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Ansbach, United States Army Garrison

Photos

Army Community Service
Bowling Center on Katterbach
Brucken Center Ansbach
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Cost of Living

The cost of living in Germany is fairly reasonable compared to other countries in western Europe, although Germany's cost of living is more expensive than it's eastern European neighbors and many other parts of the world.

On average, you should expect to pay from 20- 25 Euros for lunch in a bar, café or restaurant or, up to 6 euros for a sandwich or bakery snack.  For example, a cup of coffee is around 4 Euros.

Installation Details

Special and Critical Installation Information

  • All personnel assigned to Germany must have in their possession a valid stateside license to be eligible for USAREUR licensing and must have a USAREUR license to operate vehicles.
  • The electrical current in Europe is 220 volts, 50 cycles compared to 110 volts, 60 cycles in the States.  A transformer is a device that converts 110v electrical currents into 220v electrical currents.  These devices allow one to use American appliances.  You must use caution when using 110 volts, 60 cycles appliances here in Germany.  For example, clocks operate at 5/6 the normal speed.  This means they lose ten minutes every hour, in other words, they don't work.  Most appliances with heating elements (toaster and irons) operate satisfactorily with a transformer. U.S. Microwaves, when operated by transformer, will eventually burn out.  You may find it easier to use appliances that will not require a large transformer, such as a coffee maker or hair dryer, and purchase 220 volt appliances in Europe.  These items may be sold at the military exchange or the thrift shop for a fraction of their original cost.
  • The German currency is the Euro.  It is recommended that all incoming personnel have some Euros upon arrival for incidental expenses, telephone calls, etc.
  • Active Duty do not need a Tourist Passport to travel to Germany, however, you will need a Tourist Passport to travel to other countries (once you are here you may get the opportunity to travel to other countries and will wish you had one).  If you are a U.S. citizen you can obtain a passport while here, it is easier to obtain one while you are still in CONUS.
  • The following records should be hand-carried: Orders, school records, soldiers with family members on accompanied assignments-DA form 5888 (EFMP Screening), passports, drivers license, bills, addresses, birth certificates, marriage licenses, secondary access to your bank accounts and items needed to file income taxes.  Family members seeking a job need to bring educational documentation.
  • Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) -- Screening must be completed before you PCS to Germany. 
  • If your dependents are not command sponsored, you cannot be assigned quarters until you command sponsored.   
  • International dialing from the US is 011 followed by the country code 49 and then the area code (minus the first zero).  For example: ACS phone number dialing from Germany is 0611-143-587-2121; dialing from the US is 011-49-611-143-587-2121.
  • There are several dogs (Bull-Terrier, Stafforsshire-Bullterriers) that come under the “Dangerous Dogs” law and they are not permitted to be brought into country. See “Pets” topic for a detailed discussion of allowable pets.
  • All child car seats must meet European standards ECE-44/03 or ECE 44/04. Children need a booster or car seat ​​​​​​​until 12 years of age.  If your child is under 12 and shorter than 150 centimeters (about 59 inches), they must be in a car seat or booster seat.  If they are under 12 and 150 centimeters or taller, they must use a seat belt, just like all adults.  No booster seats are allowed.  If they are 12 or older, regardless of height, they must use a seat belt (no boosters).  Children under 12 years old may sit in front only if the back seats are occupied by children.

In-Depth Overview

Mission

https://home.army.mil/ansbach/about

THE USAG ANSBACH MISSION:

United States Army Garrison Ansbach integrates and delivers base support to enable the readiness and force projection of permanent and rotational forces for U.S. Army Europe.

We provide state-of-the-art training and infrastructure, responsive quality of life programs that promote stability as well as effective environmental stewardship across our area of responsibility. We manage resources efficiently and equitably to support mission readiness and execution, and the well-being of service members, families, and civilians.

We are a valued member of the Installation Management Command community and demonstrate valuable support to the overall U.S. Army Europe mission. Service members, civilians, and their families within our footprint are confident that we will consistently meet their needs and remain dedicated to serving them. Members of the USAG Ansbach team are proud of their role, know that they are valued, and experience a positive and rewarding working environment.

THE USAG ANSBACH VISION:

The standard for garrison support to land force readiness and power projection in the U.S. Army Europe area of operations.

History

Ansbach has been a garrison city since the end of the Second World War and is the governmental capital of Middle Franconia.  Stadt Ansbach has hosted military garrisons for hundreds of years.  The first military installation, known as Hindenburg Kaserne, was built in 1772.  It hosted German Soldiers until the end of World War II when it was occupied by the U.S. Army.  It was returned to the German government in the early 1990s and is now home to a Bruecken Center Shopping Mall.  Ansbach is a beautiful city with a rich history.  Margrave's Palace, the Orangerie and Park, and the Kasper-Hauser-Memorial are just a few of the many historical sights located here.  Ansbach borders the Franconian Heights Nature Park which has extensive forests and open space and is also a point of interest on German Castle Road, which begins in Mannheim in the German west and goes as far east as Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

Population

Today the city of Ansbach has a population of over 50,000 residents. 

USAG Ansbach continues its vital mission of streamlining base support operations management, allowing tactical commanders to concentrate on their essential training and missions. The garrison takes pride in its support to more than 12,000 Soldiers, civilians, family members, and retirees living throughout the garrison footprint.

Location

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach is located in Middle Franconia and is in an area that includes the city of Ansbach and the town of Illesheim.

Within this areas are several different installations:  Bismarck Kaserne, Barton Barracks, Bleidorn Kaserne, Franken Kaserne, Katterbach Kaserne, Oberdachstetten Training Area, Shipton Kaserne, Storck Barracks, and Urlas Kaserne.

The City of Ansbach is located in the northern part of Bavaria, approximately 117 miles southeast of Frankfurt and 26 miles southwest of Nuernberg.

Directions

USAG Ansbach is located in northern Bavaria, Germany approximately 40 kilometers (circa 26 miles), southwest of Nuremberg.  The garrison is spread across three major U.S. installations among the cities of Ansbach, Katterbach and Illesheim.

Driving from Nuremberg Airport to Katterbach Kaserne:

  • Take the A3 in Erlenstegener Forst from Marienbergstrasse, through to Bierweg, then to Äussere Bayreuther Strasse. Merge on to the A3 via the ramp Regensburg/Amberg/A6/A9/Berlin/München.
  • Proceed on the A3, then take the A6 (west) for approximately 70 kms.
  • Exit the A6 at 54-Neuendettelsau driving north for 10 kms
  • Exit Ansbacher Strasse and take the B-14, direction Heilsbronn 10 kms.
  • Katterbach Kaserne will appear on your left, off the B-14 direction Ansbach.Time: Approximately 55 minutes.

Time: Approximately 55 minutes.

Driving from Munich Airport to Katterbach Kaserne:

  • Leaving the airport drive west to Friesing until Zentralallee and follow the signs to the Autobahn 9 (A9)
  • Take the A9 Direction Nürnberg (174 kms.) to the A6 west
  • Follow the A6 west for approximately 70 km
  • Exit the A6 at 54-Neuendettelsau driving north for 10 km
  • Exit Ansbacher Strasse and take the B-14, direction Heilsbronn 10 km.
  • Katterbach Kaserne will appear on your left, off the B-14 direction Ansbach

Time: Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.

For GPS coordinates to other USAG Ansbach Kasernes, click here.

Base Transportation

Shuttle Bus Information:

The Ansbach Logistics Readiness Center operates two (2) shuttle routes in the USAG Ansbach Community.

One shuttle runs between Barton Barracks, Bleidorn Barracks, Shipton Kaserne, Urlas Kaserne, Katterbach Kaserne, and Bismarck Kaserne; the other shuttle runs between Storck Barracks and Urlas Kaserne.

Shuttles run Mondays through Fridays and do not run on U.S. or German holidays. All passengers must present ID cards or installation passes, without exception. Shuttles are open to all community members, but Soldiers have priority.

 To access the shuttle bus schedule, please call CIV:09641-70-587-3080/ DSN: 587-3080.

Contact Information

To reach a base operator please call:

Commercial (from off the installation): +49 (0)9641 70 5921140

From a DSN Phone: 314-592-1140 or simply press 0 on the DSN Phone to be connected

For more contact numbers please refer to the Garrison Phone Book