U.S. ARMY EUROPE FACILITIES RETURNED TO GERMANY

The Department of Defense announced today plans for the transfer of two United States Army Europe facilities located in Germany to the host nation.

The facilities affected are the Rheingrafenstein Training and Storage Area in the city of Bad Kreuznach, and the Quirnheim Missile Station near Mannheim.

These transfers continue the process of returning facilities to the host nation. The last such transfer occurred at the end of Fiscal Year 1999, when the Thomas Jefferson Housing Area in Worms and a portion of the Germersheim Army Depot were returned to the German government.

The Department of Defense and the United States Army continually review force structure and facilities around the world to identify the most efficient means of operation. The process for reviewing and adjusting the stationing of forces has always involved close cooperation with appropriate U.S. and host nation officials.

There are no plans to reduce the number of U.S. Army soldiers in Europe below the current 62,000 end-state figure.