During times of war units come and go. Ensuring the new unit takes over with a smooth handoff is vital to continuing a successful mission. SSG Jesse Dyer takes us to a transfer of authority ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, where one unit heads home just as another starts their deployment.

The mission in Afghanistan is changing and Army units are changing up their training scenarios to match. SGT Rebecca Schwab tells us how one unit's learning to step back and let someone else do the job.

A lot goes into preparing a unit to deploy. A1C Tate Pollock sees what it takes at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Soldiers deployed for the NATO Patriots to Turkey mission have medics who ensure they're prepared and cared for in the foreign environment.

Five hours is a long time to sit on a bus. For one Army unit it felt like an eternity. SGT Carl Greenwell explains.

Admiral Stavridis explains why we still have US troops in Europe: shared values; NATO alliance; largest economic trading relationship; and where we can train, exercise and deploy together.

Soldiers from fort Sill, Oklahoma, deployed to Turkey earlier this year in support of the NATO mission. Airman 1st Class Kristi MacDonald joins them at the Patriot Missile site to experience what they do.

As units continue to deploy to Afghanistan, A1C Jeff Lander helps wave farewell to a local unit here in Europe.

Interview with Brigadier General Gary Deakin, Director of the Strategic Operations Centre at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

Soldiers get realistic training to prepare for their upcoming deployment. SGT Benjamin Boggess tells us how.

A unit that has already made a significant impact in Afghanistan is gearing up to head downrange once again. SGT Austin Majors tells us more.

With much formality, U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr marked the official return of the 172nd Infantry "Blackhawk" Brigade from Afghanistan in an uncasing and remembrance ceremony, Aug. 9.

Soldiers of the 18th Engineer Brigade made their way home from Operation Enduring Freedom. Jerry Bryza takes us to Schwetzingen, Germany, for their homecoming.

After a year-long deployment, nothing feels as good as being in the loving arms of family. The 172nd Infantry Brigade recently returned from Afghanistan. SGT Chris Jackson, in Grafenwoehr, Germany, tells us just what they came home to.

It’s no secret that deployments are tough on service members and their families. The homecomings, however, are always looked forward to. We head to Hohenfels, Germany, where Soldiers are returning to their loved ones after a year in Afghanistan.

Today more than ever it is important service members are able to work seamlessly with other nations, services and service components. SSgt Will Bracy gives one example of integration in a training environment at Aviano Air Base that prepares airmen to use equipment downrange.

A training venue was taking place for troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Something that will be very helpful for their upcoming deployment.

A training venue was taking place for troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Something that will be very helpful for their upcoming deployment.

While deployments often separate families for a year and sometimes longer, there are rare occasions where family members are deployed together and it helps in creating a stronger bond.

I read about the economic and natural crises in Romania this week and I couldn't help but think about a recent trip I took to the beautiful Carpathia Mountains not far from where the flooding is happening now.

The life that a man or woman experiences while serving in the military is often one of sacrifice, hardship and honor. A normal day is often long and stressful. Families aren't perfect outside the military and they are no different inside except the normal stressors on a military family are extraordinary. Families break all the time. Some breaks are permanent, some temporary, some caused by the stressors of a military life. Now throw in deployments to overseas locations where families cope with strong cultural challenges, language barriers, and being a thousand miles from their own homeland. Now we have to throw 9 years of combat operations into the mix. Deployments mean more sacrifice, hardship and places fragile families in danger of breaking and solid families endure loneliness, depression and loss of intimacy.

I’m on Capitol Hill next week to update Congress on the successes and challenges of U.S. European Command and the security environment in Europe. As you’d expect, this is a BIG deal for us, and we’ve been preparing for months.

601st Czech SOF’s multiple deployments they were embedded with our own Special Forces

Soldiers of the 1st Armored Division Headquarters in Wiesbaden, Gemany are preparing for their third deployment to Iraq.

Our fifth Quailty of Life Conference since 2004 is coming to a close.  The conference culminated with five delegate spokespersons briefing their group's top issues to the EUCOM Commander, component commanders, Senior Enlisted Leaders, Senior Spouses, and conference participants.  Below are the issues brought forward by the focus groups: