Local units support mission for peace

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Army News Service) -- As troops continue to file out to the Balkans, the Stuttgart military community takes an active role in support of the peacekeeping mission.

From international communication to U.S. deployment processing and mine detection to building bridges, local units and organizations are working together to bring a lasting hope to the war-torn regions, while taking care of families back home.

This mission is much like the Gulf War, said U.S. European Command Public Affairs Officer Col. Robert Mirelson, of the coalition mission joining 60,000 troops from more than 36 nations in support of peace.

Aside from its support of U.S. forces, EUCOM once again shares the responsibilities of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization endeavor.

The biggest challenge we (EUCOM) face is integrating communication between the 16 NATO and 20 non-NATO nations (participating in the Implementation Force), Mirelson said. The EUCOM Public Affairs Office established a Joint Information Bureau for the operation, providing public affairs support to more than 1,650 registered media in Tuzla alone, he said.

For the deployed, EUCOM is working on getting television and radio correspondence set up at each deployment site and bringing in communication equipment in time for the Super Bowl. Live radio out of Frankfurt should be available by mid-January.

For the intelligence directorate, the main challenge is establishing systems, from weather prediction to determining potential threats, without violating NATO or U.S. security processes, Mirelson said. This means working closely with NATO allies. Units from Stuttgart and Augsburg that have been affected by the deployment have unique missions.

• The 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group provides operational support to each of the major headquarters groups participating in the mission, to include France, Germany, Britain and the United States.

• Soldiers and civilians from the 52nd Signal Battalion provide the basis for non-tactical communication support.

• Mine detection is a primary responsibility of a local Military Police working dog team.

• Aside from law enforcement and security, the 554th MP Company is assisting with the railway mission.

• The Naval Special Warfare Unit II (SEALs for sea, air and land) were key players in examining the bridge construction site on the Sava River, where American troops have begun crossing into Bosnia despite inclement weather conditions and flooding.

• The 66th Military Intelligence Group in Augsburg are doing military intelligence work in support of IFOR.

• Members of the 3rd Detachment, 510th Personnel Service Battalion Postal Company, joined with other postal units, are responsible for setting up and maintaining postal services for U.S. troops in the deployment areas.

• One soldier from the Staff Judge Advocate Office is providing general legal support for U.S. troops in Hungary.

• One individual has been sent to Zagreb to coordinate Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities for the troops.

• The Detachment C, 510th Personnel Service Battalion provides deployment services right out of Stuttgart. The unit helps soldiers update their casualty and next-of-kin documents, prepares deployment folders for all soldiers deploying out of Stuttgart, cuts temporary- change-of-station orders and keeps accountability for soldiers departing to the Balkans from Stuttgart.

The 6th Area Support Group is making sure that the families left behind are taken care of through support groups and family assistance centers.

It's going to be a long, tough year, Mirelson said. Hopefully we'll get everyone out safely and successfully.