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Europe is considered as a moderate to high cost of living area. To prepare properly, we recommend working with a Personal Financial Counselor (PFC) to help with financial considerations and budgeting. Your local Military & Family Readiness Center houses the PFCs and may offer a Plan My Move Workshop to provide you with information and relocation resources beneficial to your PCS.
The cost of off-base housing and utilities may be considered expensive in comparison with other areas in the world. Housing deposits can vary from one to three-months’ worth of rent, dependent upon the landlord or housing company. The housing and utility allowances should cover your housing and utility expenses. Work with the Housing and Finance office, as you in-process, to know and understand your authorized housing allowances/pay before entering into a housing agreement.
Visit the Spangdahlem VAT/UTAP Office to learn how to save on taxes for your purchases and utility charges that are made on the German economy.
Passports and Visas
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required documents (passports and/or visa) prior to out-processing at the losing installation.
For any questions regarding passports, visas, or birth abroad paperwork, contact the Passport Office at DSN 314-452-4448, Comm 06565-61-4448, or email:52mss.dpmpsp@us.af.mil
Moving abroad? Learn how to obtain your Official Passport. Click here to view a handout concerning Passports for DoDEA and DOD civilians. Click here to view a handout concerning Passports for Tourists and No Fee Passports.
These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships for military members and their families. It is essential that members do not out-process without having proper documents for themselves and/or dependents. Please understand that a Tourist Passport is required for travel outside of Germany while stationed abroad.
The mission of the Bureau of Consular Affairs is to protect the lives and interests of American citizens abroad and to strengthen the security of United States borders through the vigilant adjudication of visas and passports. The Bureau issues the travel documents that allow Americans to travel the globe and lawful immigrants and visitors to travel to America and provides an essential cycle of life services to American citizens overseas.
The 52nd FW maintains, deploys, and employs F-16CM Fighting Falcons in support of NATO and the national defense directives.
Mission: Deliver Airpower options to deter and combat aggression.
Pillars: Mission, Airmen, Community
Mission Priorities: Nuclear Deterrence, Agile Combat Employment, Integrated Base Defense.
Visit the Spangdahlem AB Website more information on Spangdahlem Air Base's mission.
Germany is located in the center of nine neighboring countries: Denmark to the north, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France to the west, Switzerland and Austria to the south and the Czech Republic and Poland to the east. The country is full of charming towns and beautiful landscapes. Spangdahlem Air Base is in southwest Germany in the federal state of Rheinland-Pfalz in a region known as the Eifel. It's about 20 miles northeast of the city of Trier and lies near the borders of Belgium, Luxembourg and France.
Originally established as the 52nd Fighter Wing, All Weather on May 10, 1948 and activated on June 9, 1948, the 52FW was first stationed at Mitchel Field, New York. The 52FW moved to McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey in 1949 and in 1950 was redesignated as the 52nd Fighter-All Weather Wing. In 1951, the wing redesignated again, this time to become the 52nd Fighter-Interceptor Wing. This was followed by inactivation in 1952. The wing remained inactive until April 11, 1963 when it was also redesignated as the 52nd Fighter Wing (Air Defense) at Suffolk County Air Force Base, New York. The wing was active for only a few years before inactivating again in 1968. Redesignated as the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing and activated in 1971, the 52nd has been active at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany ever since. The 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated the 52nd Fighter Wing on October 1, 1991 and is the Wing we know today.
Population served at Spangdahlem AB including GSU's, tenant units and FOA Dets:
Population of the local area:
Base Transportation is limited for shuttle services. Coordinate with 52 LRS Vehicle Request office for official duty requests or questions regarding Base Transportation Support.
For personal services, the 52 FSS Saber Shuttle operates to/from Spangdahlem to Ramstein Passenger Terminal/Frankfurt airport. You can access up-to-date shuttle information by calling DSN 314-452-7684 or Comm: 011-49-6565-61-7684. An alternative option is a taxi service available for hire at the airport(s) or on base with cost varying based on the distance and location. We highly encourage using the 52 FSS Saber Shuttle due to the large cost associated with taxis.
NOTE: All Service Members and their family members coming to Spangdahlem will need to have a valid driver’s license. You will not be able to obtain a USAREUR license without a valid driver's license and obtaining a stateside license after arrival may not be possible to receive in the mail based on your state requirements. The local German driving school cost can range between $3500-4000 and may require a year of training.
There is NO public transportation services available on base except off base taxi services.
Spangdahlem Base Operator:
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number, and those numbers vary by location. To place a call to a DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation (CONUS) to another CONUS installation, it is not necessary to dial the stateside DSN area code (312). When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the overseas DSN area code (314) must be included.
Calling Spangdahlem AB within Germany: