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{{Organization
|OrganizationName=European Command
|OrganizationType=Executive Departments
|Mission=To provide U.S. military support for NATO and to conduct military operations, if necessary, in order to ensure the security and stability of Europe and its surrounding areas. USEUCOM promotes peace, stability, and security through deterrence, crisis response, and cooperative security efforts.
|ParentOrganization=Department of Defense
|TopOrganization=Department of Defense
|CreationLegislation=Established under the Unified Command Plan in 1952
|Employees=1200
|OrganizationExecutive=Commander of U.S. European Command
|Services=Military operations; Deterrence; Security cooperation;
|HeadquartersLocation=48.73553, 9.08095
|HeadquartersAddress=Patch Barracks, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
|Website=https://www.eucom.mil
}}
{{Short description|Unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for the European region}}
{{Short description|Unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for the European region}}


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The respective titles of the service commands were: Commander-in-Chief, [[U.S. Air Forces in Europe]] (USAFE); Commander-in-Chief, [[U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean]]; and Commander-in-Chief, U.S. European Command. In line with the creation of the joint-service European Command, the Army command in Europe has redesignated U.S. Army Europe on 1 August 1952.
The respective titles of the service commands were: Commander-in-Chief, [[U.S. Air Forces in Europe]] (USAFE); Commander-in-Chief, [[U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean]]; and Commander-in-Chief, U.S. European Command. In line with the creation of the joint-service European Command, the Army command in Europe has redesignated U.S. Army Europe on 1 August 1952.


The unified command structure was born of the need to address changes wrought not only by America's rapid post-war demobilization but the end of the occupation of Germany in 1949. Questions arose over the U.S. commitment to the defense of Western Europe against the [[Soviet Union]] (USSR). Providing for the common defense was a great concern, especially after the Berlin Crisis of 1948–49 when the Soviet Union blocked access to the divided city and the U.S. and [[United Kingdom]] responded with an unprecedented airlift. In 1949 the allies established the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO).
The unified command structure was born of the need to address changes wrought not only by America's rapid post-war demobilization but the end of the occupation of Germany in 1949. Questions arose over the U.S. commitment to the defense of Western Europe against the Soviet Union (USSR). Providing for the common defense was a great concern, especially after the Berlin Crisis of 1948–49 when the Soviet Union blocked access to the divided city and the U.S. and United Kingdom responded with an unprecedented airlift. In 1949 the allies established the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO).


In 1952 the [[area of responsibility]] included continental Europe, the United Kingdom, North Africa and Turkey. The AOR was subsequently expanded to include Southwest Asia as far east as Iran and as far south as Saudi Arabia.
In 1952 the [[area of responsibility]] included continental Europe, the United Kingdom, North Africa and Turkey. The AOR was subsequently expanded to include Southwest Asia as far east as Iran and as far south as Saudi Arabia.
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[[File:EUCOM Hqdrs - IG Farben Bldg., Frankfurt (ca 1949-1952).jpg|thumb|The EUCOM headquarters in the [[IG Farben Building]], Frankfurt, 1952]]
[[File:EUCOM Hqdrs - IG Farben Bldg., Frankfurt (ca 1949-1952).jpg|thumb|The EUCOM headquarters in the [[IG Farben Building]], Frankfurt, 1952]]


After the Korean War began, the perceived threat to Europe grew. In early 1951, NATO established [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|Allied Command Europe]]. General [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] was called from retirement to become the first [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]]. The United States sent massive reinforcements to Europe to deter the [[Soviet Union]].
After the Korean War began, the perceived threat to Europe grew. In early 1951, NATO established [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|Allied Command Europe]]. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was called from retirement to become the first [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]]. The United States sent massive reinforcements to Europe to deter the Soviet Union.


From 1950 to 1953 United States military personnel in Europe grew from 120,000 to over 400,000. United States Air Forces in Europe grew from three groups with 35,000 personnel to eleven wings with 136,000 personnel. [[United States Sixth Fleet|Sixth Fleet]] in the [[Mediterranean]] doubled to more than 40 warships. United States Army, Europe, grew from one infantry division and three constabulary regiments to two corps with five divisions (including two mobilized National Guard divisions) and in November 1950 activated a new field army, Seventh Army, at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart.
From 1950 to 1953 United States military personnel in Europe grew from 120,000 to over 400,000. United States Air Forces in Europe grew from three groups with 35,000 personnel to eleven wings with 136,000 personnel. [[United States Sixth Fleet|Sixth Fleet]] in the [[Mediterranean]] doubled to more than 40 warships. United States Army, Europe, grew from one infantry division and three constabulary regiments to two corps with five divisions (including two mobilized National Guard divisions) and in November 1950 activated a new field army, Seventh Army, at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart.
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In 1966, following disagreements by the French with certain NATO military policies, President [[Charles de Gaulle]] stated that all forces within France's borders would have to come under French control by April 1969. Soon afterward, France announced that SHAPE and its subordinate headquarters must leave French territory by April 1967.<ref>{{cite web|title=1966-1967: SHAPE Finds a New Home|url=http://www.aco.nato.int/page1463252.aspx|work=Allied Command Operations - History of ACO|access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref> The following year, SHAPE moved to [[Mons, Belgium]], while Headquarters EUCOM moved to [[Patch Barracks]] in [[Stuttgart, Germany]]. Headquarters Seventh Army moved to [[Heidelberg]], where it merged with Headquarters United States Army, Europe. At Patch Barracks, EUCOM renovated the buildings, built a new operations center, and modernized communications infrastructure.
In 1966, following disagreements by the French with certain NATO military policies, President [[Charles de Gaulle]] stated that all forces within France's borders would have to come under French control by April 1969. Soon afterward, France announced that SHAPE and its subordinate headquarters must leave French territory by April 1967.<ref>{{cite web|title=1966-1967: SHAPE Finds a New Home|url=http://www.aco.nato.int/page1463252.aspx|work=Allied Command Operations - History of ACO|access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref> The following year, SHAPE moved to [[Mons, Belgium]], while Headquarters EUCOM moved to [[Patch Barracks]] in [[Stuttgart, Germany]]. Headquarters Seventh Army moved to [[Heidelberg]], where it merged with Headquarters United States Army, Europe. At Patch Barracks, EUCOM renovated the buildings, built a new operations center, and modernized communications infrastructure.


EUCOM continued to prepare for the defense of Europe and began a series of annual [[Exercise Reforger|REFORGER]] (Return of Forces to Germany) exercises in 1967. Cold War crises continued, including the 1968 [[Warsaw Pact]] [[Prague Spring|invasion of Czechoslovakia]]. But, because of the [[Vietnam War]], the number of the American forces in Europe slowly declined. Troop strength in Europe fell to 265,000 by 1970.
EUCOM continued to prepare for the defense of Europe and began a series of annual [[Exercise Reforger|REFORGER]] (Return of Forces to Germany) exercises in 1967. Cold War crises continued, including the 1968 [[Warsaw Pact]] [[Prague Spring|invasion of Czechoslovakia]]. But, because of the Vietnam War, the number of the American forces in Europe slowly declined. Troop strength in Europe fell to 265,000 by 1970.


===1970s===
===1970s===
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During the 1980s, negotiations continued with the Soviet Union on strategic and theater-level arms limitation. In 1987, the [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]] (INF Treaty) called an end to the deployment of SS-20s, Pershing IIs and GLCMs. In 1990, NATO and Warsaw Pact members signed a treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe (CFE).
During the 1980s, negotiations continued with the Soviet Union on strategic and theater-level arms limitation. In 1987, the [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]] (INF Treaty) called an end to the deployment of SS-20s, Pershing IIs and GLCMs. In 1990, NATO and Warsaw Pact members signed a treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe (CFE).


In 1989, the [[Soviet Union]] and other Soviet Bloc countries in Eastern Europe collapsed and the [[Cold War]] came to an end. The citizens from both East and West Berlin began tearing down the [[Berlin Wall]] on 9 November 1989.
In 1989, the Soviet Union and other Soviet Bloc countries in Eastern Europe collapsed and the [[Cold War]] came to an end. The citizens from both East and West Berlin began tearing down the [[Berlin Wall]] on 9 November 1989.


===1990s===
===1990s===
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[[File:2022 USEUCOM Change of Command 220701-Z-JY390-006.jpg|thumb|Attendants during the playing of the [[Armed Forces Medley]] at the USEUCOM change of command ceremony on 1 July 2022, where [[Christopher G. Cavoli]] (second from right) assumed command from [[Tod D. Wolters]] (far right).]]
[[File:2022 USEUCOM Change of Command 220701-Z-JY390-006.jpg|thumb|Attendants during the playing of the [[Armed Forces Medley]] at the USEUCOM change of command ceremony on 1 July 2022, where [[Christopher G. Cavoli]] (second from right) assumed command from [[Tod D. Wolters]] (far right).]]
[[File:Change of Command EUCOM 2016.6.JPG|thumb|U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Ash Carter]] (far left), outgoing combatant commander [[Philip M. Breedlove]] (far right), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff [[Joseph Dunford]] (background, obscured) applaud the new commander, [[Curtis Scaparrotti]] at the USEUCOM change of command ceremony on 3 May 2016.]]
[[File:Change of Command EUCOM 2016.6.JPG|thumb|U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Ash Carter]] (far left), outgoing combatant commander [[Philip M. Breedlove]] (far right), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff [[Joseph Dunford]] (background, obscured) applaud the new commander, [[Curtis Scaparrotti]] at the USEUCOM change of command ceremony on 3 May 2016.]]
Previously, this position held the title "[[Commander-in-Chief]] (CINC), United States European Command". However, following an order dated 24 October 2002 by [[U.S. Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]], all CINCs in the [[United States military]] were retitled "Commanders" and the use of "CINC" as an acronym for anyone other than the President was forbidden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=42568 |title='CINC' Is Sunk |date=25 October 2002 |agency=American Forces Press Service |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=2011-11-04 |quote=The term 'CINC' is sunk. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld put out a memo Oct. 24 to DoD leaders saying there is only one commander in chief in America — the president.}}</ref>
Previously, this position held the title "[[Commander-in-Chief]] (CINC), United States European Command". However, following an order dated 24 October 2002 by [[U.S. Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] Donald Rumsfeld, all CINCs in the [[United States military]] were retitled "Commanders" and the use of "CINC" as an acronym for anyone other than the President was forbidden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=42568 |title='CINC' Is Sunk |date=25 October 2002 |agency=American Forces Press Service |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=2011-11-04 |quote=The term 'CINC' is sunk. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld put out a memo Oct. 24 to DoD leaders saying there is only one commander in chief in America — the president.}}</ref>


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