HQ CENTAG

Headquarters, Central Army Group (HQ CENTAG) was a key NATO command established during the early years of the Cold War. Formed in 1952, CENTAG was responsible for the defense of southern West Germany, covering a critical sector of the Central European front against potential Warsaw Pact aggression. Headquartered initially in Bad Cannstatt and later in Heidelberg, Germany, CENTAG directed multinational forces, including American, German, French, and Belgian troops. The command remained operational throughout the Cold War until 1993, when it was deactivated as part of the post-Cold War restructuring of NATO forces.