EUCOM opens new conference center

STUTTGART-VAIHINGEN, Germany - Vice Adm. Richard Gallagher, Deputy Commander U.S. European Command (USEUCOM), speaks during the opening of the new Joint Exercise, Simulation and Training Conference Center (JEST-CC) at Patch Barracks June 8. EUCOM would save more than $500,000 annually in TDY travel expenses by using the center instead of traveling to off-post facilities. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett)

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June 8, 2009
By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett U.S. European Command Public Affairs

STUTTGART-VAIHINGEN, Germany - The U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) unveiled the new Joint Exercise, Simulation and Training Conference Center (JEST-CC) during a ribbon cutting ceremony here June 8. The $3.4 million conference center is located on the fourth floor of building 2307 on Patch Barracks. The new large scale joint exercise, training and conference center facility is a requirement formulated and vetted by the EUCOM Operations Directorate (ECJ3) - Joint Training, Readiness, and Exercise Division (JTRE).

The JTRE hosts more than 50 conferences and training events per year. Previously, JTRE utilized Kelley Chapel as a conference facility.

"This event culminates an 18-month team effort it took to make this conference center a reality," said Vice Adm. Richard Gallagher, Deputy Commander USEUCOM. "A conference center of this caliber is long overdue for EUCOM. Having access to this facility, conveniently located on the premises, will enable our staff to effectively conduct the conferences and training events we hold each year."

The admiral also pointed out EUCOM would save more than $500,000 annually in TDY travel expenses by using the center instead of traveling to off-post facilities.

The conference center includes: Large salon capabilities that seat 83 people and are reconfigurable for up to 155 people, small salon capabilities that seat 36 people, four large break-out rooms that seat 13-15 people and two small break-out rooms that seat 7-8 people. Full-time workstations are available in the center and feature Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPR), Unclassified but Sensitive Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPR) and Standard Telephone Equipment (STE).

"This was a true team effort that involved directorates and offices all across EUCOM," said Col. Frederick DeFranza, European Plans and Operation Center (EPOC) JTRE. "I would like to thank all those who put a 100 percent effort into this project. The opening of this conference center marks a proud day in my EUCOM assignment."

The facility is available to all USEUCOM organizations free of charge. However, facility use is available to all non-USEUCOM organizations for a nominal appropriated funds fee.

Requesting action officers can check the JEST-CC shared outlook ULAN calendar to see availability and coordinate with JTRE to schedule an event.

For more information, send all JEST-CC utilization requests to the JEST-CC e-mail ULAN mailbox. All requests must include: requester's name, directorate/division and DSN number, name of the event, type of event (conference/training), desired date(s) and time(s), number of personnel attending and overall classification level of the event (UNCLASSIFIED/SECRET), conferencing requirements and/or network requirements and room configuration requirements.