U.S. and Luxembourg officials took part in a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 19, 2023, to inaugurate the expansion of the Warehouses Service Agency complex in Sanem, which is already the U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s largest depot on the continent.
“This $100 million dollars in investment made here in Luxembourg is another demonstration of the U.S. commitment to European defense and to the NATO Alliance," said U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg Tom Barrett. "This expansion project is part of our response to the rapidly evolving security context, which necessitates that all Allies continue to invest in modernizing our common defense and deterrence.”
The deployable air base system support and storage facilities project will add more than 200,000 square feet of additional facility space to the WSA, which supports the rapid deployment of War Reserve Material worldwide within 24 hours for any contingency. In 2020, responding to a request by the Government of Luxembourg, the U.S. Air Force provided power generators and refrigeration units from the WSA facility to the Luxembourg Army to support Luxembourg’s temporary field hospitals in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Luxembourg and the U.S. share a long history of bilateral cooperation. With this new project, we keep the momentum alive," said Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense François Bausch. "Authorities from the U.S., Luxembourg and the management of WSA have been working together over the last couple of years to make this extension project happen. This significant investment by the U.S. is proof and recognition that WSA is providing excellent services to USAFE. It echoes the continued commitment of the United States in Europe and in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.”
The WSA facility provides warehousing, logistical support and maintenance services for USAFE's War Reserve Materiel, which includes vehicles, aerospace ground equipment, aircraft support equipment and various airfield support equipment.
"This project will expand the already robust capabilities here at Sanem and bring increased capability and deterrence to protect our shared interests in Europe," said Col. James Vinson, USAFE's Logistics Readiness Division chief. "As United States Air Forces in Europe evolves to meet current and future threats, this site represents the strong collaboration between the United States and the Government of Luxembourg, and I want to thank all the stakeholders from both governments that made today's groundbreaking event possible."
The support and storage facilities project enhances the U.S. Air Force’s deployable air base system, a concept which allows a collection of shelters, vehicles, construction equipment and other gear to be pre-positioned and moved to any place the Air Force needs to stand up air operations.
“This is the first project of this scale for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers here in Luxembourg and we’re excited to be working with our U.S. Air Force, U.S. Embassy and Luxembourg host nation partners on this impressive project,” said Cheryl Fromme, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District deputy chief of engineering and construction. “Though it’s a newer location for us here, the mission is the same one that we’re proud to contribute to with our projects across Europe – supporting regional security by delivering facilities that enable U.S. forces and our allies and partners.”
