File: aacwr_24.txt
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within USEUCOM were generally specialists in tactical aircraft maintenance, transportation, engineering and services, security, and communications. They also supported SAC tankers and bombers in Europe.

USAFE had large amounts of war reserve materiel (WRM)- munitions, vehicles, equipment, and supplies--stocked at its main and collocated operating bases. The threat from the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact against western Europe had diminished, but until U.S. and NATO redefined their strategic objectives, USAFE's mission remained to defend NATO territory. Nonetheless, the U.S. and its European allies felt the Cold War had ebbed to the point there was little or no threat. Therefore, USEUCOM and USAFE were reasonable sources for aircraft, personnel, and logistical support for USCENTCOM. The materiel and logistics structures in Europe were closer to the combat theater, which reduced response time and the demand on an overburdened air and sealift system. On the other hand, USAFE was in the midst of reducing units and bases, making it difficult for the command to provide support. In some cases, unit or base closures were delayed until the war was over.

In the matter of munitions, usafe did not have enough to meet its NATO commitment. Thus, shipment of about one-third of its conventional weapons to the Persian Gulf and Turkey worsened the situation, especially since most of these were "preferred" weapons (air intercept missiles, cluster bob units, and precision guided bombs). The Air Force Munitions Control Point at Bill Air Force Base, Utah, directed USAFE to ship 85,415 tons of munitions for Desert Storm. Of this, 8,800 tons went to locations in USEUCOM to support SAC B-52s and JTF Proven Force.

In the maintenance arena, USAFE had a well-established repair infrastructure, and USCENTAF used it to maintain its fleet of aircraft. usafe maintenance shops repaired over 508 - engines, )d percent of all jet engines overhauled during 1 Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Bitburg, Hahn, and RAF Mildenhall served as central repair sites for F-15, F-16, and C-130 engines, respectively. Tactical Air Command provided 90 f engine maintenance personnel to augment the Bitburg engine shop, and Air Force Logistics Command sent 14 more to Hahn. The Mildenhall C-130 maintenance shops repaired 114 T-56 engines, 86 propellers, and 303 wheels and tires. Additionally, KC-135 maintenance specialists at Mildenhall repaired 984 wheels and tires and 385 brakes. USAFE also fixed ore than 6,000 pieces of aircraft avionics equipment. Besides providing in-shop maintenance, USAFE and European contract maintenance facilities repaired seven extensively damaged airplanes.

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