Ansbach Weekly

Free tax filing for the military - MilTax provides free military-specific tax preparation software and expert support to help the military community navigate their taxes accurately and with ease. More...

CIF Closed Feb. 2-16 - The USAG Ansbach Central Issue Facility (CIF) located at Barton Barracks, Bldg. 5264, will be closed to regular appointments and walk-ins February 2-16, 2026, to implement a new platform to manage clothing and individual equipment. PCS-ing or ETS-ing? The CIF can help. More...

European Virtual Career Fair Feb. 17 – Intent is to support all Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP) sites across Europe. This event will serve as a centralized hiring opportunity for transitioning service members, spouses, and military-friendly employers with hiring needs across the European region. More…

COLA Living Pattern Survey (LPS) - The Living Pattern Survey is available now through March 30. Who should participate? Service members (or spouses) assigned to a permanent duty station and have been residing at the duty station for at least two months. Survey...

OHA Survey - Service members stationed in Germany for 6+ months, renting private housing, and paying utilities separately: your input is needed! Report your utility expenses—electricity, gas, water, trash, heating, and more—through the annual OHA survey to help determine future allowance rates. Survey takes 30 minutes. Deadline: March 31, 2026. More...

Weekly IMCOM Sampler - Here’s what’s happening at U.S. Army Garrisons around the world. More…

Eye on AMC - What’s happening within the U.S. Army Materiel Command—IMCOM’s senior command. More…

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• Feb. 2-3: Red Cross Blood Drive, Katterbach Fitness Center, Mon: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tue: 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. More...
• Feb. 4: USO 85th Birthday Bash, 12-1 p.m., USO on Katterbach. More...
• Feb. 7: JROTC Commander’s Challenge - Can you shoot better than a teenager? More…
• Feb. 7-8: Outdoor Rec trip to the Carnevale in Venice. More...
• Feb. 8-9: Super Bowl viewing party at the Von Steuben
• Feb. 13-16: Outdoor Rec ski/snowboard trip to Dolomites, Italy.
• Feb. 17: European Virtual Career Fair for transitioning service members, spouses, and military-friendly employers. More...
• Feb. 21: Outdoor Rec ki/snowboard trip to Oberstdorf. More...
• Feb. 26: Scenario-Based Training, "In Their Shoes: Teen Dating Violence", 2-4:30 p.m. at Katterbach Youth Center. Register at https://bookacsa.timetap.com.
• Feb. 26-28: Terrace Playhouse theater production of "Mean Girls", 6:30 p.m., Ansbach Middle High School. More...
• March 20-21: Mini Bazaar at the Von Steuben.
• March 20-22: Outdoor Rec trip to Milan, Italy. More...
• March 27-April 3: Outdoor spring break trip to Greece.
• April 4: Outdoor Rec ski and snowboard trip to the Zugspitze. More...
• April 16: 2026 Annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony (VRC), 2 p.m. Sadowski Theater. More...
• May 4-8: USAG Ansbach Spring Clean-Up

MWR CALENDAR | ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE CALENDAR (ACS) | DoDEA CALENDAR

• Feb. 7-8: Europe's biggest Whiskey Fair with 210 different booths and more than 2.800 different kinds of Whiskey from all over the world! Location: NürnbergMesse - Messezentrum. For more information and purchasing tickets click here!
• Feb. 12: English Stand-up Comedy (The American Apology Tour) with Pat Moore at Crazy Nate's, untere Zwingerstrasse 9, Nürnberg. More...
• Feb. 14: Rothenburg's Valentines Day Event at the Castle garden with live music, food and beverages, different light shows, perfect for couples, friends and families. Start 4p.m. - 9 p.m.. More...
• Feb 26: English Stand-up Comedy with Zana Fejzic at Crazy Nate's, Kirchenweg 38, Nürnberg. More...
• Feb. 28: Champagne Mood - A lighthearted cabaret concert at Karlsplatz Cultural Center, Ansbach. Start 7 p.m..
• Mar 17: Charity Concert conducted by Veitshöchheim Army Band at the Kur- und Kongress-Center Bad Windsheim. Tickets available at the Book Store Dorn (Kegetstr 2, Bad Windsheim) or at the event location on the day of. More...
• Apr. 25-26: Rothenburg's Spring Festival in the Old Quarter. More...
• May 8 - 17: Ansbach Spring Fest at Gustav-Weißkopf-Str., Ansbach
• May 24: English Stand-up Comedy with Malinda Perera at Crazy Nates Wöhrder Wiese, Untere Zwingerstrasse 9, Nürnberg. More...
• May 22-25: Historic Festval Play "Master Draught" in Rothenburg. More...
• Jun. 3-7: Altstadtfest "Old Town Fest" Ansbach, downtown Ansbach
• Jun. 26 - Jul. 1: Summer Fair and Beer Festival in Rothenburg. More...
• Jul. 9 - 12: Auf der Ziegenwiese " On the goat meadow" Music and Cultural Event in Ansbach. More...
• Jul. 10 & 18: Music Concerts: American Music Abroad. More...
• Jul. 25-26: Wine Fest Rothenburg. More...
• Aug. 12-16: Wine Village Rothenburg. More...
• Sept. 4-6: Imperial City Festival Rothenburg. More...
• Oct. 31 - Nov. 8: Autumn Fair with trade show in Rothenburg. More...

Carnival Season - "Fifth Season" in Germany

Carnival Season (Fasching) officially starts on Nov. 11 at 11:11 a.m.. The main carnival days start on Weiberfastnacht and last until Faschingsdienstag - right before Lent begins. Depending on the region, it's called Karneval or Fasching, the cities celebrate this with colorful floats, which are also satirical and mocking politicians and world events throwing candies and other fun stuff for children in costumes.

• Feb. 8: Carnival Parade "Faschingsumzug" Wolframs-Eschenbach Old Town
• Feb. 12: Women's Carnival with Chicolores at Kammerspiele Ansbach. More...
• Feb. 14: Carnival Parade Heilsbronn. Start 2:14 pm.
• Feb. 15: Carnival Parade Nürnberg
• Feb. 15: Carnival Parade Mitteleschenbach. Start 2 pm.
• Feb 15: Carnival Parade Ornbau. Start 1 pm.
• Feb 15: Carnival Parade Emskirchen. Start 1:30 pm.
• Feb 15: Carnival Parade Markt Bibart: Start 2 pm.
• Feb. 17: Carnival Parade Herrieden
• Feb. 17: Carnival Parade with children Wassertrüdingen. More...

For more Faschingsparaden within the Ansbach County, click here!

For more Faschingsparaden within the Bad Windsheim County, click here!

Germany Issues Formal Travel Advisory For US

Germany has issued a travel advisory to its citizens travelling to the United States, citing risks linked to immigration enforcement and public-order situations. Germany’s Federal Foreign Office said on Tuesday that German citizens should be aware of demonstrations and clashes with American migration and security authorities. The advisory is not a political statement about the U.S. but aims to give impartial information for German citizens travelling to the country at a time of increased tensions during President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation drive. (Newsweek, Jan. 28, 2026)

EU heavyweights deepen rift with Rutte over Europe’s military power

EU leaders are urging Europe to take far greater responsibility for its own defense, arguing that shifting U.S. priorities signal a lasting change in transatlantic relations and a more dangerous global security environment. European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for stronger European military capabilities within NATO, more coordinated defense spending, and reforms to EU decision-making to prevent single-country vetoes from blocking action. They stressed the need to boost Europe’s defense industry, reduce reliance on U.S. military support and weapons, and deepen partnerships with other like-minded countries. Their stance contrasts with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s insistence that Europe still cannot defend itself without the United States, highlighting a growing debate over how autonomous Europe’s security posture should become. (Politico, January 28, 2026)

Military training area transformed Grafenwöhr into an international town – and one could even say: Elvis still lives here.

Grafenwöhr, a small Upper Palatinate town with medieval roots, was transformed in 1910 by the creation of a major military training area that has shaped its economy, identity, and culture ever since. What began as a quiet farming community quickly grew alongside the garrison, gaining infrastructure, industry, and waves of new residents driven by global conflicts—from POW camps in World War I to U.S. Army control after 1945 and continued multinational training missions today. Despite being physically separated by a fence, the town and training area developed a deeply intertwined, multicultural character, marked by German-American friendships, marriages, shared festivals, and even Elvis Presley’s legendary 1958 visit. Locals describe Grafenwöhr as unusually cosmopolitan for its size, where foreign cultures feel normal, English is widely spoken, and the long U.S. presence has evolved from wartime occupation into close partnership, making the town a living example of how military history reshaped a community while fostering enduring international ties. (Nuernberger Nachrichten, January 26, 2026)

German Armed Forces to Acquire Combat Drones

Two German Startups Set to Benefit - A decision on the acquisition of combat drones for the German Armed Forces could be made as early as February. Two young defense companies are slated to receive contracts worth €300 million – but a well-known corporation will apparently miss out. After years of debate, the German Armed Forces are on the verge of acquiring combat drones. The Bundestag's Budget Committee is expected to decide on the purchase of such armed drones for the German Armed Forces as early as February, Andreas Schwarz, the SPD parliamentary group's defense expert, told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND; Tuesday editions). (Welt, January 26, 2026)

Drunken US soldier wanders into nursing home

A bizarre incident occurred at a nursing home in Grafenwöhr: On Sunday morning, a staff member found an American soldier in an unoccupied room, heavily intoxicated and only partially clothed. He has no recollection of how he got there. (br24, January 26, 2026)

Following the debate with the US, the EU wants to increase its presence in the Arctic

Following a lengthy meeting in Brussels, European leaders expressed relief and unity after facing recent threats from US President Donald Trump. During the summit, Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed the importance of NATO, while Council President António Costa stressed the need for respectful relations and upheld the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland. Costa also conveyed "serious doubts" from the Council regarding Trump's proposed "Board of Peace," citing concerns about its structure and compatibility with the United Nations Charter. Additionally, the leaders discussed the stalled Mercosur agreement, with a general interest in its implementation, and scheduled a future "strategic brainstorming session" to be held in three weeks. (Tagesschau, January 23, 2026)

Starlink "Made in Germany": German Armed Forces Aim to Become a Satellite Superpower

The German Armed Forces are planning a massive expansion of their space capabilities. Why Germany could soon be a leading player in reconnaissance and communications. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius intends to invest around 35 billion euros in military space projects by 2030. This brings into focus an area that has so far received little public attention: the German Armed Forces' cyber and information domain – CIR for short. In the future, this branch of the armed forces will design and control satellites and analyze data that is crucial for modern warfare. (focus.de, January 22, 2026)

Those who park too long must pay for towing

Anyone who buys a parking ticket must move their vehicle after the allotted parking time has expired. Otherwise, the parking lot owner is entitled to have the car towed and bill the driver for the costs. (Tagesschau, January 21, 2026)

Majority would support ousting American forces from UK if US seizes Greenland, poll finds

A new poll on how the U.K. should respond to an American military takeover of Greenland was released just a day before President Donald Trump ruled out seizing the semiautonomous Danish island by force. More than half of the nearly 4,950 British adults surveyed Tuesday by YouGov said they would support the removal of American forces from all U.K. bases in the event of an American seizure of Greenland. Among those supporting that course of action, 35% said they would strongly support expulsion, while 20% said they would somewhat support the move. Less than a quarter of those polled, 22%, opposed the move to some degree, while 23% said they were undecided. (Stars and Stripes, January 21, 2026)

Greenland dispute defused – unless Trump reverses course

First a contradictory speech by Trump in Davos, then an evening meeting with NATO chief Rutte. A "framework agreement" on Greenland is now reportedly in sight, and new tariffs are off the table for now. Crisis over? An analysis. (br24.de, January 22, 2026)

Pentagon wants a ‘refocus,’ but Stripes hasn’t wavered from its true mission

Stars and Stripes, the legendary newspaper for the U.S. military community, is in peril of losing its editorial independence and becoming nothing more than a public relations arm of the Pentagon. Contact Stripes Ombudsman Jacqueline Smith at ombudsman@stripes.com. (Stars and Stripes, January 20, 2026)

Defense Department to overhaul military newspaper Stars and Stripes

The paper, which traces its roots back to the Civil War, receives some funding from the Pentagon and its staff is Defense Department employees. The Department of Defense on Thursday announced it would overhaul the military newspaper Stars and Stripes, including no longer circulating reporting from wire services like The Associated Press. In a statement posted on social media, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department is bringing the newspaper “into the 21st century.” “The Department of War is returning Stars & Stripes to its original mission: reporting for our warfighters,” Parnell said. “We will modernize its operations, refocus its content away from woke distractions that syphon morale, and adapt it to serve a new generation of service members.” (politico.com, January 15, 2026)

What are the US military police allowed to do?

Armed US military police are permitted to patrol public areas in Germany, such as train stations and festivals, to maintain discipline among US personnel as authorized by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement. Their authority is strictly limited to members of the US armed forces, their civilian components, and dependents; they cannot police German or other citizens. The only exception is in urgent, life-threatening situations, where they can intervene regardless of nationality but must immediately hand the situation over to German police. While they are allowed to carry weapons, their use is restricted to the rules of German self-defense law. (Nuernberger Nachrichten, January 17, 2026)

Thomas Deffner useS New Year's reception to look back on the past year and preview upcoming projects

At the City of Ansbach's New Year's reception, Mayor Thomas Deffner delivered a statesmanlike address reviewing the past year's accomplishments and previewing future initiatives. In his speech, he praised volunteer emergency responders and city employees, and highlighted major successes, including a compromise that secured high-level hospital care, efforts to combat the regional doctor shortage, and the city's achievement in providing childcare for all eligible children without a waiting list. Deffner also emphasized his commitment to creating affordable housing through new developments and outlined upcoming investments in schools and road infrastructure, all while calling for citizens to vote in the upcoming local elections. (Fraenkische Landeszeitung, January 17, 2026)

Katterbach/Untereichenbach | Interim solution allows partial reopening

Good news for drivers on the local road between Ansbach-Untereichenbach and Katterbach: Starting this coming Friday (December 19), the road will reopen to traffic coming from Untereichenbach. This was announced by the city of Ansbach. The road will remain closed to traffic coming from Katterbach until further notice. Buses and agricultural vehicles can continue to travel in both directions. A speed limit of 30 km/h applies on the local road. (radio 8, December 17, 2025)

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