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37th
Transportation Group
4th Transportation Command
Looking for more information from military/civilian
personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army
in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any
stories or thoughts on the subject, please email me (webmaster).
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| Group
History |
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| (Source: Email from Hermann Piehler, 37th TRANSCOM) |
| 37th Transportation Command will be inactivated on July 17, 2007. |
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37th Transportation Gp/Comd Commanders: |
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COL Burton Miles |
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Aug 1953 - Jul 1954 |
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COL Luis Greenfield |
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Jul 1954 - Aug 1956 |
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COL John A. Martin |
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Aug 1956 - Apr 1957 |
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COL George R. Russell |
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Apr 1957 - Oct 1958 |
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COL Erman M. Newmann |
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Oct 1958 - Aug 1961 |
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COL Floyd G. Burch |
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Aug 1961 - Feb 1963 |
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COL Mark C. Knox |
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Feb 1963 - Feb 1965 |
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COL John E. Murray |
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Feb 1965 - May 1967 |
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COL William C. Applegate |
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Jun 1967 - Dec 1968 |
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COL A. P. Howland |
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Dec 1968 - Jun 1970 |
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COL A. J. Glunn |
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Jun 1970 - Jun 1972 |
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COL John K. Henderson |
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Jun 1972 - Jan 1974 |
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COL James Lampros |
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Jan 1974 - Jun 1975 |
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COL Edward Honor |
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Jul 1975 - Jun 1976 |
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COL Phillip Smiley |
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Jun 1976 - May 1978 |
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COL James B. Barron |
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May 1978 - Apr 1980 |
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COL George A. Brown |
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Apr 1980 - Apr 1983 |
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COL Raymond L Stearns |
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Apr 1983 - Aug 1985 |
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COL Roy D. Yamachika |
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Aug 1985 - Aug 1987 |
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COL Joseph W. Power III |
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Aug 1987 - Aug 1989 |
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COL Roger G. Thompson JR |
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Aug 1989 - Aug 1991 |
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COL Charles D. Posta |
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Aug 1991 - Aug 1993 |
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COL H.A. Curry |
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Aug 1993 - Aug 1995 |
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COL Robert Kubiszewski |
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Aug 1995 - Aug 1997 |
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COL William E. Wolf |
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Aug 1997 - Aug 1999 |
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COL Donald P. Hart |
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Aug 1999 - Jul 2001 |
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COL Joseph L. Garnes |
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Jul 2001 - Jul 2003 |
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COL Susan R. Sowers |
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Jul 2003 - Jun 2005 |
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COL Michael H. MacNeil |
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Jun 2005 - dtd |
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1. Standard line haul truck (KB) |
2. M915A3 and XL trailer (KB) |
3. XB trailer with M-1114 Humvees (KB) |
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4. XB with 463L pallets
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5. IHC 2000D (KB)
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6. IHC 4070 (KB)
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7. 4070 and trailer (KB)
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| (Source: PowerPoint slides prepared for presentation as part of the 50th Anniversary ceremonies - 6966th Transportation Truck Terminal, Kaiserslautern) |
1. 50th Anniversary, Page 1 (KB) |
2. 50th Anniversary, Page 2 (KB) |
3. 50th Anniversary, Page 3 (KB) |
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| 1949
- 1952 |
| (Source: 37th
Transportation Highway Transport Division, Germany, 1952. Yearbook
1952) |
Yearbook,
1952
While
assigned to COMZEUR, the 37th and attached units wore the
COMZ patch
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37th
Transportation Highway Transport Division
Turley Barracks, Mannheim
It was only as late as 5 September 1952 that the 37th Transportation
Highway Transport Division celebrated its first anniversary
as an operational highway transport command.
This organization was activated (at Lager Hammelburg) on 15
October 1949 to meet a requirement under emergency plans for
a major highway field headquarters. At the time of activation,
there were only two Transportation Truck Battalions under Headquarters,
USAREUR. These were assigned to the Military Posts in which
they were located. For this reason it was not feasible to assign
sufficient units to the 37th Transportation Highway Transport
Division to permit daily operation in keeping with the mission
for which a transport division is basically organized. Because
of this, the 37th was assigned an occupation mission of running
the USAREUR Transportation Training Center (at Lager Hammelburg),
with a secondary mission of training for operation as a Transport
Division in the event of an emergency.
The Transportation Training Center was organized in January
of 1948 for the purpose of effecting the rehabilitation of Transportation
Truck Companies to include maintenance and driver training,
the rehabilitation of personnel and equipment, and the correction
of related administrative records. The 37th operated the USAREUR
Transportation Training Center from 15 October 1949 until 31
March 1951, on which date the Center was discontinued.
The 1951 EUCOM troop augmentation program not only provided
sufficient truck units to justify utilization of the 37th Transportation
Highway Transport Division in keeping with the mission for which
it was basically organized, but created the necessity for placing
highway transport units under a centralized field headquarters
to ensure proper coordination, training, and utilization which
were lacking under the decentralized (Military) Post control.
From the end of March until September 1951, the 37th remained
at Lager Hammelburg and was assigned interim responsibility
for organizing and training three light Transportation Truck
Companies from casual replacements received in the Command during
April. On 4 September 1951, the 37th Transportation Highway
Transport Division was physically moved from Lager Hammelburg
to Mannheim. At the same time, two Transportation Truck Battalions
and ten Transportation Truck Companies were assigned and it
became operational in accordance with its basic organization.
During the remainder of that year, three additional Transportation
Truck Battalions and ten Transportation Truck Companies were
assigned as they were organized or arrived in the theater. |
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Initial efforts
of the Division Headquarters were directed towards clarification
of command channels, orientation of newly arrived units, obtaining
permanent billet assignments, and the development of SOPs designed
to assure effective reporting and control procedures. Preliminary
action was taken to generate movement of cargo by highway with emphasis
placed on long-haul convoy movements. The subsequent development
of this organization can probably be best appreciated by citing
a few basic statistics.
During the calendar year 1951, Transportation Truck Battalions moved
a total of 70,517 tons while traveling a total of 2,164,520 miles.
Of these figures, 41,162 tons and 1,131,510 miles were logged after
5 September, the date that the 37th Transportation Highway Transport
Division became an operational headquarters. Highway operations
were generally of the standard types: long-haul convoys and short-haul
or shuttle operations. Two operations merit special attention: Operation
Drive-Away, and the Military Express and Passenger Service now operating
between Heidelberg, Germany, and Verdun, France.
Operation Drive-Away was organized
to move new replacement vehicles from Bremerhaven Port of Embarkation
to various Military Posts and Depots throughout the US Zone of Germany
and COM-Z. This operation realized a saving of $1,044,570, for the
cost of blocking and bracing a motor vehicle on a rail car was alone
as great as the entire cost of movement of that vehicle by highway
from the port to its destination. Beginning 14 April 1952, every
morning at 0545 hours, Monday through Friday, a sixty-vehicle convoy
left Bremerhaven bound through the British Zone for Kassel. Here
it spent the night at a temporary billet site established to accommodate
the soldiers who manned the convoy. The next day they would set
out again; before night fall, they would have reached their destinations
at the Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Rhine and Stuttgart Military Posts
- or, only one day later, at any remaining posts or COM-Z. Fourteen
Companies participated, delivering 7,500 vehicles and 604 trailers,
with only forty-seven accidents during the 3,620,000 miles driven.
The training derived from this operation were invaluable.
The other noteworthy operation, the Heidelberg-Verdun
Express and Passenger Service, is unique to military
highway transportation, and is designed to reduce cost and delay
of movement of personnel, express, and less-than-carload freight
shipments. The type of bus employed is arranged to operate with
up to sixteen passengers and two and a half tons of cargo. During
the first month of operation - October 1952 - this operation encompassed
12,420 miles, during which 437 passengers and 57.5 tons of cargo
were handled.
The 37th Transportation Highway Transport Division is composed of
the 28th and 154th
Transportation Truck Battalions, stationed at Mannheim;
the 24th, at Hanau; the 53rd
at Kaiserslautern; and the 148th, at
Ludwigsburg. Each Battalion consists of four assigned Companies
equipped with either light (2½-ton personnel or cargo) or heavy
(10-ton tractor-semitrailer) equipment; at least one heavy Company
is included in each Battalion.
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Vehicular equipment of units in the Division by the end of 1952 either had been or was in the process of being replaced by newer types. The Division and Battalion Headquarters Companies and the eleven Transportation Light Truck Companies were completely equipped with new M-type vehicles.
Division Headquarters is located at Turley Barracks, in Mannheim. Prior to World War II, the Barracks were known as Kaiser Wilhelm Kaserne. This Kaserne was one of the oldest in Germany, having been erected some sixty years ago to house Horse Artillery units of the German Army. Exterior walls of many of the buildings still retain, as souvenirs of their former occupants, scale-drawings of Allied tanks which were used in the Germans' tank-recognition training. A number of the present buildings, including the mess hall and the chapel, have been reconverted from stables. Another distinction of the chapel is its electric carillon, the only set of bells of this kind in the Command. The carillon was brought with voluntary contributions by the men and officers, who oversubscribed by $762 the $1,800 which was needed.
The Kaiser Wilhelm Kaserne was taken over by American forces shortly after VE-Day, and the name was changed soon after that to Turley Barracks. This was done in honor of Samuel J. Turley, A First Sergeant killed in action in France in 1944. When his Company was pinned down by enemy fire near Metz, Sergeant Turley stood erect with a machine gun in his hands and fired at the enemy while his Company withdrew. This gallantry cost him his life, and he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His memory is honored and perpetuated by the Turley Barracks installation, which today bears his name, and by the officers and men now stationed there, alert and prepared to meet and counter any military emergency.
Additional information on the subordinate units and some photos will be added in the near future. |
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 37th Transportation Gp DUI (approved July 31, 1969) |
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| 1949
- 1989 |
| (Source: 37th
Transportation Command History, 37th TRANSCOM web site, 1997) |
The 37th Transportation Command was organized as a Regular Army unit on February 10, 1936 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st Battalion, 22nd Quartermaster Regiment (Truck Corps).
Redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company on April 1, 1942, the unit supported the national mobilizations effort at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts.
On Christmas Day 1943, shortly before its deployment for wartime service in the European Theater of Operations, the Headquarters was organized and designated Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 37th Quartermaster Battalion (Mobile). The 37th served with distinction throughout the remainder of World War II, earning battle streamers for four major campaigns: Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; North Appenines; and the Po Valley.
Inactivated upon completion of its wartime service in Southern Europe on November 27, 1945 at Fevorola, Italy, it was again redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 37th Transportation Corps Battalion on August 1, 1946. |
Safe Driver Pin |
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Redesignated once again on July 8, 1949 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Transportation Highway Transport Division, the unit was designated for service in Central Europe where it was activated on October 15, 1949 at Lager Hammelburg, near Schweinfurt, Germany.
Providing continuous service to US Forces in Central Europe since that time the 37th Headquarters relocated first to Mannheim and on July 1, 1955 became the 37th Transportation Motor Transport Command.
Reassigned to the United States Communication Zone-Europe on November 1, 1956, the Headquarters then moved to Samac, France (near Orleans) and 14 days later became the 37th Transportation Highway Transport Command. The headquarters remained in France until April 1965 when it relocated to what is currently Kapaun Air Station in Kaiserslautern as part of the withdrawal of US Forces from France. |
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In October 1965 the Highway Transport Command became the 37th
Transportation Group.
During August of 1976 the 37 Transportation Group Headquarters moved
to its current location at Kleber Kaserne, Kaiserslautern.
On December 15, 1989, the 37th Transportation group became the 37th
Transportation Command by assuming the functions of the
4th Transportation
Command with the designation of TRANSCOM.
The 37th Transportation Command consist of two line haul transportation
battalions: one US Army battalion and one German Civilian Support
Center. The US Army is the 28th Transportation Battalion with headquarters
in Mannheim, Germany. The German Battalion is the 8986th Civilian
Support Center located at Pulaski Barracks, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
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| 1958
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| (Source: The
Transportation Movement System in USAREUR - 1958, report prepared
by the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University,
for the US Army Transportation Research Command, Fort Eustis, VA,
1958) |
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37th
Transportation Highway Transport Division
Organization Chart, 1958
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| 1959 |
| (Source: STARS & STRIPES, June 29, 1959) |
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37th Transportation Highway Transport Command
Article about the 780-mile line of communication operation by the 37th THTC
Section 1, 2, 3
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| 1966
(Relocation from France of COMZEUR) |
Source: FRELOC,
Volume I, Final Report (Phase I).
In 1966, USACOMZEUR Transportation Command, APO US Forces 09041, was
an 'assigned unit' of HQ, USACOMZEUR.
The 37th Transportation Highway Group and the Movement Control Center
in Frankfurt were subordinate units of the TRANSCOM.
In France during 1966, virtually all movements were handled commercially.
The 37th Truck Transportation Command operated primarily in Germany
making runs from German ports to COMZ ports in Germany, and from these
ports to customers located primarily in Germany.
With the shift in workload caused by FRELOC
(the master movement plan called for the maximum use of 37th TMTC
assets in moving equipment and supplies from France), the 37th TMTC
(Truck) was ordered to relocate its truck fleet (to France).
The 37th Trans Highway Gp was the line-haul highway operator for Central
Europe. It consisted of 18 truck companies and approximately 1,200
tractors, 2,400 trailers and 100 other trucks of various types. In
addition to movements during FRELOC, the Group continued its normal
mission of line-haul transportation in support of Seventh Army and
other USAFE and USAREUR units in Germany.
At the outset of FRELOC, the Group was spread out entirely across
France and north to Bremerhaven. As FRELOC progressed, units were
gradually withdrawn from Western France and into Eastern France to
assist in the task. In the final phases, Seventh Army truck units
were tasked to assume some of the line-haul mission in support of
Seventh Army units, thus releasing more of the 37th Group capability
for FRELOC.
The 37th Trans Gp was used for approximately 23% of the total FRELOC
movement requirement. Statistically, the 37th Group made 24,000 lifts,
drove 162,000,000 ton miles, carried 230,000 short tons, maintained
a tractor-trailer availability of 89.5% against a norm of 75%, lowered
its accident rate 36%, and dropped its ton mile cost from 1.7 to 1.4
cents. |
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UNIT
HISTORY - MISC. INFORMATION
Source: Unit History, 4th Transportation Command PAO, February 29,
1980.
COMZEUR Transportation Command was provisionally
formed on February 1, 1965 from the former HQ COMZ, Transportation
Division. The 37th Transportation Command, at that time headquartered
at SAMEC in France, was subordinate to the new command.
Source: WFE Notes.
The 82nd Transportation Company, 2nd
Transportation Bn, 37th Transportation Highway (Transport) Command,
APO 87, was inactivated on September 25, 1962.
Source: Email from Bruce E. Richards (personal
website)
I was in the 37th in the 1960's, and have been trying to track down
the companies I was in. I was in the 77th Trans. Co in LaRochelle,
Fr. in 1963. In 1964, we moved to Kassel, Germany with the 106th Trans.
Bn. which was located in Bremerhaven. I was latter assigned to the
598th Trans. Co in Kassel, also part of the 106th. |
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| If you have more
information on the history or organization of the 37th Transportation
Group/Command, please contact
me. |
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| (Source: Email
from Clinton Kirkland, HHD 37 Trans Gp, Dec 1972 thru Oct 1974) |
Group
tractor trailers,
early 1970s
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I
have been looking for a 37th Trans Gp website for over two years.
I was assigned to HHD 37 Trans Gp. I served from Dec 72 thru
Oct 74. I did the daily deadline report, that consisted of keep
track of the trucks that were down for the day. The report told
why a truck was down.
Example: parts - what part, when would the part be in.
maintence - how long would it be down.
That was the best time of my life. I miss all the guys and ladies.
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| TransCommunicator
Articles |
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| Meeting the
37th Transportation Group, Compiled
by PFC Ernest Jones;
March 25, 1982 |
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The 37th
Transportation Group, 4th TRANSCOM, is the largest
truck transportation organization of the free world. The mission
of the Group is to provide line haul highway transportation
for military cargo varying in size from one ounce letters
to a 60-ton M1 Abrams tank. To accomplish this mission, Group
vehicles travel throughout Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxemborg
and occassionally Denmark and the United Kingdom.
The
37th Transportation Group is comprised of the Group Headquarters,
three US Army Battalion Headquarters, one battalion-sized
German Civilian Support Center Headquarters, 19 truck companies
and nine Trailer Transfer Points. The Group headquarters,
commanded by Col. George A. Brown, is located at Kleber Kaserne,
Kaiserslautern, Germany.
The nerve center of the group headquarters is the Highway
Operations Section which receives and monitors until completion
all of the Group's vehicle commitments.
The Group's largest battalion is the 28th Transportation
Battalion located at Spinelli Barracks, Mannheim, Germany.
The 28th is the only battalion within the Group to have all
six truck companies located with the battalion headquarters.
The 40th and 109th Transportation Companies, are two units
in the 28th that are unique in that they are the only truck
companies in Europe whose primary mission is line haul bulk
POL.
The 28th also has one of the two Heavy Equipment Transporter
(HET) units within Europe.
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The
M911 (HET) tractor with the M747, 60 ton (HET) trailer are primarily
to transport heavy armored vehicles, by highway to and from
US Army Europe training areas, reducing the costly use of the
Deutsche Bundesbahn.
The 53rd Transportation Battalion is colocated with the
Group Headquarters in Kaiserslautern. Three Truck Companies
of the 53rd are colocated with the battalion headquarters and
its fourth at Husterhoeh Kaserne, Pirmasens. The 53rd has the
89th Transportation Company, the only truck company in Europe
with the primary mission to transport by highway the 59th Ordnance
Brigade's Special Weapons under the Nuclear Surety Program.
The most geographically dispersed of the Group's US battalions
is the 106th Transportation Battalion located at Azbill
Barracks, Russelsheim. The 106th has only one company colocated
on the same kaserne. The other three companies are located at
Carl Schurz Kaserne, Bremerhaven; W.O. Darby Kaserne, Fuerth;
and Giessen Army Depot, Giessen. The 106th in addition to its
line haul mission is responsible to transport cargo designated
for movement by military highway from the ocean ports located
located in Germany and Holland.
The equivalent to a US Army battalion is the 6966th Civilian
Support Center (CSC). One company is responsible for transporting
most of the frozen of perishable foods consumed by US personnel
in Europe. Another transports almost all of the conventional
ammunition movements by military highway. |
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6966th has one company that is divided between two locations,
with two platoons at Idar Oberstein and one platoon at Boeblingen.
The 6966th also has the other HET Company in Europe located
at Taylor Barracks, Mannheim.
The nine Trailer Transfer Points (TTP) are dispersed throughout
Germany, located at Rhein Main Air Base; Bremerhaven; Ramstein
Air Base; Giessen Army Depot; Panzer Kaserne, Kaiserslautern;
Coleman Barracks, Mannheim; Johnson Barracks, Fuerth; Boeblingen
Maintenance Plant and Idar Oberstein. TTP's are essential to
the efficient operation of the trailer relay system. The Trailer
Relay System enables the Group to shuttle trailers loaded
with general cargo between TTP's instead of direct delivery.
This system reduces the number of drivers remaining overnight,
away from their home station and increases the amount of cargo
transported on the Line of Communication (LOC).
Another important function of the TTP's is the accountability
of the Group's 1,668 central semi-trailer fleet, whether they
are located at a TTP or with one of the over 4,100 customers
serviced. The TTP's are also responsible to insure that the
trailers are mechanically safe for operation on the most dangerous
highways in the world and that scheduled maintenance services
are performed.
The men and women who drive the Group's vehicles work long hours
and sometimes seven days a week. However, there are many other
men and women in the Group that are just as important to the
mission. These people are the mechanics, cooks and clerks whose
daily performance of duty has a direct impact on the Group's
successful accomplishment. |
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| Taking a closer
look at the 6966th CSC, By
Sp4 Toni Christiano;
March 25, 1982 |
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They
could boast of being the FIRST and ONLY, part of the BIGGEST,
and of having some of the BEST. They are the 6966th
Civilian Support Center (CSC), 37th Transportation
Group, located at Pulaski Barracks in Kaiserslautern.
The 6966th was activated in June 1953 when railways were the
primary means of transport. But, now they are engaged in motor
highway line haul transportation. They transport general cargo,
heavy equipment, explosives, refrigerated cargo, and they
operate trailer transfer terminals.
THE FIRST . . . The 6966th was recently recognized by the
German government for an outstanding record of accident free
miles driven on motor highways. It was the FIRST time the
German government gave this award of achievment to a group
within the U.S. Forces.
THE ONLY . . . The CSC is the ONLY civilian truck transportation
organization within USAREUR. 97 percent of its members are
German nationals and three percent are citizens of other countries.
THE BIGGEST... As part of the 37th Transportation Group, it
is a member of the LARGEST Transportation outfit, not only
in Europe, but in the entire U.S. Army.
THE BEST . . . To further distinguish the CSC, for the past
two years, the CINC's Top Driver award for the highest accident/incident
free miles driven by an individual, of ALL
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drivers under USAREUR, went to two members of the 6966th. The
CINC award for FY 81 was earned by Leonard Bardtke, and for
FY 80, the Top Driver was Fritz Klein, both are with the 8364th
Group.
"Dependable service is what MAKES a Transporter," said Hans
Bovensiepen, CSC superintendent. When a driver shows up for
work at the CSC he rarely knows in advance where he's driving
that day. "It's a security precaution," Bovensiepen said. The
destination could be within the Federal Republic of Germany,
France, or the Benelux.
"Seventy percent of the CSC's commitments are deliveries of
priority one cargo," according to Bovensiepen. The statistics:
"All priority one and two cargo is delivered on time 99.7 percent
of the time," Bovensiepen said.
There are three basic rules which the Superintendent insists
that drivers abide by. "First: Don't lie to me. Second: Stay
within the route mapped out for delivery. Third: While on duty,
don't be under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.
Breaking any of these rules means a discharge within two hours,"
Bovensiepen said.
It's not difficult to enforce these rules, according to Bovensiepen,
because the drivers are proud and monitor each other. "For instance,"
he stated, "There are no drug problems within the CSC because
if a driver |
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did
get involved that way, the others would not tolerate it. He'd
soon be the outcast, and out of the organization. There's a
lot of peer pressure to perform at the highest standards." Bovensiepen
himself is the highest decorated non-American working for the
U.S. Forces.
The average age of a driver within CSC is 30 years old. 51 percent
of the drivers are between 21 and 32, and there are more married
men than single men. There are no female drivers.
There are seven transportation groups under the 6966th CSC.
Three are located at the headquarters, Pulaski Barracks, and
one each at Mannheim, Nahbollenbach, Boeblingen and Panzer Kaserne.
In addition to the pride, the very nature of REEFER and AMMO
missions demand responsible and dependable drivers. Dangerous
cargo must be delivered expediously for security and safety
reasons, and refrigerated cargo because it's perishable.
The drivers are selected for duty matching job requirements
with their experience and driving record, according to Bovensiepen.
It's no coincidence that both TOP Milers are with the Ammo hauling
group. But whatever the cargo, their "dependable service . .
. " might be the key to being the FIRST and ONLY, BIGGEST and
the BEST. |
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| Civilian Support
Center celebrates 30th anniversary, By
Sp4 Toni Christiano;
July 1983 |
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"The baby
has matured and it is now a strong person," said Hans Bovensiepen,
Superintendent of the 6966th Civilian Support
Center (CSC), 37th Transportation Group.
"In 1953 we were treated like the infants of the transportation
industry. Now we can take almost any sensitive commitment
in the whole transportation family," he said.
In June, the 6966th celebrated their 30th anniversary. Bovensiepen
recalled some of the prominent history of the organization.
"We were forced to cooperate after the war, but today it is
a real cooperation. We share the same goal with our allies:
peace in Europe," said Bovensiepen.
Time and a history of success in what often seemed to be impossible
situations brought the 6966th to a position of respect in
the industry.
Difficult beginnings: 1953
Bovensiepen related the difficult circumstances surrounding
the birth of the 6966th. "At first only 10 percent of the
personnel were transportation trained and the unit was given
three months to get fully operational," he said. Obstacles?
"It must be remembered that there were only American or U.S.
Army regulations pertaining to motor transportation available,
said Bovensiepen. "The former German Army had nothing to compare
with anything the U.S. Army Transportation Corps had available.
Consequently, all training publications had to be translated
to German," said Bovensiepen.
With their difficult objective of being operational in only
three months clearly defined, the 6966th reached their goal
and they were ready. Their trucks reached a daily availability
rate of 85 percent.
In 1953 there were 180 task vehicles (vehicles actually used
for the missions); 20 quarter tons; 3 wreckers; 5 three-quarter
tons; and 12 two-and-a-half ton M34s. All the trucks were
new, taken out of Army stock. Two hundred fifty-two task drivers
were hired. Today the 6966th has 371 task drivers performing
the tansportation mission.
"Back when we were first formed, operations were controlled
by a hierarchy, a pinpoint type leadership," said Bovensiepen.
"That was a more centralized management
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system.
Today it's decentralized. We have work councils and we are able
to adopt modern industrial management and still keep the military
concept. We used to travel in convoy, for example, but now we
use a system of individual dispatch," said Bovensiepen.
The whole operational concept changed in 1960 when the 2½ ton
truck was replaced by tractor/trailers. "The Air Force had some
new diesels just sitting in storage and they gave them to the
Army. We got them operational for our purpose (motor highway
transportation) at a cost of $68 a vehicle," said Bovensiepen.
"At this time the trailer transfer points became more vital.
"The diesels were easier to maintain and spare parts were easier
to come by. We were also authorized up to fourth echelon maintenance,"
said Bovensiepen. Today the 6966th uses commercial vehicles.
Bovensiepen relates a memorable mission in the history of the
6966th: "Operation: SNOW BOUND."
Operation SNOW BOUND was an effort to help the people of northern
Italy. Bovensiepen recalls, "They were snowed in and could only
receive supplies by air. The U.S. Air Force flew in supplies
of food, fuel, blankets, and clothing that were so badly needed.
The 6966th had drivers on the road around the clock bringing
supplies from Nahbollenbach/Idar Oberstein to Ramstein Air Base."
Bovensiepen said, "No one would drive under such icy conditions
unless they were on a mission of mercy. In recognition of the
vital role the 6966th played in Operation SNOWBOUND, the U.S.
Ambassador to Italy wrote a letter of appreciation to the 6966th
for this extraordinary humanitarian effort.
Drivers school organized
Bovensiepen noted that safety is a preoccupation of the 6966th
CSC. "The Army had so many safety programs. The fact was that
there were no such programs of this type for Germans. I adopted
everything I could get my hands on and enforced American style
safety programs. In 1953-54 we organized a central drivers academy
for the 6966th and its subordinate units. Today, every driver
hired, regardless of any equivalent German drivers license,
must be trained and licensed by our |
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drivers
academy at Pulaski Barracks." Bovensiepen said, "This system
is something I strongly believe in. In addition to classroom
teaching, the school has a program to road test its drivers."
The 6966th has come along way from the days of no safety programs
and the dedicated efforts of the personnel of the 6966th has
had a dramatic effect on the safety standards.
From labor to support
In remembering the many milestones that the 6966th has passed
in its dedicated service to NATO, the CSC can look back on a
colorful past which includes:
- June 25, 1953. The HHC, 6966th Labor Service Transportation
Truck Battalion (German) was established with the mission to
supervise operations of three light truck companies in depot
and convoy operations transporting ammunition, cargo and personnel.
- May 1957. The Battalion was redesignated Civilian Labor Group
(Transportation Truck).
- 1959. The light trucks were replaced by German diesel tractors
and consequently the unit became medium truck organization with
the revised mission of line haul motor transportation.
- 1960. The first trailer terminal at Boeblingen was organized
and activated.
- 1975. One HET company and one refrigerator company had been
activated with equipment provided by the 28th and 53rd Transportation
Battalions. Also, the 6966th took responsibilrtyfor TTP F in
Kaiserslautern.
- January 1982. The 6966th was again redesignated. The new designation,
as it is called today, is the 6966th Civilian Support Center.
The shared goal of peace in Europe remains the same for the
6966th as it does for all NATO partners. The 6966th has shown
itself to be ready and capable to stand side by side with its
partners in peace, united by the strong hand of friendship.
There is absolutely no doubt that the "baby has matured" and
that the 6966th Civilian Support Center can review what the
past 30 years with pride and satisfaction that they have shared
in the maintenance of freedom in Europe. |
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24th Trans Bn