| US ARMY TRANSITION GROUP (PROVISIONAL)(NORDBAYERN) |
|
The former United States Army Garrison Franconia was slated to be redesignated in October 2006, since much of its population will have departed. The 1st Infantry Division, formerly located in the area, has relocated to Fort Riley, KS. and its subordinate units have either been disbanded, reflagged or moved to out-of-footprint locations.
The redesignated organization, US Army Transition Group (Provisional)(Nordbayern), will oversee the remaining transformation actions until the spring of 2007, when it too will disband. All facilities and training areas associated with Kitzingen and Giebelstadt were either closed or in the process of closing at press time, in preparation for return to the host nation.
Würzburg's Leighton Barracks and the Hospital were slated to become a sub-garrison of USAG Schweinfurt for day-to-day operational and customer support. Other USAGs in the Transition Group are Ansbach and Bamberg. All are located in the Franconian wine producing region of the state of Bavaria; a pleasant place characterized by rivers winding past countless walled towns with half-timbered homes and cobblestone streets dating back to the Middle Ages. The dry white wine of the area is sold in a uniquely shaped bottle, the bocksbeutel.
USAG ANSBACH ILLESHEIM
Ansbach, the 1,200-year-old capital city of Franconia, is steeped inhistory. It's mentioned in records dating from 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.
The post exchange, theater and community club are located at Bismarck Kaserne and the commissary is at Katterbach Kaserne. The garrison also has a fishing/picnic area, Soldiers Lake, located next to Shipton Kaserne in Ansbach.
Storck Barracks in Illesheim, though somewhat small and isolated, has every life-sustaining facility necessary; commissary, shoppette, bookstore, education center, clubs and tremendous recreational outlets.
USAG BAMBERG
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.
USAG SCHWEINFURT
Schweinfurt, north of Würzburg along the banks of the Main River, is now headquarters of the US Army Transition Group (Provisional)(Nordbayern). Remaining personnel are located at Conn and Ledward Barracks in a city that offers an enchanting array of picturesque buildings, parks, outdoor markets, and recreational facilities. 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. It endured no fewer 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.
SPORTS & RECREATION
Each garrison within the area 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. There is a well-maintained golf course at Bamberg. Unit and community sports programs abound in the garrison. Being situated on a river makes Schweinfurt ideally suited for hobbies like rowing, water skiing, camping and angling.
- Community Centers are located throughout the area 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.
- Outdoor Recreation. The 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 Edelweiss Lodge and Resort 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 area to participate in organized seasonal sports such as football, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, swimming and cheerleading.
- German-American Fests offer Germans and Americans the chance to get together and enjoy food and drink while relaxing in a large fest tent.
FAMILY & SINGLE SOLDIER SUPPORT
There are a number of single personnel initiatives in the area. This program is designed to bring the quality of life of single military members more in line with that of their married counterparts. Billets now afford singles more living space and include amenities such as kitchenettes, fitness equipment, private facilities and government furnishings. Each garrison also has an active Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers (BOSS) program which is administered by and for single personnel to give them a forum to plan activities that meet their needs and interests.
- CYS. Child and Youth Services addresses child care needs for children ages four weeks to 12 years through Child Development Center (CDC), Family Child Care (FCC) Programs, the School Age Services (SAS) Program, Middle School and Teen Programs, and CYS Liaison, Education and Outreach Services (CLEOS).
- DoDDS. Department of Defense Dependent Schools also serve the area. There are elementary schools in Schweinfurt, Würzburg, Bamberg and Ansbach; a combined elementary and middle school in Illesheim; middle schools in Schweinfurt and Würzburg; combined high school and middle schools in Ansbach and Bamberg and high schools in Würzburg and Ansbach.
- Medical. The former Würzburg Hospital has been converted to an oupatient health clinic, and there are other clinics in Schweinfurt, Bamberg, Illesheim and Ansbach. They offer Family Practice, optometry, pediatrics, internal medicine, and outpatient appointments for health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, patient education, and diagnosis of acute and chronic illnesses.
- Dental. Facilities throughout the area provide general dentistry and specialty treatment to authorized patrons. There is also a fully-equipped mobile dental clinic that visits the communities and units on a rotating basis.
- Scouting. There are active scouting programs for both boys and girls in area 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 garrison 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; parent education classes, financial maintenance classes, relocation information and support, mobilization and deployment support, employment services, Army Emergency Relief (AER) and volunteer programs. Call your local ACS for information and referral to community programs and services.
- American Red Cross, located in each garrison, 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.
- AVC. The Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC) in each garrison 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 area. 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 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 area, including animal disease prevention and control, issuance of health certificates and vaccinations.
- Religious Programs. Unit ministry teams throughout the area provide worship, religious education, counseling, family life centers, weekly youth programs, retreats and crisis intervention.
FACILITIES
- Libraries. Community libraries 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. Auto Stripping Yards offer a wide range of inexpensive automotive parts and accessories to keep a privately owned vehicle in tip-top condition.
- Video. Rental stores located throughout the area 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 area, such as Burger King, Popeye's, Taco Bell and Subway, offer full product-line menus, short 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 area 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 garrison and offer multiple-lane facilities, computer scoring, pro shops, snack bars and game rooms.
- Banking. Community Bank (Bank of America) and Andrews Federal Credit Union offer full service banking throughout the area. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) provide 24-hour service for deposits and withdrawals from both checking and savings accounts.
- Shopping. The Würzburg (Leighton Barracks) exchange is a key regional MegaMall, with a 24-hour shoppette and a 14-pump gas station. There is also a 24-hour shoppette, and a six-pump gas station, at Bamberg, where the exchange, on Warner Barracks, has all categories in one congruent installation, a renovated pre-WW II stable. Commissaries are located in Würzburg, Ansbach, Schweinfurt, Bamberg and Illesheim.
- APOs. Army Post Offices are available in every location. 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 SATO, recreation centers, Army Community Service and the United Service Organization (USO). One especially popular tour is the Newcomers Orientation (NOW) 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 are encouraged to participate.
|
