949 as an alliance of defense to maintain its armed forces at a wartime ters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) were against communist expansion. The 12, level with the object of increasing ter­ born. signatories to the North Atlantic Treaty ritorial expansion and political control, Within a few months after Gen. were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, while Western nations were Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the demobilizing. Supreme Allied Commander, Europe Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the Soon after NATO's establishment, it (SACEUR), in 1950, an international United Kingdom and the United States. became obvious that there was a press­ staff was selected to form ACE and Gr~e and Turkey joined NATO in ing need for an allied military organiz.a­ SHAPE with headquarters near Mons, 1952; three years later, the Federal tion equipped to effectively implement Belgium. Republic of Germany became a the decisions of the political and mili­ Service members from all NATO na­ member nation, and in 1982 Spain tary authorities of NATO. tions are assigned to the international joined as well. The North Atlantic Council decided staff at ACE and SHAPE. ACE covers the The primary military aim of the alli­ to create a unified European defense or­ land extending from the North Cape in ance is to deter aggression. The Military ganiz.ation under a centralized supreme Norway down to North Africa and from Committee is charged with the peace­ command and to establish an interna­ the Atlantic to the eastern border of time task of monitoring the military mis­ tionally manned supreme headquarters Turkey, excluding England and sion of NATO and recommending those Portugal. measures necessary for the common de­ Approximately 316,890 military men The guiding principle of NATO has fense of the NATO area. and women serve in the USEUCOM area. not changed since its inception: NATO is an international organiz.ation dedicat­ ed to the preservation of peace. USEUCOM The U.S. European Command (USEUCOM), with headquarters at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, West Germany, is one of the unified com­ mands through which the U.S. meets its military commitments and responsibili­ ties around the world. The USEUCOM area of responsibility is concentrated in Western Europe and extends through the Mediterranean to the Middle East land masses, the Persian Gulf and North Africa. Approximately 316,890 military personnel, many with their families, are in the command area. Also, USEUCOM is responsible for the administration of security assistance programs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The primary mission of USEUCOM is to support U.S. foreign policy in Europe by honoring U.S. commitments to 6 OFF DUTY /WELCOME TO GERMANY 84-85 Cl l:: 5 "' i ll ~ ll CZECHOSLOVAKIA INSTALLATIONS :. ® 01tourg @) Geilenkirchen @ Hahn © Hessisch-Oldendorf @ Lindsey ® Ramstein ® Rhein-Main @ Sembach @ Spangdahlem @ Tempelhof Airport ® Wiesbaden - Zweibrucken USAFE AND YOU commander of NATO's AAFCE. There are three numbered air forces within USAFE: Third Air Force, head­ quartered at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom; Sixteenth Air Force, head­ quartered at Torrejon Air Base, Spain; and Seventeenth Air Force, headquar­ tered at Sembach Air Base, Germany. The Seventeenth Air Force directs the tactical units in Germany, the Nether­ lands and Belgium. In addition to permanent forces in Europe, USAFE is augmented by dual­ based squadrons which, although locat­ ed in the U.S., are committed to NATO • and remain under European command during wartime, contingency or exer­ cise conditions. These squadrons are geared for rapid deployment in European locations set NATO; exerc1smg operational control AAFCE combined forces can immedi­ up to accept and service them at any over assigned forces through the service ately provide 1,400 aircraft at all times. time. They periodically rotate to Europe of component commanders; administer­ for training. ing military aspects of the Security That responsibility covers 32 countries Assistance Program; providing a unity in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. AAFCE of effort in missions assigned to the U.S. USAFE teams its resources with five component commands within USECOM's other nations to form Allied Air Forces geographical area of responsibility; USAFE Central Europe (AAFCE). The other planning for the use of available mili­ Approximately 78 per cent of all countries are Belgium, Canada, the tary resources to reinforce and support American forces in Europe are stationed Federal Republic of Germany, the Ne­ political, economic and psychological in West Germany, the country consid­ therlands and the United Kingdom. programs for the achievement of nation­ ered to be the key to the defense of AAFCE's commander directs the in­ al security interests; and supporting Western Europe. tegrated employment of central region other unified and specified commands The U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) air forces to counter air aggression and and informational agencies. has more than 60,700 personnel in maintain integrity and security in the The supreme allied commander, eight countries in Europe. Within this area. The deputy commander position Europe, is also commander-in-chief, total, over 40,000 members of the Air is filled by a Ge~man air force lieutenant U.S. European command (USCINCEUR) . Force are serving in Germany. general. The deputy chief of staff for op­ In his role as SACEUR, he is an interna­ In peacetime, USAFE trains and erations and intelligence position is tional commander subject to the instruc­ equips Air Force units pledged to peace occupied by a British air vice marshal! tions and directives of the North Atlan­ in Europe. Under wartime conditions, (major general). The deputy chief of tic Treaty council through its military the command's airpower-tactical staff for plans and policy is assigned in committee and is assisted by the inter­ fighters, fighter-bombers and recon­ rotation to major generals from the Ne­ national staff at SHAPE. naissance aircraft-come under opera­ therlands and Belgium. In his role as USCINCEUR, he is the tional control of NATO. The command's Within AAFCE, there are two allied commander of assigned U.S. Forces, weapons systems are ready for strike, tactical air forces, the second and the subject to the instructions and directives close air support, air defense and recon­ fourth. USAFE personnel serve within of the president through the secretary naissance operations. Strategic and both. The second ATAF has units from of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. tactical airlift are provided under a joint Germany, the United Kingdom, He is assisted by the U.S. joint staff at USAFE/Military Airlift Command plan Belgium, the Netherlands and USAFE. Headquarters USEUCOM. Because of the of coordinated control. The fourth ATAF has units from USAFE, magnitude of his dual task, USCINCEUR USAFE provides fighter, reconnais­ Germany and Canada. delegates very broad authority for the sance and airlift support for all major AAFCE started June 28, 1974, as a direction and control of U.S. Forces to NATO exercises conducted in Western principal subordinate command under the deputy USCINCEUR. Europe and also assists allied air forces SHAPE when NATO officials recognized USCINCEUR exercises operational in developing their combat capabilities. a lack of central direction and control of command over U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Geographical responsibility extends air forces in the European Central Navy Europe and U.S. Air Forces in through the Mediterranean, Middle Region. Europe. East, Persian Gulf and North Africa. When all the forces are combined USCINCEUR also commands assigned Most of its operational bases, aircraft under AAFCE, about 1,400 aircraft are military assistance and advisory groups and personnel are concentrated in West­ immediately available. This includes and military missions in the USEUCOM ern Europe. both assigned and dual-based aircraft, area. These are U.S. military groups Headquarters for the command is at with many of them performing more sent to foreign countries to supervise Ramstein Air Base, alongside Headquar­ than one role.