Military Bases Near Bavaria: A Comprehensive Guide

The United States Army Garrison Bavaria is a US Army garrison of the United States Army headquartered in Grafenwöhr, Germany. It is the largest US base outside of the United States, hosting 40,000 soldiers and civilians. The garrison has four locations: Grafenwöhr (Tower Barracks), Vilseck (Rose Barracks), Hohenfels (Hohenfels Training Area), and Garmisch (George C. Marshall Center and NATO School). The US Army has been using the area for training since 1947.

US Army Garrison Bavaria Grafenwöhr

The US Army Garrison Bavaria Grafenwöhr is the headquarters for the United States Army Garrison Bavaria, which is the largest US base outside of the United States. It is located in Grafenwöhr, Germany, and was previously known as US Army Garrison Grafenwöhr before it was transformed into US Army Garrison Bavaria in 2013. The garrison has four locations, including Grafenwöhr (Tower Barracks), Vilseck (Rose Barracks), Hohenfels (Hohenfels Training Area), and Garmisch (George C. Marshall Center and NATO School). The Grafenwöhr Training Area (GTA) is the largest NATO training facility in Europe, providing a vast range, simulation centres, classrooms, and facilities for realistic and relevant training for US Army, Joint Service, NATO, and allied units and leaders.

The area around Grafenwöhr and Vilseck has long been recognised as well-suited for military training. The US Army has been using the area for training since 1947. Tower and Rose Barracks command, control, and operate the installations at Grafenwöhr and Vilseck to support and enable the mission and readiness of stationed and rotational units. They also provide care for people and offer the highest-quality training environment for the European theatre of operations. The total population of Tower and Rose Barracks, including service members, retirees, civilian employees, and their family members, is approximately 28,000.

The history of the Grafenwöhr Training Area dates back to 1900 with the activation of the III Royal Bavarian Corps. In 1908, the training area was officially designated as the "Training Area Grafenwöhr". The establishment of the training area led to the resettlement of approximately 250 residents from ten villages, farms, and hamlets between 1907 and 1910. During World War II, the Wehrmacht used the training area for military training and to guard enemy prisoners of war. After the war, the US Army Europe expanded the role of the training area to meet the increased training and facility needs of the troops.

The Hohenfels Training Area (HTA) is named after the town of Hohenfels and was founded by the German Army in 1938. It became a US Forces training area in 1951 and has been used primarily by US Forces. In 1988, the HTA became the home of the Combat Manoeuvre Training Center (CMTC), providing realistic force-on-force combined arms training exercises for the US Army Europe and 7th Army's manoeuvre battalion task forces. The CMTC was transformed and officially named the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in December 2005.

Vilseck (Rose Barracks)

The United States Army Garrison Bavaria is headquartered in Grafenwöhr, Germany, with four locations, including Vilseck (Rose Barracks). Rose Barracks in Vilseck is one of the two subdivisions of the Grafenwöhr Training Area (GTA), which was established following the activation of the III Royal Bavarian Corps in 1900 and officially designated as a training area in 1908. The other subdivision is Tower Barracks in Grafenwöhr.

Rose Barracks in Vilseck has a long history of military use. After the Nazis took power, the Wehrmacht used the training area for military training and to guard enemy prisoners of war. Following World War II, the U.S. Army expanded the role of the training area to meet increased training and facilities needs. A large build-up of Rose Barracks occurred in the mid-1980s, with the construction of facilities to support a brigade-size element. Today, it is home to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

The Vilseck (Rose Barracks) military community offers various services and amenities to its residents and personnel. These include an adult education centre, an army community service, an army emergency relief, a barber shop, and an arts and crafts centre. The total population of Rose Barracks, including service members, retirees, civilian employees, and their family members, numbers approximately 28,000.

The areas around Vilseck and Grafenwöhr are well-suited for military training, and the U.S. Army has been using the region for this purpose since 1947. The Grafenwöhr Training Area is the largest NATO training facility in Europe, providing vast ranges, simulation centres, classrooms, and facilities for realistic and relevant training for U.S. Army, Joint Service, NATO, and allied units and leaders.

Hohenfels Training Area

The United States Army has dozens of military installations in Germany, two of which are scheduled to close. The Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, located in the Upper Palatinate, is one of these installations.

The Grafenwoehr and Vilseck region has long been recognised as an ideal location for military training. The U.S. Army has been using the area for training since 1947. The Tower and Rose Barracks command, control, and operate the installations at Grafenwoehr and Vilseck, supporting the mission and readiness of rotational and stationed units.

Garmisch (George C. Marshall Center)

Garmisch, also known as the George C. Marshall Center, is a military base in Germany, located near the Alps in the southern part of the country. It is one of many American bases run under German law in the central and southern regions. The base was taken over by the US after World War II, and in 1946, the Garmisch Military Post and Garmisch Recreation Center were established, operating a variety of hotels and outdoor sports facilities. The base is named after George C. Marshall, who was killed during World War II and decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic acts.

In 1947, the US Army Russian Institute was established in Garmisch, and in 1953, the NATO School opened its doors in nearby Oberammergau, solidifying the community's role as a hub for military education and US Forces Recreation. The US Army Russian Institute was replaced by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in 1993. The George C. Marshall Center, along with the NATO School, serves as a crucial forum for international military diplomacy, fostering collaboration and cooperation among nations.

The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, which is also part of the base, has become a focal point for armed forces recreation in Europe. The resort offers a range of amenities and outdoor sports facilities, providing a space for relaxation and leisure activities for military personnel. The base is also known for the Oberammergau school, which is famous in the area.

Garmisch is part of the United States Army Garrison Bavaria, which is headquartered in Grafenwöhr, Germany. This garrison is the largest US base outside of the continental United States, accommodating 40,000 soldiers and civilians. The garrison's mission is to offer a "high-quality base operations and community support" to all US personnel in the region. It also directly supports various tenant units, including the 7th Army Training Command, the largest training command outside the US.

Ramstein Air Base

The base plays a crucial role in supporting forward military operations, especially those deploying to Eastern Europe and Africa. It has been utilised as a temporary housing facility, such as for the United States men's national soccer team during the 2006 World Cup, and for Afghan civilians fleeing Afghanistan in 2021 following the fall of Kabul. Ramstein Air Base has also served as a meeting place for international leaders, including in April 2022 when it hosted a gathering of defence agencies from 42 countries to discuss Ukraine's defence and counteraction to Russia.

The base consists of two runways, two large aprons, and several schools, including Ramstein Elementary School, Ramstein Intermediate School, Ramstein American Middle School, and Ramstein High School. The host unit is the 86th Airlift Wing, composed of six groups, 30 squadrons, and four bases in Germany, Spain, the Azores, and Belgium. The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, formerly the 435th Air Base Wing, is also based at Ramstein and provides base-support responsibilities within the KMC.

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