If U.S. Army Europe’s next chief of staff doesn’t sound like an American, that’s because he’s not; he’s German.
Brig. Gen. Markus Laubenthal was announced by the German Federal Ministry of Defense as the next USAREUR chief of staff on Thursday.
“This is a bold and major step forward in USAREUR’s commitment to operating in a multinational environment with our German allies. U.S. and German senior military leaders have been serving together in NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan for years,” said Lt. Gen. Donald Campbell Jr., USAREUR commanding general, the U.S. Army reported Thursday.
Gen. Campbell added that the move sent a “strong message” that the United States was serious about being part of a “multinational team,” the U.S. Army reported.
Gen. Laubenthal has already started receiving initial briefings from USAREUR staff. His full-time role will begin Aug. 4.
“I view my new duties as chief of staff with interest and respect,” Gen. Laubenthal said Thursday, the U.S. Army reported. “I am sure that I can use the experience I gained in the German Army supporting the training of ready army forces in my new position with USAREUR,” he added.
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The German officer was previously the commander of Bundeswehr’s Panzerbrigade 12 (12th Armored Brigade).
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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