|
98th
Area Support Group
The 98th ASG provides base operations and quality of life support for elements
of the 1st Infantry Division, V Corps and United States Army Europe. It is located
in the Franconian wine producing region in the state of Bavaria, which is characterized
by rivers winding past countless walled towns with half-timbered homes and cobblestone
streets dating back to the Middle Ages.
98TH AREA SUPPORT GROUP, WUERZBURG, HEADQUARTERS
Situated in the wide valley of the Main River in the center of Bavaria's most
famous wine producing area (Lower Franconia), Wuerzburg is a city rich in history.
Many military communities are located in river towns, providing endless opportunities
for riverside walking and hiking. The 98th ASG is a dynamic, forward looking community
whose primary focus is meeting the needs of approximately 44,000 soldiers, family
members and civilians.
It is comprised of the 235th Base Support Battalion (BSB), headquartered in Ansbach;
the 279th BSB, headquartered in Bamberg; the 280th BSB, headquartered in Schweinfurt;
and the 417th BSB, headquartered in Kitzingen. The headquarters for the 98th ASG
is located in Wuerzberg.
Left untouched for most of World War II, it suffered the tragic distinction of
being the last city destroyed by Britain's Royal Air Force. On the night of March
16, 1945, Wuerzburg was pulverized in a massive air raid and resulting fire storm.
Troops from the 42d Infantry Division, XXI Corps, 7th Army, captured and occupied
Wuerzburg on 4 April 1945, and the Wuerzburg Military Post was organized and established
on 15 March 1947.
Now completely rebuilt, Wuerzburg is a university city whose vineyards produce
a fine, dry white wine sold in a uniquely shaped bottle, the bocksbeutel.top
235TH BSB, ANSBACH, ILLESHEIM
There are several Army installations in Ansbach. Shipton Kaserne, home to 6th
Bn., 52nd Air Defense Artillery; Katterbach Kaserne, where the 1st Division's
4th Combat Aviation Brigade resides; Bismarck Kaserne where the post exchange,
theater, and community club are located, and Barton Barracks, home to the 235th
BSB. The BSB has a fishing/camping area, Soldiers Lake, in Ansbach.
Ansbach, the 1,200-year-old capital city of Franconia, is steeped in history.
It's mentioned in records dating before the rule of Charlemagne. Ansbach was damaged
in World War II but was saved from total destruction. Completely restored, it
still retains its medieval character.
Storck Barracks in Illesheim is home to V Corps' 11th Aviation Regiment. It is
named in honor of Colonel Louis J. Storck, U.S. Army, who was killed in action
in France in 1944. Though somewhat small and isolated, Storck Barracks has every
life-sustaining facility necessary; commissary, shoppette, bookstore, education
center, clubs and tremendous recreational outlets.top
279TH BSB, BAMBERG
Bamberg is home to a variety of units. Major 1st Division units at Bamberg include
the Engineer Brigade and Divarty.
One of the best preserved tourist attractions in Germany, the ancient city of
Bamberg is bisected by the Regnitz river. In fact, the Altes Rathaus, or old town
hall, is constructed on a stone bridge spanning the river. Bamberg is often called
"Little Prague on the Regnitz" because of a skyline view similar to Prague's.
It also has a section called "Little Venice" because of its waterways.
Warner Barracks in Bamberg has been occupied by American forces since the end
of World War II. Prior to the war, almost every branch of the German Army was
stationed at Warner Barracks at some time, the most elite being the 35th Armor
and the 17th cavalry Regiments. The cavalry was composed of noblemen who were
wealthy and had their own riding school. The stables and school are occupied by
the present PX, commissary and community engineering areas.
After World War II the headquarters of the U.S. Constabulary, created to occupy
Germany, was located in Bamberg. The current Warner Barracks complex was appropriated
in 1950 by US forces and renamed in honor of CPL Henry Warner, who was killed
in action in 1944 after his heroic anti-tank actions in Dom Budgenbach, Belgium.
280TH BSB, SCHWEINFURT
Schweinfurt military community is primarily comprised of soldiers assigned to
the 1st Infantry Division, the "Big Red One". The largest organizations are the
2nd Brigade Combat Team, which consists of infantry, armor, field artillery, engineer
and logistic battalions, and the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry. These units are located
on two kasernes (Conn and Ledward Barracks). The installation is also home to
several support organizations to include AAFES, DeCA, DoDDS, and MWR.
Schweinfurt's status as a ball bearing manufacturing center made it an ideal target
during the Second World War. Steeped with history, Schweinfurt endured no less
than 17 Allied bombing attacks between October 1944 and April 1945. In 1945, the
U.S. Army marched into Schweinfurt, seized the Flugplatz and then turned it over
to the American Air Corps. In 1948, Schweinfurt was transferred to the U.S. Army.
Schweinfurt, north of Wuerzburg along the banks of the Main River, offers an enchanting
array of picturesque buildings, parks, outdoor markets, and recreational facilities.top
417TH BSB, KITZINGEN, GIEBELSTADT, WUERZBURG
The 417th Base Support Battalion is one of the largest BSBs in USAREUR and consists
of three military communities located in Kitzingen, Wuerzburg and Giebelstadt.
It is responsible for six installations and five training areas.
The city of Kitzingen, despite a turbulent history, is presently a place of serenity
with green rolling hills, cobblestone streets, quaint shops and houses with flower-filled
window boxes.
There are two military post in Kitzingen; Harvey Barracks and Larson Barracks.
What is now Harvey Barracks was built in 1917 and served as a training school
for pilots during World War I.. Towards the end of World War II, a few jets were
stationed there and hidden in the forest.
U.S. Army units took over the base at the end of 1945. On 2 April 1951, Harvey
Barracks was named in honor of Captain James R. Harvey, who was killed during
the 1944 D-Day landings.
Larson Barracks served as a camp for displaced persons from 1945 to 1947, and
from 1947 to 1952, it was used as a collection point for German Army trucks to
be overhauled and made ready for sale. In May 1962, Larson Barracks was named
in honor of Captain Stanley L. Larson, who was killed while clearing a minefield
on the Anzio Beachhead in Italy. top
SPORTS & RECREATION
Each BSB within the 98th ASG offers fitness centers 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 and youth leagues. Wuerzburg has a golf course
at Kitzingen's Larson Barracks. Unit and community sports programs abound in the
ASG. Being situated on a river makes Schweinfurt ideally suited for hobbies like
rowing, water skiing, camping and angling.
� Community Centers are located throughout the ASG offering a relaxed atmosphere
with tournaments (pool, table tennis, 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 organized
year-round.
� Rod and Gun Clubs. Top-notch ones are located at Kitzingen and Bamberg,
providing excellent German hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as resale
activities. Ranges accommodate both rifle and pistol shooters as well as archery
enthusiasts.
� Outdoor Recreation. The 98th ASG program plans economical ski trips,
complete with rental equipment, to the most famous ski resorts in Europe, including
those in Austria, Switzerland, France and the Armed Forces Recreation Centers
(AFRCs) in southern Bavaria. Outdoor recreation centers also offer camping trips
and rental equipment.
� Children's Sports. Youth Services (YS) runs a sports and fitness program
which provides opportunities for children throughout the ASG to participate in
organized seasonal sports such as football, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball,
swimming and cheerleading.
� Operation "Provide Turkey" is unique to the Wuerzburg and Kitzingen communities.
This program, started in 1994, offers German university students the opportunity
to share in the festivities of the American holiday of Thanksgiving in an American
home.
� German-American Fests offer Germans and Americans the chance to get together
and enjoy food and drink while relaxing in a large fest tent. top
FAMILY & SINGLE SOLDIER SUPPORT
Single soldier initiatives have picked up momentum in the 98th ASG. This program
is designed to bring the quality of life of single soldiers more in line with
that of their married counterparts. Billets now afford single soldiers more living
space and include amenities such as kitchenettes, fitness equipment, private facilities
and government furnishings. Each BSB also has an active Better Opportunities for
Single Servicemembers (BOSS) program which is administered by and for single soldiers
to give them a forum to plan activities that meet their needs and interests.
� CDS. Child Development Services addresses child care needs for children
ages four weeks to 12 years through Child Development Centers (CDC), Family Child
Care (FCC) programs, the School Age Latch Key (SALK) program and Supplemental
Programs and Services (SPS). Sure Start programs, modeled after the highly successful
Head Start program, are offered in the 417th BSB in Kitzingen and the 279th BSB
in Bamberg.
� DoDDS. Department of Defense Dependent Schools also serve the 98th ASG.
There are elementary schools in Schweinfurt, Wuerzburg, Bamberg, Kitzingen, Ansbach
and Illesheim; middle schools in Schweinfurt and Wuerzburg; a combined high school
and middle school in Ansbach and Bamberg and high schools in Wuerzburg and Ansbach.
� Medical. Wuerzburg has one of the three hospitals in USAREUR. The 67th
Evacuation Hospital, about five minutes from Leighton Barracks, boasts a new wing
with the latest medical equipment. It offers family practice, an outpatient clinic
and an emergency room for after-hour and weekend emergencies. There are clinics
in Schweinfurt, Bamberg, Illesheim, Ansbach and Kitzingen.
� Dental. Facilities throughout the 98th ASG provide general dentistry
and specialty treatment to authorized patrons. There is also a fully-equipped
mobile dental clinic that visits each BSB and AST on a rotating basis to ease
any backlog of patients.
� Scouting. There are active scouting programs for both boys and girls
in the 98th ASG communities. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts advertise and recruit
members through the schools, libraries, youth activity centers, media and various
other institutions.
� ACS. Each BSB Army Community Service (ACS) center offers various programs
and services for soldiers, civilians and family members. These programs are designed
to meet individual and unit specific needs ranging from parent education classes
through checkbook maintenance classes, relocation information and support, Army
Emergency Relief (AER), volunteer programs and many other community service programs.
Call your local ACS for information and referral to community programs and services.
� American Red Cross, located in each BSB, assists with medical reports,
birth notices, emergency notification of spouses during deployment and verification
for emergency financial assistance.
� Volunteers. They are an integral part of every community, regardless
of size. Many are able to work in their chosen fields and maintain skills or develop
new ones. American Red Cross centers and Army Community Service centers rely heavily
upon volunteers.
� IVC. An installation volunteer coordinator (IVC) in each BSB provides
a clearing house for all volunteer positions and activities. Assistance is offered
to both agencies and individuals in matching work requirements with personal interests
and goals to achieve the best work experience.
� Housing. Offices in every community provide a variety of services including
assignment of government quarters, referral of economy quarters, contract negotiations
and translations and relocation services.
� Youth Services (YS) has an impressive array of activities in the 98th
ASG. Programs available include music, dance, visual arts and theater, sports
programs, student services, community services and various other leisure and recreational
activities.
� Community Counseling Centers provide assistance to service members, family
members and civilian employees in the 98th ASG who have a substance abuse problem.
Professionals offer education and training, workshops, screening and rehabilitative
treatment.
� Transition Assistance. The Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) and
the Job Information Center offer services to help soldiers, civilians and family
members transition to new careers. Updated computerized job banks, interview training,
benefits briefings and other reference materials are available.
>� Education Centers. Full-service centers offer educational counseling,
test scheduling, MOS libraries, classrooms, instructional material, audio-visual
equipment and information on classes available in the area.
� Veterinary Services are offered in the ASG, including animal disease
prevention and control, issuance of health certificates and vaccinations.
� Religious Programs. Unit ministry teams throughout the 98th ASG provide
worship, religious education, counseling, family life centers, weekly youth programs,
retreats and crisis intervention.top
FACILITIES
� Libraries. Community libraries in the 98th ASG offer fiction and nonfiction
books selections, reference materials, travel guides, educational resources, children's
books, magazines and computers with internet access. Some libraries also have
a video library offering a variety of films from which to choose.
� Auto Craft Shops offer assistance to both novice and experienced mechanics
in performing automotive maintenance and repair. Equipment, tools and trained
mechanics make everything from charging a battery to major overhauls possible
at great savings.
� Video. Rental stores located throughout the ASG feature a wide selection
of contemporary and classic video movie releases, as well as a varied selection
of videos for children, educational purposes and travel.
� Franchise Foods. Many of the franchise food restaurants in the ASG, such
as Burger King, Popeye's, Taco Bell and Subway, are new facilities with full product-line
menus, reduced waiting times, spacious interiors and opportunities for family
member employment. Concessionaires and vendors also offer a variety of shopping,
dining and cultural experiences.
� Music and Theater. Entertainment branches in the 98th ASG offer an outlet
for the talents of actors/actresses and technicians. Ansbach's Terrace Playhouse
presents four "main stage" productions a year, plus "extras" such as concerts
and talent contests. Bamberg's Stable Theater produces live plays and musicals.
� Bowling. Modern centers are located in each ASG and offer multiple-lane
facilities, computer scoring, pro shops, snack bars and game rooms.
� Banking. Merchants National Bank has full service banking in every BSB.
Automatic teller machines (ATMs) provide 24-hour service for deposits and withdrawals
from both checking and savings accounts.
� Shopping. As part of the AAFES Europe Strategic Modernization Program,
Wuerzburg (Leighton Barracks) was identified to become a key regional shopping
hub for Eastern Germany to replace the assets from the nearby Nurnberg/Fuerth
closure. In October 1998 a new PX Shopping Mall (the largest in Europe) and a
new 24-hour shoppette with a 14-pump gas station was opened. Another part of this
project was a relocated/expanded Popeye's Restaurant.
A new shoppette, with 24-hour service and six gas pumps, has opened in Bamberg,
where the exchange, on Warner Barracks, has all facilities on one congruent installation.
It is housed in a pre-WW II stable and was recently renovated to expand all categories
of merchandise. There is also a Popeye�s Restaurant in Bamberg.
Small PX facilities are located on both Larson and Harvey in Kitzingen, and the
big Wuerzburg facility is only 20 minutes away. There is also an exchange in Giebelstadt.
The Ansbach commissary was recently renovated. Other commissaries are located
in Schweinfurt, Wuerzburg, Bamberg, Kitzingen, Giebelstadt and Illesheim.
� APOs. Army Post Offices are available in every location in 98th ASG.
Mailing letters or small packages between European APOs is free. Stateside postal
rates apply to all other kinds of mail.
� Tours. Many tours are available through on-post travel agents, recreation
centers, Army Community Service and the United Service Organization (USO). One
especially popular tour is the People Encouraging People (PEP) orientation tour
offered by ACS for newly assigned families and single soldiers. This program teaches
new residents about the community by including local tours and "hands-on" training
in using local transportation. All newcomers to the 98th ASG are encouraged to
participate in PEP.
|
|
|
