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Europe is a considered a moderate to high cost of living area. Please prepare properly and work with a Personal Financial Counselor (PFC) to assist. Military & Family Readiness Center have embedded PFC to establish a budget to prepare for your relocation. Additionally, attend Plan My Move to gain useful knowledge to provide education material for the next move.
The cost of off-base housing and utilities is expensive in comparison with other areas in the world. Housing deposits can vary from one to three- months’ worth of rent depending upon the landlord or housing company. The housing and utility allowances cover the housing and utility expenses. Work closely with 52 CES Housing Office (within two business days) and 52 FW/CPTS (within five business days) to determine the authorized housing allowances before entering a housing agreement.
Upon arrival, contact the Spangdahlem VAT/UTAP Office to learn how to save up to 19% on tax of purchases made on the German economy as well as your heating oil/gas and electricity expenses.
Passports and Visas
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing at the losing installation.
Questions or concerns with passports, visas or birth abroad paperwork? Contact the Passport Office at DSN 314-452-4448 or Comm 06565-61-4448 or via 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 to the military members and their families. It is essential that members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Please understand that a Tourist Passport is required to 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.
Mission Priorities: Nuclear Deterrence, Agile Combat Employment, Integrated Base Defense.
Pillars: Mission, Airmen, Community
Click here for 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 is about 20 miles northeast of the city of Trier and lies near the borders of Belgium, Luxembourg and France.
Originally established as the 52d Fighter Wing, All Weather, on 10 May 1948 and activated on 9 June 1948, the 52 FW was first stationed at Mitchel Field, New York. The 52 FW moved to McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey in 1949 and in 1950 was redesignated as the 52d Fighter-All Weather Wing. In 1951, the wing redesignated again, this time to become the 52d Fighter-Interceptor Wing. This was followed by inactivation in 1952. The wing remained inactive until 11 April 1963 when it was also redesignated as the 52d 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 52d Tactical Fighter Wing and activated in 1971, the 52d has been active at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany ever since. The 52d Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated the 52d Fighter Wing on 1 October 1991 and is the wing we know today.
Population served at Spangdahlem AB, including GSU's, Tenant Units, and FOA Dets:
Military 4,800
Local Nationals: 840
US Civilians APF/NAF: 200
Dependents: 7,600
Total Population: approximately 14,000
Population of the local area:
Eifel Region: 900,000
City of Trier: approximately 110,000
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 and Frankfurt airports. You can access up-to-date shuttle information at: DSN 314-452-7684 or Comm: 011-49-6565-61-7684. An alternate option is a taxi service available for hire at the airport(s) or on base with cost varying based on the distance. We highly encourage using the 52 FSS Saber Shuttle due to the large cost associated with taxis.
NOTE: It is highly recommended all Service Members and their family members arrive at Spangdahlem with a valid stateside 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 require a trip back to the United States or the local driving school. 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.
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 the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using 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.
To call Spangdahlem AB within Germany after your arrival:
Keep in mind the time difference between Germany and the location you are calling from.