About this Unit
**USAUER Command** (United States Army Europe Rear Command) was established during the late stages of the Cold War as a contingency headquarters to ensure continuity of command and control of U.S. Army forces in Europe. Its primary mission was to assume operational responsibilities in the event that the main United States Army Europe (USAREUR) headquarters became incapacitated or relocated due to crisis or conflict. USAUER Command maintained a streamlined staff and coordinated closely with NATO allies, focusing on rear-area security, logistics, and support operations. With the end of the Cold War and subsequent drawdown of U.S. forces in Europe, the relevance of a dedicated rear command diminished, and USAUER Command was inactivated as part of broader restructuring efforts.
Historical Facts
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Origins in WWII: The United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Command was officially activated in 1942 during World War II as the European Theater of Operations, United States Army (ETOUSA), playing a critical role in the planning and execution of the Allied invasion of Europe.
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Post-War Transformation: After WWII, ETOUSA transformed into USAREUR in 1952, becoming the main U.S. Army command in Europe during the Cold War, with its headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany.
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Cold War Frontline: USAREUR was at the forefront of NATO’s defense during the Cold War, with hundreds of thousands of U.S. soldiers stationed along the Iron Curtain, ready to respond to any potential Soviet aggression.
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Berlin Crisis Response: During the Berlin Crisis of 1961, USAREUR forces were rapidly mobilized to reinforce West Berlin and demonstrate American commitment to defending the city against Soviet threats.
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Operation REFORGER: USAREUR orchestrated the annual "Return of Forces to Germany" (REFORGER) exercises, showcasing rapid deployment capabilities and NATO unity throughout the Cold War.
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Post-Cold War Downsizing: Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, USAREUR underwent significant downsizing, reducing its footprint from over 200,000 soldiers in the late 1980s to around 30,000 by the 2010s.
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Balkans Operations: USAREUR played a key role in peacekeeping and stabilization missions during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s, including deployments to Bosnia and Kosovo.
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Support for Global War on Terror: Units from USAREUR have continuously supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, providing logistics, training, and combat forces.
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Return to Deterrence: In response to Russian actions in Ukraine since 2014, USAREUR has increased its presence and training exercises in Eastern Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
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Recent Relocation: In 2020, USAREUR headquarters moved from Heidelberg to Wiesbaden, Germany, and merged with U.S. Army Africa to form U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF), expanding its responsibilities across two continents.
