DOD announces return of sites to host nations in Europe

By U.S. Army Europe Public AffairsMay 23, 2014

The Department of Defense announced today that it will fully return 21 sites to their host nations in Europe. This return is part of U.S. European Command's continued effort to remove non-enduring sites from its real-property inventory, and focus more resources on other U.S. European Command mission requirements. These minor, non-operational infrastructure adjustments were vetted under the European Infrastructure Consolidation review. None of these adjustments affects existing force structure or military capabilities.

The following sites are scheduled to be returned to the host nation:

In Germany

Spangdahlem Air Base

•Siegenburg Range, Bavaria, Germany -- no longer in use nor needed in the future.

U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria

•Frechetsfeld Radio Site, Grafenwoehr, Germany -- no longer required

•Garmisch Golf Course, Garmisch, Germany -- no longer required

•Breitenau Skeet Range, Garmisch, Germany -- no longer required

•General Abrams Hotel and Dispensary, Garmisch, Germany -- no longer required

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden

•Wiesbaden Recreation Center, Wiesbaden, Germany -- no longer required

•Fintherlandstrasse Family Housing, Mainz, Germany -- no longer required

•Weisskirchen AFN Transmitter Facility, Wiesbaden, Germany -- no longer required

•Kastel Housing Area, Mainz-Kastel, Germany (2016) -- no longer required

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz

•Hill 365 Radio Relay Facility -- no longer required

•Heidelberg AFN Relay Facility -- no longer required

•Sambach AFN Facility -- no longer required

•Three Sembach Water Well Sites (Enkenbach Water System Annex #1, Neukirchen Water System Annex #1, Niedermehlingerhof Water System Annex #1) -- no longer required

Giessen General Depot (previously announced for closure)

•The Giessen General Depot will no longer be required once the AAFES Distribution Center relocates

•The move of the AAFES Distribution Center from the Giessen General Depot to Germersheim Army Depot will add this activity to the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz

In Belgium

U.S. Army Garrison BENELUX

•Daumerie Caserne -- facilities consolidation.

In Italy

U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza

•Tirrenia Recreation Site -- no longer required

Navy South Bagnoli-Naples

•Former NATO headquarters facility no longer required due to facilities consolidation

NATO HQ Air Force South, Nisida Island -- Naples

•Provided support services that are no longer required

Port Customs Office, Catania -- Sigonella

•lease not renewed as part of facilities consolidation

In Denmark

Karup Air Base

•Munitions storage and airfield facilities -- no longer needed for mission requirements

In Greece

National Support Element Larissa

•Support services facility -- no longer required due to facilities consolidation

In the United Kingdom

RAF Mildenhall

•Ammunition storage annex-- facilities are not in use and not required

RAF Feltwell

•15 housing units (partial return) -- excess housing requirements

We are fulfilling our obligation to the host governments to return to them property that is no longer necessary for our operations.

USEUCOM's forward presence is one of the United States' most visible indicators of support to our European allies, providing assurance and demonstrating tangible commitment to our collective defense. U.S. dedication to our NATO security responsibilities is beyond doubt; ongoing infrastructure adjustments simply ensure that we are best-positioned to fulfill those responsibilities given changing circumstances.

For further information about these closures, please contact U.S. European Command at +49 (0)711-680-6618, email: eucom.mediaops@gmail.com.

For further information about Army closures, please contact U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs at 011-49 (0)611-705-3080/3056/3050, or email usarmyeurope.contact@mail.mil.

For further information about Air Force closures, please contact USAFE-AFAFRICA/PA Media Operations Division at 011-49-(0)6371-47-6558 or via email usafepao.pao@us.af.mil.

For further information about Navy closures, please contact U.S. Navy Region Europe Africa Southwest Asia Public Affairs at +39 (0)81-568-4727 or via email robert.e.johnson@eu.navy.mil.

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