Geographically Separate Unit
Encyclopedia
Geographically Separate Unit (GSU) is a United States military term describing a base
that is physically separated from, yet not autonomous of its "parent" base. GSUs are "owned" by their parent organization and are typically quite small.
Assignment to a GSU can be a mixed blessing. The distance from the parent organization means a more relaxed atmosphere. However, it also means that members assigned to the GSU have to travel to the "parent" base for most military services such as the Commissary
, Base exchange
, or Personnel Unit.
RAF Feltwell
, subordinate to the 48th FW
of RAF Lakenheath
, is an example of a GSU.
A GSU should not be confused with a detachment
. Detachments are sub-units assigned to a different base from the parent unit. Detachments from one military branch can be assigned to a base belonging to a different branch. For instance, the 374th Communications Squadron from Yokota AB has a detachment at Camp Zama
.
Military base
A military base is a facility directly owned and operated by or for the military or one of its branches that shelters military equipment and personnel, and facilitates training and operations. In general, a military base provides accommodations for one or more units, but it may also be used as a...
that is physically separated from, yet not autonomous of its "parent" base. GSUs are "owned" by their parent organization and are typically quite small.
Assignment to a GSU can be a mixed blessing. The distance from the parent organization means a more relaxed atmosphere. However, it also means that members assigned to the GSU have to travel to the "parent" base for most military services such as the Commissary
Commissary
A commissary is someone delegated by a superior to execute a duty or an office; in a formal, legal context, one who has received power from a legitimate superior authority to pass judgment in a certain cause or to take information concerning it.-Word history:...
, Base exchange
Base exchange
A Base Exchange is a type of retail store operating on United States military installations worldwide...
, or Personnel Unit.
RAF Feltwell
RAF Feltwell
RAF Feltwell is a Royal Air Force station in Norfolk, East Anglia that is currently used by the United States Air Forces Europe. The station is located about 10 miles west of Thetford, and is in the borough of King's Lynn at approximate Ordnance Survey grid reference .A former Second World War...
, subordinate to the 48th FW
48th Fighter Wing
The 48th Fighter Wing is part of the United States Air Force Third Air Force, assigned to HQ Air Command Europe, and is based at RAF Lakenheath, England. The 48 FW is the only F-15 wing based in Europe...
of RAF Lakenheath
RAF Lakenheath
RAF Lakenheath, is a Royal Air Force military airbase near Lakenheath in Suffolk, England. Although an RAF station, it hosts United States Air Force units and personnel...
, is an example of a GSU.
A GSU should not be confused with a detachment
Detachment (military)
A detachment is a military unit. It can either be detached from a larger unit for a specific function or be a permanent unit smaller than a battalion. The term is often used to refer to a unit that is assigned to a different base from the parent unit...
. Detachments are sub-units assigned to a different base from the parent unit. Detachments from one military branch can be assigned to a base belonging to a different branch. For instance, the 374th Communications Squadron from Yokota AB has a detachment at Camp Zama
Camp Zama
is a United States Army post located in the cities of Zama and Sagamihara, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, about southwest of Tokyo.Camp Zama is home to the U.S. Army Japan /I Corps , the U.S. Army Japan Aviation Detachment "Ninjas" , the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade, the Japan Engineer...
.