Serving Allied Land Component Command - Headquarters Heidelberg Campbell Barracks, Heidelberg, Germany The Observer Spring 2007 In this Issue Commander’s Message The Observer ALCC HD Changes Command to Lt. Gen. Lather Serving the military, civil- 4 ians and family members of ALCC HQ HD 6 International Exchange: G-ENG’s get a lesson in Force Protection and C-IED measures Lt. Gen. Karl-Heinz Preparing for ISAF – The Road to Kabul! Lather 8 Since the last issue of The Observer, I have as- sumed Command of the Allied Land Component Lt. Col. Hans-Joachim 10 NO CHALLENGE TOO GREAT Gemballa Command. As we bid farewell to General and Mrs. Ch, Public Information Officer 11 ALCC HQ HD continues lead support to COLW Carmen McKiernan, I, together with my wife Inge, would once again like to thank them for the end- Maj. Michael J. Indovina 07/COLR 07 less hours and dedication to ALCC HD- Thank You. Chief, Media Operations Yesterday’s Challenge, Today’s Reality and Editor 12 In leading this headquarters, I feel great pride and ALCC Trained and Ready for ISAF satisfaction in taking Command. The devotion of Spc Michael Potter 14 Civilians get dirty too the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and civilians Command Photographer is illustrious. Published four times 16 COM ALCC Conducts First Corps Commanders As we all know, we have been selected by each year, The Observer Conference Joint Force Command Brunssum to support the is an authorized, unofficial stabilization process in Afghanistan. That entails publication. Its aim is to 18 POW and U.S. Olympian visits ALCC inform headquarters personnel a large majority of our forces to be deployed and and their family members. 19 Who’s Who in ALCC an increase in training needed. First, we must Opinions expressed in this select individuals to adequately fill vacant positions publication are those of Lt. Gen. Karl-Heinz Lather, Commander Allied Land Component the authors and do not 20 NATO Forces to Combat IED Hazards at JMRC in ISAF X/2. Second, we must train in our soldier Command Heidelberg reflect official policy. tasks. Third, we must collectively train to increase Helping the ones who count: Soldiers and Families proficiency and build a cohesive team that is com- We as the land component must demonstrate Suggestions for articles, 21 petent and culturally aware. competence for land expertise and I feel we comments and contributions are welcome and should be 22 Honours Along with training, you must prepare yourself do. However, we must challenge ourselves to directed to the editor. The and your family. They should know how to be increase, maintain, and share ideas that make us a editor reserves the right to edit CSM’s Corner self-sustaining. Just as important, make sure they headquarters that can face any challenge. Training submissions. 23 understand points of contacts for ALCC HD Family increases not only competence, but also most Public Information Office Support Center; ensure they know what help they important confidence in decision-making. This will Postfach 102620 can get from this and other community organiza- increase your support for the men and women in D-69016 Heidelberg tions. Nothing is more stressful in trying to solve a upcoming operations. Developing these attributes (Bldg 8, Campbell Barracks) Phone: 06221.398.5472 problem without a sponsor on ground- keep them will make us a sought after source for training land Fax: 06221.398.5349 informed and well versed on Heidelberg assets. forces for the future. Allied Land Component Heidelberg is changing Summer is coming around the corner Email: michael.indovina@lahd. nato.int due to our support to ISAF X/2. Remember, we that means soldiers and families will be out in Front Cover Back Cover are in transition and continuity and collaboration abundance. Be sure you stay safe by buckling up, Printed by: is crucial for our continued success. With ISAF X/2 watching your speed, and don’t drink and drive. ABT Print und Medien GmbH personnel being reallocated, roles in the remaining There is never a time to lose individuals- so do the Bruchsaler Straße 5 On the Front: ALCC HQ HD and JFC On the Back: Flag Bearers from ALCC HQ 69469 Weinheim Brunssum staff officers interact and hand out HD assemble for the change of command headquarters could strain, but not necessarily. Our right thing! Take time to enjoy and relax between Phone: 0 62 01/18 90-0 ISAF newsletters to Afghanistan locals during ceremony and honor their nations that success will become multiplied with teamwork. training. Your contributions are essential to ALCC www.abt-medien.de the recent Senior Leader Recce held in May are represented in the command here in The headquarters will still remain the subject mat- HD vigor and vivid future. 2007. The Senior Leaders Recce gave ALCC Heidelberg, Germany ter expert in land activities and we will continue to Thank you to all military personnel, civil- Visit our web site at www. HQ HD leaders a first hand look at what and nato.int/lahd how they will support ISAF HQ in the upcom- train organizations and uphold ALCC HD compe- ians, and spouses for making our organization a ing deployment. tency. supreme NATO force. 2 www.nato.int/lahd The Observer Spring 2007 3 ALCC HD Changes command to Lt. Gen. Lather By: Maj. (USA) Michael J. Indovina; Deputy PIO ALCC HQ HD and subsequently transferred the authority from Gen. McKiernan to Lt. Gen. Lather. While transferring the authority of command, the units command Sergeant Major (highest ranking non commissioned officer in the HQ) presents the colors (flag of the HQ) to the commanders for a passing of command responsibility. The passing-on of the colors from the CSM to the outgoing commander, the out- going commander presents his final responsibilities of the command to his higher HQ’s commander. The sights and sounds of ALCC HQ HD’s change of command ceremony held on April 5, 2007. Honors from the canons, speeches from the The higher HQ Commander General Ramms then commanders and soldiers and the NATO nation fl ags cover the parade fi eld for this special occasion. presents the commands responsibility to the incom- ing and now commander of the unit. This tradition extends back to the early ages of the Allied Command Structure.” Ramms added and training and the supplies needed to be mission – suc- Lt. Gen. (DEU) Karl-Heinz Lather assumes com- military protocols. The transfer of the commands thanked General McKiernan for the huge impact he cess during their upcoming deployment. mand of Allied Land Component Command colors is an emotional and respectful demonstration had made on the ALCC, his friendship, enthusiastic He acknowledged the commitment of the 20 Heidelberg from General (USA) David D. McKiernan of responsibility being passed between commanders. leadership and training program that culminated in nations and the Partnership for Peace nation in ALCC during a ceremony today held at Campbell Bar- Upon completion of the transfer of command, the command becoming Fully Operational Capable as a symbol of the alliance’s ultimate capabilities and racks, Heidel berg. speeches were made by General Ramms and Lt. Gen during exercise Steadfast Jaw in Turkey this past No- strengths. General (DEU) Egon Ramms, Commander of Lather. vember. General Ramms concluded by welcoming Lt. Gen Lather completed his remarks by thank- Joint Forces Command Brunssum, was the reviewing General Ramms said, “This ceremony marks Lt. Gen. Lather as the new commander of ALCC and ing all the friends, neighbors and fellow colleagues and presiding officer for the ceremony. another successful tradition from one ALCC com- elaborated on his qualifications for command and for making this day a memorable one for his family ALCC HD consists of 20 NATO and Partnership mander to its successor in a time when the com- for his past duty position as the deputy commander and himself. for Peace nations within the command headquarters mand will take on NATO’s highest priority mission of ALCC that makes him more than qualified to carry Lt. Gen. Lather’s previous duty assignment was here. Currently the HQ has a supporting role in by deploying its soldiers to ISAF to mark its part into on the most seamless of change of commands. the Deputy Commander, ALCC HQ Heidelberg. support of NATOs primary mission of ISAF. In the up- As the new commander Lt. Gen. Lather took General McKiernan, will continue to command coming months ALCC HD will take a more active role the podium and spoke to his headquarters. Lt. Gen United States Army Europe in Heidelberg, Germany. and directly support ISAF HQ by deploying personal Lather emphasized the importance of to the front line headquarters. what he addressed as the “Heidelberg Lt. Gen. Lather’s first mission will be to prepare Spirit”, meaning the deep commitment and deploy the officers and soldiers of the HQ in the of all HQ personnel in fulfilling the tasks upcoming months. given to the Command. In addressing the During the ceremony the USA 529th Military HQ spirit, he especially focused on the Police Battalion’s Salute Battery rendered the tradi- imminent deployment of a “vast majority tional “gunnery” honors from their 105mm canons of those soldiers standing in the formation to the commanders on the field; Gen Ramms, Gen. in front of us” to the ISAF mission in McKiernan and Lt. Gen. Lather. Following the salute Afghanistan. battery’s honors to the Generals, the commanders Lt. Gen. Lather pledged his commit- from JFC Brunssum (Gen. Ramms) and the outgoing ment to the alliance and to the soldiers and incoming commanders inspected the soldiers that they will continue to receive realistic 4 www.nato.int/lahd The Observer Spring 2007 5 ing Support Centre [BUZ] and Euro NATO Training JFC Brunssum tables CIS International Exchange: Engineer Centre [ENTAC] our team was provided with a guided tour in Mine Documentation Training Centre.