26th Area Support Group Telephone Directory 293rd BSB, Mannheim 411th BSB, Heidelberg, Schwetzingen, Germersheim 415th BSB, Kaiserslautern, Miesau, Landstuhl and remote site Pirmasens 233rd BSB, Darmstadt, Babenhausen, Aachaffenburg Sports & Recreation Family & Single Soldier Support Facilities The 26th ASG is a diverse, exciting group of communities focused on maintaining the highest quality of life for its soldiers, civilians and family members.Quality of life within the 26th ASG is considered a "readiness issue" and can be compared to stateside assignments. U.S. style shopping, schools, medical facilities, dining, recreation, single soldier activities and family support are combined with diverse local culture to make your tour pleasant and memorable. The 26th ASG consists of the military communities of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Darmstadt, Babenhausen, Schwetzingen, the Frankfurt area, Germersheim and Kaiserslautern. Headquarters for the 26th ASG is on Patton Barracks in Heidelberg. The 26th ASG maintains and supports a community for approximately 60,000 soldiers, civilians and family members. It is made up of a diverse group of people consisting of host nation employees, soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and military family members. The 26th ASG is about the size of Massachusetts. The landscape offers picturesque beauty rivaling any in Europe, as well as bustling, modern cities with famous historical buildings, excellent cuisine, outstanding wines and friendly hospitality. The 26th ASG is comprised of the 293rd Base Support Battalion (BSB) headquartered in Mannheim, the 411th BSB headquartered in Heidelberg, the 415th BSB headquartered in Kaiserslautern and the 233rd BSB headquartered in Darmstadt. A number of special events and programs are available to all residents in the 26th ASG. German-American fests bring the local people and Americans together to enjoy food and drink, while relaxing in a large fest tent. Volksmarching is a unique experience and an economical way to see some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe, stay fit and meet new friends. All locations in the 26th ASG are convenient to marching clubs and hiking events take place the year around. Volksmarching gives the whole family a chance to spend good, quality time together. top 293RD BSB, MANNHEIM With a population of 340,000, the university town of Mannheim is the second largest city in Baden-Wurttemberg, an elegant old town, carefully restored after wartime bombing. The 5th Signal Command is located there as is the University of Maryland's European campus, which offers students a chance to complete their freshman and sophomore years in Germany. Mannheim, located at the center of the Rhine-Neckar triangle, is known as the city of quadrangles. On March 17, 1606 Prince-Elector Friedrich IV of Palatinate laid the plan for the fortified city with right angled streets. The city name itself describes Mannheim as a place where "men are at home." The population of the greater Mannheim-Ludwigshafen urban area exceeds half a million. top 411TH BSB, HEIDELBERG, SCHWETZINGEN, GERMERSHEIM Heidelberg, one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, is the largest German city never to have been bombed during World War II, and is the home of a celebrated university noted for its physicians and humanists. Heidelberg is nestled in the heart of the Neckar Valley about 70 miles south of Frankfurt. Relatively mild German weather is found in the Heidelberg area, and snowfall is very limited. It is home for Headquarters, U.S. Army, Europe, and 7th Army; Headquarters, Land Forces, Central Europe; and several other major commands, including the 26th ASG. top 415TH BSB KAISERSLAUTERN, MIESAU, LANDSTUHL AND REMOTE SITE PIRMASENS Kaiserslautern is the largest American military community outside the United States and includes the only large air base in Germany, Ramstein, and a major medical facility at Landstuhl. The American military is an important industry in the area. There was little reconstruction and a slow economy following World War II. Then, in 1952, the Americans moved in. This brought money to the area. Since then the city has been almost totally rebuilt. The towering modern city hall (Rathaus) was built from 1964-1968. Kaiserslautern annexed several surrounding villages in 1969 and now its population is approximately 100,000. Kaiserslautern earned its name as the favorite hunting retreat of Emperor (Kaiser) Frederick Barbarossa who ruled the diverse lands of the Holy Roman Empire from 1155 until 1190. The Lautern was then an important river that actually made the old section of Kaiserslautern an island in medieval times. Pirmasens is the center of the German shoe industry. The town, nearly destroyed in World War II, is now a bustling, modern town. Located close to the famed "Wine Road," Pirmasens offers numerous opportunities for day trips and excursions through Germany's beautiful vineyards and farmlands. Virtually all facilities imaginable are available in Kaiserslautern. U.S. Army facilities located there include the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and headquarters of the Defense Commissary Agency.top 233RD BSB, DARMSTADT, BABENHAUSEN, ASCHAFFENBURG The 233rd Base Support Battalion covers an area of 3,000 square kilometers reaching from Frankfurt/Main and Rhein Main airport in the north to Darmstadt in the south and Griesheim in the west to Babenhausen and Aschaffenburg in the east. It serves a population of over 11,000 soldiers, civilians, local nationals, family members and retirees who live and work in three kasernes, one depot, two training areas, two ranges and 14 housing areas in two different states, Hesse and Bavaria. Cambrai Fritsch Kaserne, built in the 1930s as two individual kasernes, is the hub of the community and home to Headquarters, 233rd Base Support Battalion. Lincoln Village, the largest government housing area in the 233rd BSB, and St. Barbara Village, the officer and CSM government housing area, are only a few minutes from Cambrai Fritsch Kaserne. The European Stars and Stripes complex is located in the neighboring community of Griesheim. Babenhausen Kaserne houses all of the facilities located in that town, including the housing area, dental and health clinics, elementary school and sports field. Soldiers and families of units stationed in Babenhausen also live in three Government housing areas in nearby Aschaffenburg. Most Army facilities have withdrawn from Frankfurt, but the city remains an interesting place to visit. It is the commercial center of Germany and has the largest airport on the European continent. Final plans have now been laid for the closing of the U.S. Rhein-Main Air Base, which shared the Frankfurt Airport�s runways. top Sports & Recreation � Sports. There are 14 fitness centers throughout the 26th ASG with well-trained staffs, convenient hours of operation, locker rooms and a full array of fitness equipment. Activities offered include basketball, racquetball, boxing, soccer, softball, flag football, rugby, aerobics, youth leagues and much more. The Heidelberg and Ramstein golf clubs are both 18-hole championship courses that rank with the very best in Germany, and membership rates are reasonable. Unit and community sports programs abound in the 26th ASG. Heidelberg, Mannheim and Kaiserslautern traditionally host some of the larger championships in Europe, including a number of international tournaments. � Community Centers. First-class centers in every BSB offer a relaxed atmosphere featuring tournaments in pool, table tennis and chess, special events, television rooms and much more. Musical equipment, games and other items can also be checked out for use in the centers. Concert tickets are sold and one-day tours are also organized. � Rod and Gun Clubs. Top-notch clubs in Heidelberg, Darmstadt and Kaiserslautern provide excellent German hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as bargain resale activities. Ranges accommodate rifle and pistol shooters and archery enthusiasts. � Outdoor Recreation. 26th ASG programs offer economical ski trips and packages to ski resorts in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and the Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) in southern Bavaria. Outdoor recreation checkout centers are available throughout the ASG. � Bowling. Modern centers offer multiple-lane facilities, pro shops, snack bars, game rooms and conference rooms. � USO. The worldwide United Service Organizations has several facilities in the 26th ASG. The Rhein-Neckar regional office is located in Mannheim. The USO also sells tickets to concerts and other special events in and around Germany. top FAMILY & SINGLE SOLDIER SUPPORT � Health Services. USAREUR�s two premier medical facilities, the Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center and U.S. Army Hospital, Heidelberg, are both in the 26th ASG. Patient liaison officers are available in each BSB to assist people who may need special services available only at local German facilities. Dental facilities in the 26th ASG provide general dentistry and specialty treatment to authorized individuals. There are also clinics in Mannheim and Darmstadt. � Schools. There are no fewer than 10 schools in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, making it the largest American school system outside the Continental United States. The schools are Ramstein Elementary School (K-3), Ramstein Intermediate School (4-5), Ramstein Middle School (6-8), Ramstein High School (9-12), Vogelweh Elementary School (K-5), Kaiserslautern Elementary School (K-5), Kaiserslautern Middle School (6-8), Kaiserslautern High School (9-12), Sembach Elementary (K-3), Sembach Middle (4-8) and Landstuhl Elementary and Middle (K-8). There are also elementary schools in Mannheim, Heidelberg and Darmstadt; middle schools in Heidelberg, Mannheim and Darmstadt, and high schools in Mannheim and Heidelberg. Students in the 233rd BSB attend high school in Wiesbaden, if they live in the Darmstadt-Frankfurt area, or in Hanau, if they live in the Babenhausen-Aschaffenburg area. � Child Development Services. 26th ASG CDS provides full service, center-based child care, the Family Child Care (FCC) program, the School Age Latch Key (SALK) program and respite child care for servicemembers in pay grade E-4 and below. All nine centers in the 26th ASG meet rigorous Department of Defense child care and safety standards. � Youth Services. YS operates a sports and fitness program throughout the ASG for organized seasonal sports such as football, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, swimming and cheerleading. Heidelberg YS's unique School of the Arts emphasizes programs in music, dance, visual arts and theater. Sports programs, student services and various leisure and recreational activities for youth ages 6-19 are available. Youth Services has an impressive array of activities in the 26th ASG. Each BSB has a main youth center, and there is another in Landstuhl. � Chapels. Religious services, religious education programs, support facilities and crisis intervention centers are located in each BSB. � Family Readiness Group training is available through all six Army Community Service (ACS) offices in the 26th ASG. Training focuses on numerous topics, including family support group formation, referral services, authorized support and community resources. The training can be geared to unit level or specific groups in each community and is portable, so that it can be given in places other than ACS centers. Family support groups are an excellent place to volunteer and gain new job skills. � Scouting. There are active scouting programs for girls and boys in the 26th ASG. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts advertise their activities and recruit members through the schools, libraries, youth activity centers and other media. � Red Cross. The American Red Cross has offices in each BSB to assist with medical reports, birth notices, spouse emergency notification during deployments and verification for emergency leave. Counseling and referrals on personal and family problems are also offered, as well as emergency financial assistance (on a case-to-case basis). � Single Soldier Quality of Life. This program is designed to bring single soldiers' quality of life in line with their married counterparts. Billets afford single soldiers more living space so they may decorate to their own tastes and include amenities such as floor kitchenettes, private facilities, fitness equipment and government furnishings. The Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program in the 26th ASG involves single soldiers in recreational travel and community help programs. � Volunteers. These are an integral part of every community. Many are able to work in their chosen fields and maintain skills or develop new ones. Volunteer experience offers great potential for self-fulfilment and may also be reflected on resumes for future job employment. Installation Volunteer Coordinator (IVC) offices assist agencies in each BSB by publicizing their need for volunteers.. � ACAP. The Army Career and Alumni Program and the Job Information Center offer services to help soldiers, civilians and family members in their transition to new careers. Updated computer job banks, interview training, benefits briefings and other reference materials are available for the job seeker. � Civilian Personnel Assistance Centers. The 411th and 415th BSBs each have a CPAC with a branch office of the Heidelberg CPAC serving the 293rd and 233rd BSBs. The centers provide job information and process applications for appropriated and non-appropriated fund positions. � Veterinary Services. These include animal disease prevention and control, issuance of health certificates and vaccinations.top FACILITIES � Commissaries. Modern, well-stocked commissaries are located throughout the 26th ASG, selling U.S. brand-name products and many European specialties. Both Heidelberg and Mannheim have opened brand new facilities within the past two years. A unique combined commissary-AAFES retail facility serves residents of Aschaffenburg. Other commissaries are in Ramstein, Darmstadt and Kaiserslautern. � Exchanges. Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) facilities are located throughout the 26th ASG. The Heidelberg Shopping Center is isolated with AAFES facilities and the commissary within its boundaries. Other AAFES main stores are located in Ramstein, Darmstadt and Vogelweh. Services include retail stores, service stations, shoppettes, pick-up points, military clothing sales stores, video stores, Class Six beverage shops, Burger Bars, laundromats, alterations shops, movie theaters and barber and beauty shops. Additionally, a variety of AAFES concessionaires offer many other services. The first AAFES-operated Vision Center in Europe is located on Coleman Barracks in Mannheim. � Restaurants. In addition to many excellent local restaurants, pubs and cafes in the 26th ASG, many installations feature U.S. franchises where U.S. currency is accepted. Places like Burger King, Popeye's Chicken and Robin Hood have full product line menus and opportunities for family member employment. � University of Maryland. U of M's European campus in Mannheim offers students the chance to complete their freshman and sophomore years in Germany. � Libraries. Excellent ones in each BSB provide invaluable, modern resources to students of all ages and levels, including research material for several master's degree programs and Internet access. Some libraries have a video library as well. � Clubs. Military clubs are important morale support activities in the 26th ASG. They offer fine dining, an assortment of snacks, live entertainment, excellent brunches, karaoke bars, wide-screen televisions, unit and group nights, plus many other programs and activities. � Transient Lodging. Temporary lodging facilities and guest houses are located in each BSB. These facilities offer affordable and comfortable alternatives to local hotels and pensions. � APOs. Military postal services are offered in Army Post Offices in every location in the 26th ASG. Mailing letters or small packages between European APOs is free. � Banking. Community banks offer full service banking in every ASG community. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) located throughout the ASG offer 24-hour service for deposits and withdrawals from both checking and savings accounts. � Auto Craft Shops. There are eight of them in the 26th ASG, offering assistance in performing automotive maintenance and repair. Equipment, tools and trained mechanics make everything, from charging a battery to major overhauls, possible at great cost savings.