Ansbach Weekly

USPS Price Increase: Effective July 12, 2026, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will have a price increase on First-Class Mail/Forever stamps. Stamps for letters cost 78 cents but now cost 82 cents. More...

U.S. Army Health Clinic Ansbach Update: Dr. Jerardi and Dr. Klin are no longer with U.S. Army Health Clinic Ansbach. Due to these unforeseen departures, all patients and family members previously assigned to them have now been reassigned to LTC Lee as their Primary Care Manager (PCM). To help maintain access to care during this transition, the clinic will have visiting providers supporting the clinic until we are fully staffed again. More...

France imposes nicotine ban - France has criminalized the possession, importation, and use of non-medically approved nicotine pouches (such as Zyn and Velo). Personnel traveling through or operating in France must ensure they do not carry or use these products to avoid severe legal consequences. 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…

Calendar and menu updates from around the garrison.

• July 8: Daddy Matter, ACS Classroom , 12 - 1 p.m. More...
• July 9: Biergarten at the Von Steuben. More...
• July 9: Hunting Course Information Meeting, Von Steuben, 6 p.m.
• July 9-12: Fishing Course at Outdoor Recreation. More...
• July 10: USAG Ansbach Change of Command, Von Steuben, 10 a.m.
• July 11: Skydiving with Outdoor Recreation. More...
• July 12: BOSS Barracks Breakout, 5 - 6 p.m. Call 0611-143-587-2165, 587-2165. More...
• July 14: Creating your Own Financial Plan, ACS Conference Room, 10 - 11:30 a.m. More...
• July 15: AFN radio airs live from USAG Ansbach. 2-6 p.m. More...
• July 16: Leadership & Lattes, Von Steuben, 9 - 11 a.m. More...
• July 16: Biergarten at the Von Steuben. More...
• July 18: Prague Day Trip with Outdoor Recreation. More...
• July 19: BOSS Commissary Day, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Call 0611-143-587-2165, 587-2165. More...
• July 19: BOSS Barracks Breakout, 5 - 6 p.m. Call 0611-143-587-2165, 587-2165. More...
• July 21: Financial Planning for Unexpected Events, ACS Conference Room, 10 a.m. More...
• July 22: Volunteer Orientation & VMIS Training. More...
• July 22: Unaccompanied Housing (UPH) Town Hall, Sadowski Theater, 1:30 p.m.
• July 23: Biergarten at the Von Steuben. More...
• July 28: Ansbach Hospital Maternity Tour with ACS. More...
• July 30: Biergarten at the Von Steuben. More...
• Aug. 1: Berlin Trip with Outdoor Recreation. More...
• Aug. 3-7: Ansbach Clinic's School/CYS Physical Rodeo. Get your child's school/sports physicals. More...
• Aug. 11: Back to School Block Party, 4-7 p.m. Katterbach Youth Center
• Aug. 15: Skydiving with Outdoor Recreation. More...
• Aug. 25: Ansbach Hospital Maternity Tour with ACS. More...
• Aug. 29: Paddle the Main River with Outdoor Recreation. More...
• Sept. 3-6: Paris & Normandy trip with Outdoor rec. More...

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

• Jul 8: The Ambassadors of Music. Bands and Choirs 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 17: The Ambassadors of Music. Bands and Choirs in Rothenburg. More...
• Jul. 17-18: Heilsbronn City Fest. More...
• Jul 20: The Ambassadors of Music. Bands and Choirs in Rothenburg. More...
• Jul 23: The Ambassadors of Music. Bands and Choirs in Rothenburg. More...
• Jul. 25-26: Wine Fest Rothenburg. More...
• Aug. 8-17: Der Drachenstich Medieval Fest, Furth im Wald. More...
• Aug. 12-16: Wine Village Rothenburg. More...
• Aug. 13-16: Wine Fest Ansbach. More...
• Sept. 4-6: Imperial City Festival Rothenburg. More...
• Sept. 26: Green Night Ansbach. Ansbach's landmarks shine in green light, and numerous buildings open their doors to culture enthusiasts. The special ambiance is further enhanced by "green" activities and performances by "green" characters, transforming the balmy late summer evening into a spectacular event. Live music of various genres on different stages throughout the old town + a late-night shopping event also takes place concurrently. More...
• Oct. 31 - Nov. 8: Autumn Fair with trade show in Rothenburg. More...

U.S. Army is celebrating 250 year anniversary

VIDEO: For the USA's 250th Independence Day, the "Freedom Fest" in Katterbach (Ansbach district) remained largely reserved for the military community. Security is a huge issue, including here in Katterbach in Middle Franconia. Only those who work here at the US Army base are allowed in – and of course their family members. The big Freedom Fest, at which the USA celebrates its independence 250 years ago, had been planned for 10,000 people.(BR TV, July 7, 2026)

Europe has replaced most US cuts within NATO, top commander says

European NATO allies have mostly replaced the assets that the U.S. has cut from its rescue plans in case of a war in Europe, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe Sir John Stringer said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Stringer made the assurance to ahead of the alliance’s summit in Ankara next week, at which allies will try to smooth over recent announcements by the U.S. signaling that it is pivoting away from the continent. (Stars and Stripes, July 4, 2026)

Fireworks for the 250th US Birthday at USAG Ansbach

On Saturday, the US garrison celebrated the 250th birthday of the United States of America with a public festival at the Katterbach barracks. Around 3,000 people attended "Freedom Fest." The highlight was a fireworks display around 10 p.m. (Fraenkische Landeszeitung, July 6, 2026)

Controversial plan halted shortly before NATO meeting

Pete Hegseth apparently planned to announce further reductions in US troops in Europe during a visit to Brussels in June. This was reported by the *Wall Street Journal*. According to the report, Hegseth intended to withdraw significantly more US troops than previously disclosed. However, this did not happen. According to the report, the plan was halted after Hegseth presented it to Marco Rubio and other high-ranking government officials. Ultimately, the US Secretary of Defense announced only a review of the American troop presence in Europe, lasting up to six months. (Focus, July 6, 2026)

US General Donahue Steps Down: NATO "Stronger Than Ever"

General Christopher Donahue, Commander of US Army Europe and Africa, is stepping down after just 18 months. US forces announced prior to the ceremony—scheduled for Thursday—that he would hand over command in Wiesbaden to his deputy, Christopher R. Norrie. Donahue (56)—highly respected and the last US soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021—is seen as the latest example of a high-ranking military official ousted by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, sometimes without explanation. (Main Echo, July 2, 2026)

Germany wants to make US weapons on home turf

Germany wants to expand defense-industrial cooperation with the United States, including by building U.S. weapons systems or components under license in Germany, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Wednesday. Asked whether producing American weapons in Germany would undermine Europe’s goal to become less dependent on Washington, Pistorius pushed back. (politico.eu, July 1, 2026)

Army investigates source of toxic chemicals found in fish at major training hub in southern Germany

U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria suspended fishing in five lakes and streams in the Grafenwoehr Training Area earlier this month after elevated levels of PFAS were discovered in the samples. Anglers were advised not to consume any fish caught in the affected bodies of water: Little Mike Lake, Rod and Gun Lakes 1 and 2, Thumbach Stream and Schaumbach Stream. (Stars and Stripes, June 25, 2026)

Army honors soldiers lost in Morocco, reveals officer died trying to save teammate

An Army officer who died during training in Morocco was posthumously awarded the service’s highest decoration for noncombat heroism in recognition of his efforts to save a fellow soldier who had fallen into the ocean. First Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. received the Soldier’s Medal during a memorial ceremony in Bavaria on Monday, after which new details about the circumstances surrounding his death were made public. Also honored was Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, the soldier Key attempted to save, who was posthumously awarded an Army Commendation Medal. (Stars and Stripes, June 30, 2026)

US soldier had a prior history of misconduct

Ansbach – A fatal traffic accident from January 2025 remains a topic of discussion many months later. While the relatives continue to seek answers, the Ansbach Public Prosecutor's Office considers the case definitively closed. The driver—a 19-year-old US soldier stationed in Katterbach at the time—was driving back from a night shift along Federal Highway 14 near the Ansbach district of Obereichenbach. He veered off the road onto a pedestrian and bicycle path, where he struck and killed a 33-year-old woman with his car. (Fraenkische Landeszeitung, July 1, 2026)

Number of applications to Bundeswehr on significant rise

The Ministry of Defence announced that, as of 2026, around 38,500 applications (up 24 percent compared to the same period last year) and approximately 11,000 recruitments (up 13 percent) across all career paths had been recorded so far. The legislation establishing the new military service came into force on January 1. With this move, Germany is responding to the threat posed by Russia and the resulting shift in NATO objectives. The active-duty force—recently numbering over 180,000 men and women—is set to expand by 80,000, reaching a total of 260,000 soldiers. Additionally, the aim is to have a reserve force of 200,000 personnel. Pay has also been increased, and new service-duration models have been introduced. (Nuernberger Nachrichten, June 26, 2026)

Train service between Ansbach-Nuremberg returns to normal July 8

Regular train service on the S4 line between Ansbach and Nuremberg returns to normal July 8. Service on the line between Ansbach and Nuremberg has been severely restricted April 2026. Specifically, the railway is stabilizing a slope on the Nuremberg-Ansbach line in the section between Roßtal and Raitersaich. Since the work began, one track has been closed to train traffic on an alternating basis. Consequently, DB has significantly reduced the frequency of S-Bahn line 4 services for the duration of the construction. Trains are now mostly running once an hour instead of every 20 minutes. Furthermore, a number of S-Bahn trains are not stopping at Roßtal, Raitersaich, or Heilsbronn. The current train status is available at https://int.bahn.de/en or in the DB Navigator app.

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