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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 German currency is the Euro. It is recommended that all incoming personnel have some Euros upon arrival for incidental expenses, telephone calls, etc.

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach is a U.S. Army Power Projection Platform consisting of aviation, engineering, and artillery assets spread across six sites and nine kasernes dispersed around the city of Ansbach and the village of Illesheim in the heart of Middle Franconia, Germany.

Today, Ansbach is home to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, the community's largest tenant unit, as well as the 7th Engineer Brigade, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. The garrison takes pride in supporting its Soldiers, family members, civilians, retirees, and Host Nation partners working and living in the Ansbach area.

MISSION

United States Army Garrison Ansbach integrates and delivers superior infrastructure and services for our community and readiness for our Forces to support U.S. Army Europe-Africa.

VISION

USAG Ansbach – a garrison that capitalizes on the COHESIVENESS of our community to steward our resources and multiply our IMPACT for 2030, and beyond.

History

Ansbach's garrison history traces back to the barracks of the “Haus_Trouppen zu Fuss” of Margrave Wilhelm Friedrich von Brandenburg-Ansbach in 1721. In 1863 the 2nd Bavarian Ulanen regiment took up main garrison in the center of the town. After the First World War the 2nd Squadron of the Cavalry Regiment Nr. 24 became the main unit of the garrison. In 1935 the construction of the airfield began. Three squadrons and an information train were stationed in Ansbach. After the end of the Second World War, the barracks and the airfield were passed to the U.S. Army.

The airfield became a NATO facility and the home to the 1st Armored Division. The Bismarck barracks was the site of the 1-37 Armor Tank Battalion before moving to Viseck in 1988. In 2006 a base reorganization brought in 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. In 2010 14 crewmembers of 5-158 GSAB were awarded the highest German medal for bravery for their actions in rescuing 11 German soldiers who came under attack in the Chahar Dara District of Afghanistan. The garrison has continued to grow and today is home to:

  • 12th Combat Aviation Brigade
  • 7th Engineer Brigade
  • 5-4 Air Defense Artillery Regiment
  • 1-57 Air Defense Artillery Regiment
  • The Ansbach Health Clinic
  • The Ansbach Dental Clinic
  • The Ansbach Veterinary Clinic
  • 7th Army Training Command
  • 405th Army Field Support Brigade

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 of Soldiers, family members, civilians, retirees, and Host Nation partners 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

The Ansbach Logistics Readiness Center operates (LRC) 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.

LRC can be contacted at CIV: +49 (0)9641-70-587-3080 or 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