May 9, 2013

Twenty-four teams struggled along five kilometers of torturous trails while splashing through freezing cold mud pits, lugging logs, and flipping 200 lb. tires.

May 9, 2013

Hohenfels Middle/High School students create a unique 'life space' exhibit for permanent display at the Health Clinic.

May 8, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - I never had an interest in researching my ancestry until I found out what my great, great grandfather did for a living. He was a stonemason, which is not particularly exciting until you consider that five generations later, so is my brother. My brother fell into the profession first by helping a stonemason in our hometown in New Hampshire, and then by picking up jobs of his own. As far as I know, no one in the family has worked in the profession since my great, great grandfather.

May 8, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Dr. Michelle Melicosta, a pediatrician at the Wiesbaden Health Clinic, has started a question-and-answer session each week on American Forces Network Wiesbaden called "Ask the Doctor." During the segment, Melicosta answers medical questions parents have about their children. She has been a practicing pediatrician for 17 years and in Wiesbaden for three years.

May 8, 2013

Out of 43 teams the Schweinfurt High School culinary team placed 26th at the 12th Annual National ProStart Invitational competition held in Baltimore, Md., April 19-21.

May 7, 2013

The entire Bavaria Military Community is asked to take part in this year's spring cleanup.

May 7, 2013

Scandinavia's largest city offers adventure in the far north

May 7, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - A new recycling and re-use center on Clay Kaserne, improved trash collection points in Hainerberg and Aukamm Housing, and regular inspections are aimed at encouraging everyone to properly separate their refuse and save. "Proper separation of waste is extremely important," said Marty Hanson, an environmental specialist with the Directorate of Public Works. "Recycling is the law in Germany."

May 7, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Among the seemingly harmless things around the home from which you're not protecting your child there is likely something that can hurt them. While the home is generally regarded as a safe haven, multiple dangers that are a part of the everyday routine and floor plan exist for toddlers who are just beginning to explore their world.

May 7, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Mentorship was the focus at the initial meeting of the Wiesbaden Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International April 24. Soldiers and civilians from U.S. Army Europe, the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, 5th Signal Command and other local units gathered in the Gen. Shalikashvili Mission Command Center to launch the chapter and hear Brig. Gen. Bruce Crawford, 5th Signal commander, share his nearly three decades of career military experience regarding mentoring and preparing for future challenges.

May 6, 2013

Of the more than 540,000 Americans with boots on the ground at the height of the war, the 58,148 who were killed or missing in action, and the four million in all who served in uniform in Vietnam, there is one who stands out among the rest for Italians. His name is Luigi Albanese, a son of the province of Vicenza and the only Italian-born citizen who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions during that conflict.

May 6, 2013

LUCIUS D. CLAY KASERNE, Wiesbaden, Germany (May 2, 2013) -- 5th Signal Command officially named the Cyber Center Europe building on Clay Kaserne the "Gray Center" in honor of former deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Europe, Lt. Gen. Robert E. Gray. Gray was a distinguished signal officer, leader and mentor who was also the first African-American to become the Chief of Signal and Commanding General of Fort Gordon, Georgia, the headquarters of the Army Signal Regiment.

May 6, 2013

Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe braves obstacles in the Bavarian Alps

May 6, 2013

The command sergeant major of the 9th Engineer Battalion relinquished his responsibilities here, May 3, in a rare ceremony signaling the eventual end to the storied battalion and the looming deactivation of the 172nd Infantry Brigade.

May 3, 2013

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno focused on helping the force understand the Army's ongoing transformation, and spending time with commanders, Soldiers, civilians employees, and their families, during his three-day visit to three U.S. Army garrisons in Europe this week.

May 3, 2013

Two Soldiers and a Department of the Army civilian from U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach provided a brief on the structure of the Army and its rank system to the students of the Sprachenzentrum, who were mostly members of the German military.

May 1, 2013

SEMBACH, Germany -- U.S. Army garrisons across Europe have reserved 40 designated parking spaces for use by Gold Star Families at on-post public facilities.

May 1, 2013

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno visited the Vicenza Military Community in Italy, from April 30 to May 1, 2013, where he toured U.S. Army Africa operational facilities, met Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team "Sky Soldiers," and held a Town Hall meeting open to Soldiers, Army civilians, local national employees, contractors and family members.

Apr 30, 2013

Indulge in a fine tasting of 30 local beers on tap at the Prague Beer Museum Pub

Apr 30, 2013

The centuries-old custom of erecting the Maypole celebrates the seasons and German tradition

Apr 30, 2013

Our futures are in good shape. That's if our kids have anything to do with it.

Apr 30, 2013

As part of a European USO tour, multi-platinum rock band Drowning Pool will play U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach's Storck Barracks May 5 at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m.

Apr 30, 2013

Volunteers at Hohenfels donated nearly 28,000 hours, saving the garrison hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Apr 30, 2013

Roughly 300 HMHS students, faculty, and community members took part in creating a human replica of the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon on the HMHS sports field to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism.

Apr 30, 2013

Hohenfels showcases its local artists at the third annual Celebration of the Arts.

Apr 29, 2013

Baumholder stood up a new data network recently that increases the speed and efficiency of network users in Baumholder. The project upgraded and expanded the voice and data communication systems for the entire installation and brought the Quartermaster and Clinic areas onto the fiber network.

Apr 29, 2013

Building bridges takes time, but crossing one takes just an instant if it's there when you're ready to get to the other side. Fortunately for students at Vicenza High School and the Liceo Scientifico Statale G.B. Quadri, language teachers at both schools have been building bridges of language competence and cultural exchange for more than a decade, so the way was well paved and the doors wide open when more than 30 VHS students came to spend the day at the prestigious state secondary school on the northwest side of town April 18.

Apr 29, 2013

Turning another page in their history books, the 15th Engineer Battalion "cased" its colors April 26, at Gold Field on Conn Barracks in final preparation for its re-stationing from Schweinfurt to Grafenwoehr.

Apr 26, 2013

Lt. Col. Mike Sullivan, U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder commander, recently paid surprise visits to several volunteers in the community to thank them for their service and contributions to the community. Although the visits were part of the garrison's Volunteer Week Appreciation program, Sullivan said he would like to conduct appreciation visits like these on a monthly basis.

Apr 26, 2013

Soldiers from throughout IMCOM-Europe put their warrior skills to the test at Baumholder April 15-18. After four rigorous days of Soldiering, Sgt. Bryan Teneyck and Spc. Jonathan Grates, both assigned to the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux in Brussels, were named as Best Warrior Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year.

Apr 26, 2013

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach held a ceremony in remembrance of the Holocaust April 19 at the Katterbach Theater at Bismarck Kaserne.

Apr 26, 2013

To celebrate Earth Day and raise awareness of school children to several environmental issues, U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach hosted Earth Day April 23 at Franken Kaserne. Fifth-grade students from all USAG Ansbach elementary schools, as well as students from Volksschule Burgbernheim, which serves the communities of Burgbernheim, Gallmersgarten, Illesheim and Marktbergel, attended the event.

Apr 26, 2013

Joint training took place at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, for a group of Italian army soldiers and Carabinieri, who will soon be deploying to Afghanistan.

Apr 25, 2013

The Holocaust Days of Remembrance is an eight-day period of commemoration that coincides with Yom Ha-shoah, Hebrew for Holocaust Remembrance Day, and initiates the eight days leading up to Israeli Independence Day. The Vicenza Military Community gathered on April 18 for a Remembrance ceremony.

Apr 25, 2013

A Female-2-Female social networking event brought single female Soldiers from across the Vicenza Military Community together to the Edelweiss Lodge in Garmisch, Germany, April 3-6 to build resiliency and relationships.

Apr 25, 2013

Forced to leave in 1939, an 84-year-old woman returns to her birthplace within the Hohenfels Training Area.

Apr 25, 2013

Almost 100 children and parents braved April showers on a Saturday morning to visit a Vicenza area organic farm in a combined Month of the Military Child and Army Earth Week event.

Apr 25, 2013

USAG-Vicenza's Soldiers' Theatre took center stage with 28 nominations and 10 awards at the annual IMCOM-Europe Tournament of the Festival of Plays competition held in Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 20. The Soldiers' Theatre production of the musical "The WIZ" swept the musical awards, including the coveted Best Musical award, during the event, known as the Topper awards.

Apr 25, 2013

When Vicenza High School junior Abigail Vallery attended the Future Educators of America European conference for Department of Defense Dependents Schools in January she had no idea she'd be returning home as a president.

Apr 25, 2013

One of the most common requests for assistance received by the Office of the Inspector General is that of nonsupport for family members. Army Regulation (AR) 608-99, Family Support, Child Custody and Paternity, chapters 1-3; and AR 20-1, Inspector General (IG) Activities and Procedures, Paragraph 6-3a; states that nonsupport of family members is a command issue

Apr 24, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Rising host nation energy prices and a steadily growing population have resulted in a more concentrated effort by U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden energy managers to find ways to better use available resources. A new USAG Wiesbaden program is equipping units with the tools to decrease their energy use and ecological footprint, according to Maj. William McGlothlin, operations officer of USAG Wiesbaden's Directorate of Public Works. The focus of the new Green Boot program is changing the culture of units regarding energy consumption and resource management.

Apr 24, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Gary Davidson opened his talk at the Holocaust National Days of Remembrance Observance by relaying an anecdote about a master sergeant who did not know the meaning of the word "swastika." "That really surprised me because being Jewish, from the time that I was a young child, I started learning about the Holocaust, and it made me realize how important it is to educate people about that time," Davidson said during the April 17 event, hosted by 5th Signal Command, at the Taunus Theater.

Apr 24, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Units and agencies were recognized for their outstanding efforts during the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas in a ceremony in the Tony Bass Fitness Center April 12. Garrison leaders Col. David Carstens and Command Sgt. Maj. Sa'eed Mustafa joined Capt. Jennifer Glover, garrison campaign coordinator, in thanking the many Soldiers and civilians who helped raise more than $307,000.

Apr 24, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Sgt. 1st Class Charlene Villa Gomez knows exactly where she is going to take her 2-year-old daughter when the weather gets warm this summer. The city of Mainz has a free water park in the Volkspark in the summer, and Gomez is sure her daughter Tinina will love it. She might never have known about it, however, if not for a program called "Winging Through Wiesbaden" that 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment Chaplain (Capt.) Andrew Shriver started to help single parents.

Apr 24, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Hainerberg Elementary School students love paper. They like crafting creative messages and enjoy recycling it after it has been used. Just ask the members of teacher Carmen Hernandez fourth-grade class and kindergarten teacher Lynn Wheeler's Recycling Club.

Apr 24, 2013

STEM night in Hohenfels shows students of all ages how science, technology, engineering and math work in their everyday lives.

Apr 24, 2013

"It's a pirate's life for me!" HES sixth grade sets sail on a musical adventure.

Apr 24, 2013

The 21st Theater Sustainment Command formally recognized a graduating class of 12 newly trained Lean Six Sigma black belts during a ceremony on Panzer Kaserne, April 18.

Apr 24, 2013

The Theater Logistics Support Center Europe hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of a fuel purging center at the Kaiserslautern Army Depot, April 12.

Apr 22, 2013

BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- Installation Management Command Europe announced the winners of the 2013 Best Warrior Competition in a ceremony here April 19.

Apr 19, 2013

Ticks can carry both Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. Bacteria cause Lyme disease, while tick-borne encephalitis is caused by a virus, both of which live in ticks and can be transmitted when the tick bites a host.

Apr 19, 2013

Moving to a new location can be tough, but learning a bit about the culture and language beforehand can ease the transition.

Apr 19, 2013

Throughout the next 21 months, the Franconia Military Community will need to move mission units and close two garrisons with a population and government housing footprint equal to Fairfax, Va.

Apr 19, 2013

The Black n Blue Rugby team has been a part of Storck Barracks since 1981. Members consist primarily of U.S. Army Soldiers, which, according to Black n Blue teammates, promotes camaraderie.

Apr 19, 2013

National Prescription Drug Take-back Day will be observed locally and nationwide on April 27. Sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the day is specifically set aside to allow an opportunity to empty medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers, purses and pillboxes of unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs, and take them to authorized collection sites in local communities.

Apr 18, 2013

If your time here in Germany is coming to an end, but you feel like you didn't get to see all that you could, I have compiled a 'Bucket List' of 16 places that I think are worth your visit.

Apr 18, 2013

About 14 months ago, the Department of Defense announced a shift in the force posture across U.S. European Command, including the closure of U.S. Army garrisons in Bamberg and Schweinfurt by the end of September 2014. For the Franconia Military Community, that announcement initiated the planning phase of the closure process. Now, FMC has shifted its focus to execution.

Apr 17, 2013

A child diagnosed with autism has overcome his challenges and is now an above average student and is actively involved in extracurricular activities.

Apr 16, 2013

NATO forces, civilians and Soldiers brave the Rugged Terrain Trail for muddy fun

Apr 15, 2013

The annual hallmark event topping off the commemorative month honoring military children happens April 27 beginning at 1 p.m. at Askren Manor at U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt.

Apr 15, 2013

The Defense Travel Management Office has extended the deadline to April 15 to complete an Overseas Housing Allowance Utility and Move-in expense survey because of a lack of participation.

Apr 15, 2013

Freecycle shop offers and accepts reusable items to community members for free

Apr 15, 2013

Earth Day events around post offer green alternatives to caring for Mother Earth.

Apr 15, 2013

The Schweinfurt Army Volunteer Corps expresses its appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers at U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ledward Activity Center.

Apr 15, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Pfc. Nathaniel Barnd had not been inside a boxing ring for four years when someone told him he could be more than a spectator at the 2012 Hispanic History Boxing Tournament - he could box. So he did, and the rest is history.

Apr 12, 2013

Eighteen youths from the Vicenza Military Community traveled to Venice April 6 for a day trip with the School Age Center.

Apr 12, 2013

U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg will celebrate the Month of the Military Child with a variety of events throughout April.

Apr 12, 2013

Vicenza Middle School student Andrew Constable will travel with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools Europe MathCounts team to Washington, D.C. next month for the national competition.

Apr 12, 2013

U.S. Army Europe requires that anyone riding a bicycle on a military installation to wear a helmet and have lights and reflectors on their bike.

Apr 11, 2013

The U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach Safety Office held a bicycle rodeo April 5 at Illesheim Elementary School and will hold their next bicycle rodeo April 12 at Ansbach Elementary School at Katterbach Kaserne.

Apr 10, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Training, transformation and engaged partnerships were among the topics addressed during a media roundtable with U.S. Army Europe leaders at Wiesbaden's Strong Teams Cafe March 25. Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., USAREUR commander, and USAREUR Command Sgt. Maj. David S. Davenport Sr. fielded a host of questions from local U.S. and host nation media about everything from the impact of sequestration on transformation to concerns about flight noise around Wiesbaden's Clay Kaserne.

Apr 10, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - When Staff Sgt. Nikita Wilson got the chance to become a Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention victim advocate last year, she was happy to accept. Her reasons stemmed from a harrowing night in 2008 when she was harassed, threatened and assaulted not once, but twice, and the downward spiral that experience started in her life. Wilson managed to find help and emerged from the ordeal ready to help others. She detailed her story before a crowd of roughly 1,200 people during training at the Wiesbaden Fitness Center April 3.

Apr 10, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Whether in the air or on the ground, the U.S. Air Force simply does it differently. At least that's what members of the 7th Weather Squadron Headquarters demonstrated March 28 as they made the trek from Heidelberg to their new job site in Wiesbaden -- taking turns running the 56 miles to the entrance of Clay Kaserne.

Apr 10, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Venturing out alone with 4-month-old twins is not easy, but new mom Jennifer Tobash considered the Army Community Service Rock-a-Bye Baby Fair a can't-miss event. "It's great the community does this for us, because as a busy mom, I don't have time to go to all these different places one at a time," Tobash said.

Apr 10, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - All Soldiers who reenlist in the U.S. Army vow to obey the orders of the president of the United States, but not many do it feet from the presidential seal on Air Force One. Spc. Kurt Sanson, a Black Hawk mechanic with the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment in Wiesbaden, did exactly that March 20. "It was an awesome experience. It was definitely something I wasn't expecting," he said.

Apr 10, 2013

WIESBADEN, Germany - Women who sought to answer questions of why, how, and where were the inspiration for the day at the Women's History Month event March 29 in Wiesbaden's Tony Bass Fitness Center. Rachel Carson, Sophie Germain and Maria Mitchell were three women topping the list of local educator Dr. Susan Hargis who delivered the keynote speech for the event which had the theme, "Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics."

Apr 8, 2013

High school students from around Europe converge in Vilseck to test robotic prowess

Apr 8, 2013

One community member shares her thoughts on SHARP training at USAG Grafenwoehr

Apr 8, 2013

Students of Ansbach High School put on a short play called "Walls" about the dangers of cyberbullying April 4 at Ansbach Middle/High School for their high school classmates.

Apr 5, 2013

Families of U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach celebrated Easter with an egg hunt at Duggan Gym at Barton Barracks March 30, 2013.

Apr 5, 2013

After 40 years as a cook, Jim Schmidlin retires with the Commander's Award for Civilian Service.

Apr 5, 2013

A Red Cross themed locker decorating contest at HMHS highlights the efforts of "everyday heroes."

Apr 5, 2013

A traditional Irish storyteller puts a fresh spin on ancient tales at Hohenfels Elementary School.

Apr 5, 2013

LANDSTUHL, Germany -- Surviving family members of fallen Soldiers gathered recently at U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern for a luncheon held in their honor by Survivor Outreach Services. The April 4 event, sponsored by the SOS programs in Baumholder, Wiesbaden and Kaiserslautern, was held at the Landstuhl Community Club. About a dozen women and children attended, plus Army leaders from each garrison. "The Army made a covenant to support Soldiers in good time and bad," said Basil Forrest, 49, the SOS coordinator for U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder, who organized the luncheon. "We're here to help their families when the Soldier is deceased."

Apr 4, 2013

"The Franconian News" (or "On the Scene" as it was known before October 2011) has straddled the line between digital and print for years but now has a new face at www.army.mil.

Apr 4, 2013

Linda LaBalle, an indigo and dyeing expert traveled to the Vicenza Middle School to teach the students about dyeing techniques March 25.

Apr 4, 2013

Noreen Riols was selected to work for Winston Churchill's secret Army in 1943 and traveled March 28 to speak to a group of females as a part of Women's History Month.

Apr 3, 2013

Garrison staff use simulation center for training exercise

Apr 3, 2013

SEMBACH, Germany -- "Our Army's very foundations are the values of integrity, honor and service. In focusing on those basics, we reinforce our strength as an Army." That was the message Installation Management Command Europe Region Director Kathleen Marin shared with more than 300 service members and civilian employees during one of many U.S. Army Europe Readiness and Resilience Day activities aimed at combating sexual violence in the military.

Apr 2, 2013

Comprised of two cities with distinctly different flavors, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is youthful and vibrant while still managing to honor its rich history.

Apr 1, 2013

During a March 12, 2013, mass casualty drill, Company C, 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment's UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, known as "Dustoff," airlifted 30 simulated casualties from Landstuhl to Miesau Army Depot, Germany.

Mar 29, 2013

Vicenza Middle School and Youth Services students drove their month-long community service project to its logical end March 5, literally sending the results of their hard work to the dogs.

Mar 29, 2013

A group of Italian middle school students taking English as part of their studies recently "tested" their language abilities with a visit to Vicenza Middle School.

Mar 29, 2013

Why would you learn a foreign language? And how would you improve your language skills if you did? At least four Italian women in the cast of the current Soldiers' Theatre production of The Wiz could tell you plenty.

Mar 29, 2013

Not since the end of World War II has the city of Livorno gone without water for so long. Disruption of water service throughout the city March 12-15 was a consequence of a terrible storm that traversed the area during the night of March 11-12. Lightning struck the Azienda Servizi Ambientali, or ASA, the network control system, making it inoperable.

Mar 29, 2013

The Andrea Palladio Chapter of the Italian Honor Society of Vicenza High School welcomed nine new members to its ranks in a ceremony March 15.

Mar 29, 2013

Sgt. Susan Noga, a broadcaster at Livorno AFN, won second place in the Army's annual Keith L. Ware Public Affairs competition in the deployed television news report individual award category for her story titled "Kiowa Warrior Maintainers."

Mar 29, 2013

One of the most historical, and some say most beautiful, covered markets in Europe is the Livorno Central Market -- Mercato Centrale di Livorno. It is located in a large, 18th-century, art nouveau-style building on Aurelio Scali Saffi right next to the Royal Canal in Livorno. It's a short trip for service members and families stationed at Camp Darby to make for a mindboggling cultural and gastronomic excursion.

Mar 29, 2013

U.S. Army Garrisons Ansbach, Bamberg and Schweinfurt in Germany celebrate Easter March 30 and 31, 2013, by hosting egg hunts for their communities' families.

Mar 29, 2013

To recognize its volunteers for their contributions throughout 2012, the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach American Red Cross held an awards ceremony and dinner at the Orangerie Café here March 22.