BONN, Germany – A color guard and detachment of U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2d Theater Signal Brigade stood in formation with their German allies and participated in a change of command ceremony for the Bundeswehr CIS Command, March 27, 2019, in Bonn.
At the ceremony, German Army Maj. Gen. Heinrich-Wilhelm Steiner passed command of the Bundeswehr CIS Command to German Army Maj. Gen. Dr. Michael Faerber. During his remarks, Steiner said the Bundeswehr CIS Command enjoys a close partnership with the U.S. and other nations.
“It is something to be proud of, and I would therefore like to use this opportunity to say thank you for your close cooperation and thank you for your comradeship – it has been my pleasure,” Steiner said.
The 2d Theater Signal Brigade’s three Germany-based battalions all have formal partnerships with Bundeswehr CIS Command battalions: The 102d Strategic Signal Battalion in Wiesbaden is partnered with the Bundeswehr 282nd IT Battalion in Kastellaun; the 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion in Grafenwoehr is partnered with the Bundeswehr 383rd IT Battalion in Erfurt; and the 52d Strategic Signal Battalion in Stuttgart is partnered with the Bundeswehr 293rd IT Battalion in Murnau.
U.S. Army Col. Neil Khatod, commander of 2d Theater Signal Brigade, said having his Soldiers participate in the change of command ceremony is a visible sign of the partnership between the units.
“It demonstrates our commitment to the alliance and our partnership with the German military and the German community. When we know how to work together in peacetime, it makes it a natural partnership to fight together,” Khatod said.
He further explained that the partnership is essential to enabling tactical communications and combating cyber threats across the theater.
Steiner and Faerber both have extensive experience working with the U.S. military, and specifically Signal forces in Germany: Steiner was instrumental in formalizing the partnerships between his battalions and the 2d Theater Signal Brigade’s battalions, and as the Bundeswehr CIS Command deputy commander, Faerber established the Interoperability Cooperation Group in 2015 with 5th Signal Command (Theater). Designed to facilitate working-level interaction between the organizations and to synchronize operating procedures supporting multinational mission interoperability, the ICG continues to meet under 2d Theater Signal Brigade following the inactivation of 5th Signal Command in 2017.