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3rd Support Command
V Corps
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V Corps Support Command |
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3rd Support Command (Corps) |
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1974 |
V COSCOM, Frankfurt, was redesignated as 3rd Support Command (Corps) on Sept 23, 1974.
There was no change in mission nor home station. |
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1976 |
(Source: USAREUR/Seventh Army STATION LIST, 1 June 1976) |
3rd COSCOM ORGANIZATION - 1 JUNE 1976 |
UNIT DESIGNATION |
LOCATION |
COMMENTS |
HHC, 3rd Support Comd (Corps) |
Gibbs Bks, Frankfurt |
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Cmd Avn Det |
Hutier Ksn, Hanau |
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17th Cbt Spt Unit (ADP)(Type B) |
Gibbs Bks, Frankfurt |
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19th Cbt Spt Co (Maint Mgmt) |
Gibbs Bks, Frankfurt |
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92nd Trans Co (Car) |
Gibbs Bks, Frankfurt |
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502nd Trans Co (Mov Cntl) |
Gibbs Bks, Frankfurt |
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30th Trans Co (Acft)(DS) |
Fliegerhorst Ksn, Hanau |
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245th Trans Co (Acft)(GS) |
Fliegerhorst Ksn, Hanau |
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16th Cbt Spt Co (Fld Svc)(GS) |
Fort Lee, VA |
REFORGER unit |
181st Trans Bn (Trk) |
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HHD, 181st Trans Bn |
Turley Bks, Mannheim |
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41st Trans Co (L-M Trk) |
Turley Bks, Mannheim |
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51st Trans Co (Med Trk Cargo) |
Turley Bks, Mannheim |
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590th Trans Co (L-M Trk) |
Turley Bks, Mannheim |
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100th Trans Co (L-M Trk) |
Fort Eustis, VA |
REFORGER unit |
8th Cbt Spt Bn (Area Maint)(DS/GS) |
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HHD, 8th CS Bn |
Grossauheim Ksn, Hanau |
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19th Cbt Spt Co (Hv Equip Maint) |
Pioneer Ksn, Hanau |
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88th Cbt Spt Co (Hv Equip Maint) |
Pioneer Ksn, Hanau |
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881st Cbt Spt Co (Lt Equip Maint) |
Grossauheim Ksn, Hanau |
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71st Ord Co (Maint)(GS) |
Bitburg AB |
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71st Ord Det (Rkt-Msl Spt) |
Pioneer Ksn, Hanau |
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19th Cbt Spt Bn (Area Maint)(DS/GS) |
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HHD, 19th CS Bn |
Pendleton Bks, Giessen |
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14th Cbt Spt Co (Lt Maint)(DS) |
Camp Pieri, Wiesbaden |
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15th Cbt Spt Co (Lt Maint)(DS) |
Downs Bks, Fulda |
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24th Cbt Spt Co (Sup Svc)(DS) |
Pendleton Bks, Giessen |
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588th Cbt Spt Co (Maint Rear)(IS) |
Pendleton Bks, Giessen |
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172nd Ord Pltn (GM Maint) |
Downs Bks, Fulda |
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85th Cbt Spt Bn (Area Maint)(DS/GS) |
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HHD, 85th CS Bn |
Pioneer Ksn, Hanau |
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48th Cbt Spt Co (Lt Maint)(DS) |
Baumholder |
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81st Cbt Spt Co (Lt Equip Maint) |
Taylor Bks, Mannheim |
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557th Cbt Spt Co (Lt Maint)(DS) |
Pioneer Ksn, Hanau |
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699th Cbt Spt Co (Maint Rear)(IS) |
Pendelton Bks, Giessen |
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26th Cbt Spt Co (Sup Svc)(DS) |
Pioneer Ksn, Hanau |
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29th Cbt Spt Co (Sup Svc)(DS) |
Baumholder |
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![](3rd SUPCOM - ALOG March-April 1981 a.jpg)
ARMY LOGISTICIAN, MAR-APR 1981 |
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1981 |
(Source: ARMY LOGISTICIAN, MAR-APR 1981) |
The 3d SUPCOM provides logistics support to all of V Corps, a major tactical unit of U.S. Army, Europe, in Germany. The V Corps is situated in the center of the Federal Republic of Germany and is spread over approximately 30,000 square miles (see map above).
The 3d SUPCOM, consisting of the headquarters and nine organic major subordinate units, provides direct and general support maintenance and supply, materiel management, movements control, aviation intermediate maintenance, conventional ammunition support, field services, transportation, medical services, and NBC reconnaissance and decontamination support. It does not provide finance and postal services. Although division support is provided by organic division support commands, the 3d SUPCOM provides backup support. Fifty-three units with 7,000 personnel are dispersed to 29 kasernes, some of which are located to the south in the VII Corps' sector. This causes some support difficulties, which are being addressed.
The command supports more than 8,500 tracked vehicles, not including self-propelled artillery, and services nearly 250 artillery pieces. It also supports nearly 15,800 wheeled vehicles, 425 aircraft, and slightly under 2,500 missile systems. Slightly more than 52,000 items of communications equipment are also maintained.
Through extensive warehousing efforts during 1979, the ammunition stockage level rose from 24,000 to 45,000 short tons. Further increases through mid-1980 raised the total to more than 60,000 short tons.
Although statistics rarely convey the magnitude of a support effort, those presented here reflect the diversity and the ever-expanding scope of the 3d Support Command's mission.
The present 3d Support Command was originally constituted on 18 September 1950, as the 3d Logistical Command and was assigned to X Corps and attached to the Japan Logistical Command.
Inactivated on 20 March 1953, the command was reactivated on 15 June 1958, in France. Implementation of the COSCOM (corps support command) concept in U.S. Army, Europe, changed the command structure and lines of communication within USAREUR and updated the logistics system.
The V and VII Corps became separate commands answering directly to USAREUR. To enable them to operate separately, each was assigned a corps support command. Accordingly, the 2d and 3d Support Brigades were assigned to V and VII Corps respectively and upgraded to COSCOM's. On 25 June 1969, V COSCOM was released from 7th Army Support Command and assigned to V Corps. On 23 September 1974 V COSCOM became 3d Support Command (Corps). The (Corps) designation was dropped in 1979. |
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1984 |
(Source: SUPCOM Log, Feb 1984) |
3d SupCom was first formed as the 3rd Logistical Command on Sept. 18, 1950. It was assigned to X Corps and attached to the Japan Logistical Command.
Before being deactivated on March 20, 1953, the command participated in eight Korean campaigns.
The unit was reactivated on June 15, 1958, in France.
On June 25, 1969, 3d SupCom was assigned to support V Corps as the V Corps Support Command.
The COSCOM was redesignated 3rd Support Command (Corps) on Sept. 23, 1974. In late 1979, the (Corps) designation was dropped.
A recent addition to 3d Supcom's Self Service Supply Centers is the National Cash Register 2950 mini-computer. The computer automatically maintains running accounts of supplies in stock, tells the SSSC manager when it's time to reorder items and updates the customer's account. Once a bar code reader is added at the check-out counter, sales processing will be even faster and more accurate.
The 7,000 soldiers assigned to 3d SupCom operate in 54 company or separate detachment-sized units located on nearly 30 kasernes.
The largest SupCom unit is the 8th Maintenance Battalion. Authorized about 1,400 soldiers, the unit was formed on July 1, 1940 and served in Central Europe and the Rhineland during World War II. |
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1985 |
(Source: SUPCOM Log, Jan 1985) |
Sp5 Randy Llewellyn was responsible for the cover art on the Jan 1985 REFORGER 85 issues of the 3rd Suport Command newspaper, SUPCOM Log. His design captures 3rd SUPCOM units in the field - all nine unit creasts and the 3rd SUPCOM logo. |
![](SUPCOM%20Log%20Jan%201985%20Cover.jpg) |
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1... 3rd SUPCOM Patch
2... 85th Maint Bn
3... 15th Ord Bn
4... Spc Trps Bn
5... 68th Med Gp
6... 19th Maint Bn
7... 8th Maint Bn
8... 205th Trans Bn (AVIM)
9... 181st Trans Bn
10.. 142nd S&S Bn
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(Source: SUPCOM Log, April 1985) |
Headquarters moves to Wiesbaden this spring
By Norm Bothun
Third Support Command will permanently move its headquarters and most of its Special Troops Battalion to Wiesbaden Air Base this Spring.
Most elements of Special Troops Battalion will begin moving as early as the middle of May. Headquarters offiicials say the unit move should be completed June 20, when the 17th Data Processing Detachment establishes its operation.
The bulk of the Headquarters move will take place during the first week of June. Coinciding with the Headquarters and Special Troops move is the movement of Headquarters, 68th Medical Group and its 12th Evacuation Hospital, also to the air base.
News of the move was made public after V Corps officials formally notified the Wiesbaden Lord Mayor in late February. Soldiers in 3rd SupCom had known of the move for several months and, as of mid-March, about 60 Special Troops Battalion soldiers were residing with their families in Wiesbaden housing.
Under movement plans, Headquarters, 3rd Support Command and Special Troops Battalion will establish operations on Wiesbaden Air Base following a $1.3 million renovation program. |
Wiesbaden Air Base main gate, 1985
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The headquarters and battalion overhead operation will be co-located in Bldg. 1007, which is in the final stages of a $500,000 renovation. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 502nd Transportation Company, 503rd Chemical Detachment, 17th Data Processing Detachment and the 19th Support Center will move into renovated billets in Buildings 1009, 1010 and 1013.
The 17th and 19th administrative operations will be located in Bldg. 1031. Additionally, the 17th and 19th will share a computer site near the 29th Supply and Service Company's warehouse. The 17th is scheduled to move June 20. However, electrical requirements for the site will not be ready until at least August.
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The commander of 3rd SupCom will wear two hats after the move. In addition to being the SupCom commander, he will become the MiICom commander at an undetermined date. Wiesbaden MiICom soldiers will wear the 3rd SupCom patch.
Headquarters and Special Troops Battalion will join the 68th Medical Group and 29th Supply and Service Company at the air base. Also in Wiesbaden, but at Camp Pieri, is the command's 14th Maintenance Company. Near the Rhine River in Mainz-Kastel is the 142nd Supply and Service Battalion.
According to Lt. Col. Robert S. Hartman, Assistant Chief of Staff, talk of the Wiesbaden move began a few years ago but action wasn't taken until Task Force Lanham was formed in the spring on 1984.
Under the direction of the 3rd's deputy commander, Col. Michael C. Lanham, a task force was established to propose the move to V Corps and USAREUR, and execute it. Sixteen in-progress reviews later, "Things are starting to crystalize," Hartman said.
(Webmaster Note: The 95th Chemical Company in Giessen is the only Special Troops unit that will remain at its present location under the movement plan. |
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(Source: SUPCOM Log, July 1985) |
Headquarters completes unit move to Wiesbaden
By Norm Bothun
It was anything but easy. But after months of planning and weeks of execution, Headquarters, 3rd Support Command, and elements of Special Troops Battalion finished moving to Wiesbaden Air Base June 19.
Off the original move schedule by three days, the Corps Movements Control Center was the last Headquarters element to be moved and it took 181st Transportation Battalion to do it. According to a 3rd SupCom transportation official, shipments of household goods of soldiers on PCS orders took priority. Subsequently, the 181st transporters were called in and CMCC soldiers became the movers.
Third SupCom units now in Wiesbaden include the 68th Medical Group and all of its units, except the 7th Combat Support Hospital, which remains in Pirmasens; Special Troops Battalion and its units, except the 95th Chemical Company, in Giessen and the 17th Data Processing Detachment, which will remain in Frankfurt until October; the 142nd Supply and Service Battalion with its Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and 29th S&S Co., and the 14th Maintenance Company, 19th Maintenance Battalion.
About 1,000 new soldiers came to Wiesbaden as a result of the 68th, 3rd SupCom headquarters and Special Troops Battalion moves.
As part of the command's move to the city, the 3rd SupCom commander assumed control of the Wiesbaden Military Community June 14. MIICom solidiers now wear the 3rd SupCom patch and unit crest. An official SupCom and community change of command ceremony will take place July 16 at the Air Base when Brig. Gen. William B. McGrath assumes command.
Under the code name "Task Force Lanham," planning for the move started in the spring of 1984. Wiesbaden had been an 8th Infantry Division military community until 1984, when its 4th Brigade was deactivated. Since then the MiICom has been a V Corps community and its soldiers have worn the V Corps patch. The "hole" created by the 4th Brigade deactivation and timing made 3rd SupCom the best candidate for the backfill. The move enabled 3rd SupCom to consolidate its headquarters with its battalion operations and establish an identity separate of V Corps. Under Task Force Landham, the command proposal was developed and presented to V Corps, and adopted.
The telephone system remains the command's only major problem left to be resolved as a result of the move. Wiesbaden currently does not have sufficient trunk lines to handle the SupCom's large volume of daily telephone traffic. However, several initiatives are underway to alleviate the situation.
Plans for a new "wiring diagram" are underway, so that the headquarters' new telephone numbers can be distributed throughout the command. |
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Cmd
Avn Det, 3rd SUPCOM
Pocket Patch
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![](The%20SUSTAINER%20Jan%201989%20a%20400.jpg)
The SUSTAINER, January 1989 |
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16th Corps Support Group |
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16th Corps Suport Group crest |
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1988 |
(Source: Hanau Herald, January 7, 1988) |
The 16th Corps Support Group was activated at Pioneer Kaserne, in Hanau, on Sept. 16, 1987. In a ceremony attended by many distinguished German and U.S. Army guests, Brig. Gen. Thomas Arwood unfurled the group colors, symbolizing the activation of the group, and presented them to Col. Heinz Fiebig, the first commander of the 16th Corps Support Group.
The 16th Corps Support Group exercises command and control of the 8th Maintenance Bn, the 19th Maintenance Bn, the 85th Maintenance Bn, and the 142nd Supply and Service Bn. In doing so, the 16th Group is responsible for almost 4,000 forward-deployed members of the 3rd Support Command, about half of which are in the Hanau area.
The group's mission is to plan and execute logistics support. This support includes non-divisional DS maintenance, light equipment maintenance, missile maintenance and GS electronic equipment maintenance; field services such as water purification and graves registration, and supply support for classes I, II, Ill, IV, VII, and IX.
16th Support Group units support all V Corps to include backup support to the 3rd Armored Division, the 8th Infantry Division, and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
The four battalions comprised of 20 companies and detachments contribute to deterrence and readiness through essential logistics support. Headquarters, 16th Support Group supervises those operations and plans for group and subordinate unit involvement in training exercises, contingencies, and wartime operations.
The 16th Corps Support Group was activated to command and control both forward-deployed and mobilized reserve component combat service support units should the 3rd Support Command transition to a wartime posture. The Group also has a significant rear operations mission. It is responsible for coordinating security and defense of much of the corps rear area. |
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CAPSTONE Program |
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1982 |
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Related Links:
Grebenhain
Depot - NATO storage site at Grebenhain; page authored by
Alex Leib, Lich, Germany |
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