Theater Consolidation and Shipping Point-Europe opens.

The Defense Distribution Depot Europe (DDDE) in Germersheim, Germany, opened its newest distribution facility, the Theater Consolidation and Shipping Point-Europe (TCSP--E), on 2 October. The TCSP--E acts as the primary conduit for sustainment materiel entering the European theater. As such, it rapidly consolidates and segregates shipments from multiple sources and prepares them for onward shipment to customers.

"We are honored that DDDE was chosen for this important mission," said Lieutenant Colonel Lance Koenig, DDDE Commander. "Our promise to the European Command (EUCOM) warfighter is that we will carry out the breakbulk distribution mission with the same professionalism and high standards that we have achieved while conducting DLA's [Defense Logistics Agency's] distribution mission."

As part of the Army's transformation in Europe, personnel strength in Europe was reduced and the focus shifted to warfighting functions. The transformation plan included the divesture of all noncore distribution functions, including the transfer of the Theater Distribution Center (TDC), which had been operated by the 21st Theater Support Command in Panzer Kaserne. A joint task force composed of action officers from the U.S. European Command, U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, DLA, and DDC recommended that the mission be moved from the TDC to the DDDE.

DDDE assumed responsibility for breakbulk surface and ocean containers in August, and, in early September, commercial air lines of communication (ALOC) pallets were transferred. Later that month, DDDE began receiving military ALOC pallets. The TCSP was fully operational by the end of October.