Army transformation, efficiency efforts drive European theater sustainment exercise

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Ronald Ragin, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, presents his opening remarks to the attendees of the 21st TSC 2025 Army Sustainment Tabletop Exercise (TTX) at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Kaiserslautern, Germany, on June 5, 2025. Logisticians from across the European theater gather to discuss the new ways of being better coalition allies. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Mya Webster)

In support of Army transformation and efficiency efforts within U.S. Army Europe and Africa, logistics enterprise leaders from across the European theater came together for the 2025 Army Sustainment Tabletop Exercise hosted by the 21st Theater Sustainment Command at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Kaiserslautern, June 5.

Centered around real-world planning challenges, the exercise provided participants the opportunity to align priorities, refine procedures, and brainstorm actionable solutions in support of the Army’s broader transformation efforts.

“I have never seen the volume of change that is on the table. The volume of change that is coming.” said Maj. Gen. Ronald Ragin, commanding general of 21st TSC, as he opened the event. “The purpose of this TTX is to key in on these Army Transformation Initiatives and come up with innovative ways to maintain our efficiency.”

The TTX directly supports the Army Transformation Initiative, which focuses on three main objectives: Reassessing and eliminating outdated requirements, prioritizing warfighting needs, and empowering leaders at every echelon to reduce waste and drive cost-saving solutions.

Leaders and civilians from across the U.S. Department of Defense listen to the opening remarks presented by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Ronald Ragin, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, during the 21st TSC 2025 Army Sustainment Tabletop Exercise (TTX) at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Kaiserslautern, Germany, on June 5, 2025. The TTX facilitated discussions of the challenges that operating in a financially constrained environment could pose to the European theater. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Mya Webster)

“Seventy percent of our budget is transportation, supplies, and maintenance.” Ragin said. “We’ve got to look at our environment and ask ourselves: how do we optimize what we’re doing so that we can achieve cost savings?”

His remarks underscored the event’s purpose: To examine current sustainment practices and identify opportunities to free up resources for high-priority initiatives.

TTX events are traditionally designed to advance coordination, assess internal processes, and identify innovative ways to increase efficiency across theater-level operations. Ragin emphasized the importance of cost awareness and effective resource management as key components of a successful event.

“These collaborative efforts contribute to more efficient logistical support, improved readiness, and long-term alignment with United States Army Europe – Africa command priorities,” said Ragin. “Are you ready to be part of change? Then let’s be part of change.”