The US and Luxembourg have conducted a ground-breaking ceremony to expand the Warehouses Service Agency complex in Sanem, southwestern Luxembourg.
The initiative seeks a deployable air base system support and storage facility at the site for the US Department of Defense.
The complex is currently the US Air Forces in Europe’s (USAFE) largest military depot.
Investing in Shared Assets
Valued at $100 million, the project will integrate the hub with over 18,500 square meters (200,000 square feet) of additional space.
The effort will further support both USAFE and NATO’s collective security capabilities in the region once completed.
“This… investment made here in Luxembourg is another demonstration of the US commitment to European defense and to the NATO Alliance,” US Ambassador to Luxembourg Tom Barrett stated.
“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.”
![U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Det 4 Design and Construction Chief Allan Lucht, Det 4 Project Manager Ned Harshbarger and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District Project Manager Khang Ho discuss the Deployable Air Base System support and storage facilities being built at the Warehouses Service Agency complex in Sanem, Luxembourg before a groundbreaking ceremony for the project October 19, 2023. The project represents $100 million (€95 million) U.S. investment via the European Deterrence Initiative and will add more than 200,000 square feet of additional facility space to the WSA site, which is already the U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s largest depot on the continent. The project supports the readiness and responsiveness of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, reinforcing NATO’s collective defense and deterrence. (U.S. Army photo by Chris Gardner)](https://www.thedefensepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/8080583-scaled.jpg)
‘Keeping the Momentum Alive’
Luxembourg Defense Minister François Bausch added that the milestone boosts the enduring cooperation and capability between the EU state and the US to secure their shared interests.
“Luxembourg and the US share a long history of bilateral cooperation. With this new project, we keep the momentum alive,” the official said.
“Authorities from the US, Luxembourg and the management of [Warehouses Service Agency] have been working together over the last couple of years to make this extension project happen.”
“This significant investment by the US 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.”
A First for US Army
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Europe District will lead work on the Sanem complex in collaboration with the Warehouses Service Agency management and the Luxembourg Directorate of Defense.
“This is the first project of this scale for the [USACE] here in Luxembourg and we’re excited to be working with our US Air Force, US Embassy and Luxembourg host nation partners on this impressive project,” USACE EU Engineering & Construction Deputy Chief Cheryl Fromme stated.
“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 US forces and our allies and partners.”