Army supports Vienna Document visit

***image1***The U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern and the 21st Theater Support
Command are co-sponsoring a Vienna Document visit Monday to Thursday
here.

The Vienna Document is an agreement signed by the 56 members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

“The goal of the Vienna Document is to increase competence and security
in Europe,” said Eddie Coker, U.S. Army Europe arms control specialist.
“Events like this bring people together from the different countries to
get to know one another and build a confidence that there are no
aggressive intentions among the nations.”

Each member nation is required by the document to host a visit to one
of its military facilities once every five years. It’s America’s turn,
and U.S. Army Europe is fulfilling this requirement with support from
USAGK and 21st TSC.

So far, 48 delegates representing 30 countries will take part in the
visit to the Kaiserslautern Army Depot and Rhine Ordnance Barracks,
said Norbert Kurz, the garrison’s intelligence and security officer.

“This document is actually a part of an international agreement we have
with former East Bloc and other European countries as far as reduction
in weapons and equipment,” said Mr. Kurz.

Both of these local units are providing sites, personnel and equipment for static displays and demonstrations.

“This visit is just a ‘how do you do; welcome to our site; and, this is
what we’ve got,’” said Mr. Kurz. “We just want to welcome them with
open arms, and say we’re glad to see you and this is how the U.S. Army
in Europe does things.”

Delegates will be visiting the 21st TSC General Support Center-Europe
units at the KAD. They will see and receive briefs at shipment,
hazardous material and supply centers, and maintenance facilities. They
will then visit ROB where the 21st TSC 29th Support Group will provide
static displays of military vehicles and equipment, and demonstrations
such as how to stop a vehicle trying to run an installation gate.

This is the first time the VDOC visit will be held in Kaiserslautern.
It has been at Grafenwoehr the two previous times USAREUR has hosted
this event.