21 Welcome to the U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr. September In an unusual statistical milestone, for the first time in U.S. history, Army retirees outnumber active-duty personnel because of radical downsizing of the U.S. Army. 1994 April The 283rd Base Support Battalion inactivates and the Wildflecken Training Area is returned to the German government. October 7th Army Training Center hosts the largest, most technologically complex, joint and combined computer-assisted training exercise in the U.S. Army to date, ATLANTIC RESOLVE 94, which replaces the annual REFORGER exercises. 1995 October The Nuremberg AST at Merrill Barracks is closed and returned to the German government. December To enforce a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Balkans, 20,000 U.S. Soldiers deploy to Bosnia for Operation Joint Endeavor. In the first three months, the U.S. Air Force flies 3,000 missions, more than 15,600 troops, and delivers more than 30,100 tons of cargo. Many of the combat and support elements are trained, then airlifted from the GTA directly to the Balkans. 1996 January 7th ATC participates in Task Force Eagle peace support certification operations prior to their departure for Operation Joint Endeavor. The JMTC maintains an active role in training units deploying to the Balkans as part of Operation Joint Guard, and deployments to Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo for Operation Joint Guardian. June NATO deploys Kosovo Force (KFOR) to promote stability in the Balkans. USAREUR’s Task Force Falcon deploys as the main element of the Multinational Brigade. September After years of civil war Kabul and Afghanistan fall to the Taliban. 1997 1997 – 2000 The draw-down forces the closure of many USAREUR bases in Germany. With few exceptions the bases are turned over to the German government. Planning begins for the construction of a Multi-Purpose Range Complex at the Grafenwoehr Training Area. 1999 March Operation Allied Force, NATO combat operations against Serbia, commence. USAREUR deploys Task Force Hawk to Albania in support of the operation. May The GTA Range 117 modernization and expansion project is completed to meet the new gunnery requirements of the M1A2 Tank. Likewise, Range 204 is completed to meet the standards of the Operation Desert Storm Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Fielding of the new M109A6 Paladin Howitzer and German Howitzer 2000 results in new procedures and firing areas to allow realistic training with new artillery systems. NATO turns 50. 2000 September The Grafenwoehr Training Area is being assessed for possible closure. It’s strategic significance and importance to U.S. Army Europe are discussed at the highest levels of the Pentagon. 2001 On September 11th, a series of coordinated suicide attacks by Al-Qaeda against the United States by 19 terrorists who crash four airliners into the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. October In response to the attacks, the United States launches Operation Enduring Freedom, (OEF) in Afghanistan. U.S. Army Europe units deploy in support of OEF including SETAF’s 173rd Airborne Brigade. 2003 March through April Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) begins as the U.S. Army and Marines attack Iraq from bases in Kuwait. The 173rd Airborne Brigade jumps into Iraq in the largest combat airdrop since WWII. Baghdad is captured only. 16 days after OIF begins. The 1st Armored Division deploys to Iraq for a 15-month combat tour. September USAREUR introduces Efficient Basing Grafenwoehr (EBG). The EBG initiative enhances training readiness, improves force protection, and provides new or renovated facilities for Soldiers and families. History of the Grafenwoehr Training Area
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