Ansbach, United States Army Garrison

The cost of living in Germany is fairly reasonable compared to other countries in western Europe, although Germany's cost of living is more expensive than it's eastern European neighbors and many other parts of the world.

On average you should expect to pay from 20- 25 Euros for lunch in an average bar, café or restaurant or up to 6 euros for a sandwich or bakery snack. A cup of coffee is around 4 Euros.

Special and Critical Installation Information

All personnel assigned to Germany must have in their possession a valid stateside license to be eligible for USAREUR licensing and must have a USAREUR license to operate vehicles.
The electrical current in Europe is 220 volts, 50 cycles compared to 110 volts, 60 cycles in the States. A transformer is a device that converts 110v electrical currents into 220v electrical currents. These devices allow one to use American appliances. You must use caution when using 110 volts, 60 cycles appliances here in Germany. For example, clocks operate at 5/6 the normal speed. This means they lose ten minutes every hour, in other words, they don't work. Most appliances with heating elements (toaster and irons) operate satisfactorily with a transformer. U.S. Microwaves, when operated by transformer, will eventually burn out. You may find it easier to use appliances that will not require a large transformer, such as a coffee maker or hair dryer, and purchase 220 volt appliances in Europe. These items may be sold at the military exchange or the thrift shop for a fraction of their original cost.
The German currency is the Euro. It is recommended that all incoming personnel have some Euros upon arrival for incidental expenses, telephone calls, etc.
Active Duty do not need a Tourist Passport to travel to Germany, however, you will need a Tourist Passport to travel to other countries (once you are here you may get the opportunity to travel to other countries and will wish you had one). If you are a U.S. citizen you can obtain a passport while here, it is easier to obtain one while you are still in CONUS.
The following records should be hand-carried: Orders, school records, soldiers with family members on accompanied assignments-DA form 5888 (EFMP Screening), passports, drivers license, bills, addresses, birth certificates, marriage licenses, secondary access to your bank accounts and items needed to file income taxes. Family members seeking a job need to bring educational documentation.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) -- Screening must be completed before you PCS to Germany.
If your dependents are not command sponsored, you cannot be assigned quarters until you command sponsored.
International dialing from the US is 011 followed by the country code 49 and then the area code (minus the first zero). For example: ACS phone number dialing from Germany is 0611-143-587-2121; dialing from the US is 011-49-611-143-587-2121.
There are several dogs (Bull-Terrier, Stafforsshire-Bullterriers) that come under the “Dangerous Dogs” law and they are not permitted to be brought into country. See “Pets” topic for a detailed discussion of allowable pets.
All child car seats must meet European standards ECE-44/03 or ECE 44/04. Children need a booster or car seat until 12 years of age. If your child is under 12 and shorter than 150 centimeters (about 59 inches), they must be in a car seat or booster seat. If they are under 12 and 150 centimeters or taller, they must use a seat belt, just like all adults. No booster seats are allowed. If they are 12 or older, regardless of height, they must use a seat belt (no boosters). Children under 12 years old may sit in front only if the back seats are occupied by children.

Mission

THE USAG ANSBACH MISSION:

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach integrates and delivers superior infrastructure and services in order to enabale top Quality of Life for our community and readiness for our Forces to support the Theater mission of the U.S. Army Europe-Africa.

THE USAG ANSBACH VISION:

"We are Ansbach" a garrison that captializes on the advantages of our small size and magnifies the cohesiveness or our community to steward the resources we have...and mulitply our impact for 2030 and beyond.

History

Ansbach has been a garrison city since the end of the Second World War and is the governmental capital of Middle Franconia. Stadt Ansbach has hosted military garrisons for hundreds of years. The first military installation, known as Hindenburg Kaserne, was built in 1772. It hosted German Soldiers until the end of World War II when it was occupied by the U.S. Army. It was returned to the German government in the early 1990s and is now home to a Bruecken Center shopping mall. Ansbach is a beautiful city with a rich history. Margrave's Palace, the Orangerie and Park, and the Kasper-Hauser-Memorial are just a few of the many historical sights located here. Ansbach borders the Franconian Heights Nature Park which has extensive forests and open space and is also a point of interest on German Castle Road, which begins in Mannheim in the German west and goes as far east as Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

Population

Today the city of Ansbach has a population of over 50,000 residents.

USAG Ansbach continues its vital mission of streamlining base support operations management, allowing tactical commanders to concentrate on their essential training and missions. The garrison takes pride in its support to more than 4,200 Soldiers and their 2,500 Family members across all the Kasernes that make up the installation.

Location

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach is located in Middle Franconia and is in an area that includes the city of Ansbach and the town of Illesheim.

Within this areas are several different installations: Bismarck Kaserne, Barton Barracks, Bleidorn Kaserne, Franken Kaserne, Katterbach Kaserne, Oberdachstetten Training Area, Shipton Kaserne, Storck Barracks, and Urlas Kaserne.

The city of Ansbach is located in the northern part of Bavaria, approximately 117 miles southeast of Frankfurt and 26 miles southwest of Nuernberg.

Directions

USAG Ansbach is located in northern Bavaria, Germany approximately 40 kilometers (circa 26 miles), southwest of Nuremberg. The garrison is spread across three major U.S. installations among the cities of Ansbach, Katterbach and Illesheim.

Driving from Nuremberg Airport to Katterbach Kaserne

Take the A3 in Erlenstegener Forst from Marienbergstrasse, through to Bierweg, then to Äussere Bayreuther Strasse. Merge on to the A3 via the ramp Regensburg/Amberg/A6/A9/Berlin/München.
Proceed on the A3, then take the A6 (west) for approximately 70 kms.
Exit the A6 at 54-Neuendettelsau driving north for 10 kms
Exit Ansbacher Strasse and take the B-14, direction Heilsbronn 10 kms.
Katterbach Kaserne will appear on your left, off the B-14 direction Ansbach.Time: Approximately 55 minutes.

Time: Approximately 55 minutes.

For GPS coordinates to other USAG Ansbach Kasernes, click here.

Base Transportation

A Military Shuttle Bus is available to transport Service Members between the various Kasernes located throughout the USAG Ansbach Military Community. The Shuttles run Monday through Friday, but are not available on weekends, German, or U.S. Holidays.

You can always contact Ansbach Community Transportation and Motor Pool CIV:09641-70-587-3080/ DSN: 587-3080.

Contact Information

To reach a base operator please call:

Commercial (from off the installation): +49 9641 70 5921140

From a DSN Phone: 314-592-1140 or simply press 0 on the DSN Phone to be connected

For more contact numbers please refer to the Garrison Phone Book

Photos

Cost of Living

Installation Details