HQ USAREUR

• Origins in World War II: HQ USAREUR (United States Army Europe) traces its origins to the end of World War II, when it was activated in 1947 to oversee U.S. Army forces in postwar Europe. • Key Role in the Cold War: During the Cold War, USAREUR was the backbone of American military presence in Europe, deterring Soviet aggression and supporting NATO operations. • Berlin Airlift Support: USAREUR played a vital role in logistics and support during the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949, helping to supply the blockaded city. • Largest Overseas Command: At its peak in the late 1950s and 1960s, USAREUR commanded over 277,000 soldiers, making it the largest U.S. Army command outside the United States. • Operation REFORGER: USAREUR hosted the massive "Return of Forces to Germany" (REFORGER) exercises, which tested NATO's ability to rapidly reinforce Europe in the event of war. • Headquarters Relocation: USAREUR’s headquarters was originally in Heidelberg, Germany, but moved to Wiesbaden in 2013 as part of Army restructuring. • Post-Cold War Transformation: After the fall of the Soviet Union, USAREUR’s size was drastically reduced, but it adapted to new missions, including peacekeeping in the Balkans. • Support to Iraq and Afghanistan: USAREUR units and personnel have played key roles supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing deployment, training, and logistics. • Multinational Partnerships: USAREUR works closely with European allies, conducting joint training and multinational exercises to strengthen NATO’s collective defense. • Recent Renaming: In 2020, USAREUR merged with US Army Africa to form US Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF), reflecting the growing strategic importance of both regions.