Ansbach Weekly

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.

• Oct. 2: Mystery Dinner Theater, Von Steuben Community Center, 6:30-9 p.m. More...
• Oct. 3: Mystery Dinner Theater, Von Steuben Community Center, 6:30-9 p.m. More...
• Oct. 5-6: Carlie and the Chocolate Factory auditions, Terrace Playhouse, 6 p.m. More...
• Oct. 8: UMGC New Student Orientation at Katterbach the Ed Center, 12-12:45 p.m. More...
• Oct. 8-12: Vienna & Budapest trip with Outdoor Recreation. More...
• Oct. 15: Six the Musical, Sadowski Theater, 7:30 p.m. More...
• Oct. 16: Six the Musical, Sadowski Theater, 7:30 p.m. More...
• Oct. 17: Six the Musical, Sadowski Theater, 7:30 p.m. More...
• Oct. 22: U.S. Military Academy recruiting event at the Katterbach DFAC, 12 - 1 p.m. More...
• Oct. 22: Trick Or Treat Stroll, 10-11 a.m. More...
• Oct. 23-25: Express trip to Lyon, France, with Outdoor Recreation.
• Oct. 25: 500/1000 Pound Club Event, 12-1 p.m. More...
• Oct. 27: Career Summit for transitioning Soldiers at Rose Barracks, Vilseck. More...
• Oct. 27: Ansbach Hospital Maternity Tour with ACS, 1-3 p.m. More...
• Oct. 29: Boo Bash at Hanger 2 on Katterbach Kaserne, 5-9 p.m.
• Oct. 31: Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sadowski Movie Theater, 10:30 p.m. More...
• Nov. 4: Bulk trash pickup at Katterbach, Urlas and Bleidorn housing areas, 7 a.m. More...
• Nov. 5: Employment & Job Fair, Von Steuben Community Center, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. More...
• Nov. 20-22: USAG Ansbach Holiday Bazaar.
• Nov. 26-29: Thanksgiving Ski/Snowbard Trip with Outdoor Recreation.

MWR CALENDAR | ACS CALENDAR | DoWEA SCHOOLS CALENDAR | USO EVENTS

• Sept. 18 - Oct. 4: Old Town Fest in Nürnberg. More...
• Sept. 19 - Oct. 4: Octoberfest in Munich. More...
• Every weekend, starting Sept. 19 until Nov. 1: Pumpkin exhibition at Castle Kaltenberg featuring incredible pumpkin sculptures and activities for all ages! For more information and to purchase tickets, click here!
• Oct. 2.-5: Kirchweih in Obernzenn.
• Oct. 3-14: Michaelis Kichweih in Fürth. It is held in the streets of Fürth's city centre, also the name "Straßenkirchweih" (street fair). Unusual: there are no tents! In addition to different amusement rides, bar and snack stands, traders and market criers also offer their wares. The Kärwa is recognised on the Bavarian Cultural Heritage List and in the Federal Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. More...
• Oct. 6: German Classes with the city of Ansbach's Volkshochschule . If you are interested in learning German, take a look at the flyer here !
• Oct. 8-12: Heilsbronn Kirchweih
• Oct. 22-25: Illesheim Kirchweih
• Oct. 31 - Nov. 8: Autumn Fair with trade show in Rothenburg. More...

Sommerhausen Celebrates Pastorius’s Birthday

September 26 marked the 375th anniversary of the birth of Franz Daniel Pastorius, the famous US emigrant from Sommerhausen. The market town celebrated the occasion with events including a benefit concert by the Veitshöchheim Army Band and a festive parade. The day was defined above all by a sense of connection. Brigadier General André Abed, the garrison commander in Veitshöchheim, emphasized how extraordinary it was to be able to welcome U.S. forces to this celebration, given the current state of global politics. "It is our responsibility to continue this partnership," said Colonel Michael D. Cookey, commander of U.S. forces in Ansbach. He noted that, regardless of high-level politics, it is local connections that hold global significance. Cookey hails from the area near Germantown, which was founded by Pastorius. (Mainpost, September 28, 2026)

US Army Conducts Readiness Drill in Wiesbaden

NATO is testing the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim to accelerate how allied forces build a shared operational picture and respond to threats, using artificial intelligence to consolidate and analyze data from drones, sensors, radars, cameras, and other systems within seconds. The multinational preliminary exercise, led in part by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, examines both technical interoperability and coordination among headquarters in a simulated attack on NATO’s eastern flank, incorporating lessons from Ukraine on rapid drone-enabled reconnaissance and response. Its findings will inform the larger Avenger Triad 26 exercise, scheduled for October 6–15, involving roughly 4,000 personnel from the United States and NATO allies. (Hessenschau, September 29, 2026)

65 Years of German-American Friendship: Anniversary Celebrations in Bay City

Bay City, Michigan, and Ansbach, Germany, marked the 65th anniversary of their sister-city partnership with a ceremony in Wenonah Park, where Ansbach Deputy Mayor Kathrin Pollack and Bay City leaders renewed the agreement. The celebration included a video on the cities’ shared history, the unveiling of an Ansbach-themed waterfront mural created by Bay City students in collaboration with an Ansbach artist, and a student exchange involving 13 Ansbach students and several participating schools in both cities. The exchange promotes cultural understanding, language development, and lasting international relationships. (Fraenkische Landeszeitung, September 30, 2026)

On Bundeswehr rearmament: Pentagon praises Germany before US Congress

The US Department of Defense has explicitly acknowledged Germany's efforts to increase defense spending in testimony before the US Congress. NATO allies such as Germany have taken credible steps to meet the pledges made at the alliance's summit in The Hague—well ahead of the 2035 deadline—according to a statement by Elbridge Colby, a Pentagon official, to the US Senate Armed Services Committee. Spurred by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and at the urging of US President Donald Trump, NATO agreed last year at the summit in The Hague to invest at least 3.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) in defense in the future. An additional 1.5 percent is to be allocated for defense-related expenditures, such as infrastructure. In total, this means that—starting no later than 2035—five percent of GDP is to be invested annually in defense and security, a level not seen since the Cold War. Germany aims to reach this five-percent target by 2029. (Tagesspiegel, September 29, 2026)

US era in Kitzingen still stirs emotions

Kitzingen’s U.S. Army era is widely remembered as a vibrant, American-influenced period marked by busy nightlife, international music, jobs, friendships, and relationships that connected many local residents to the United States. Although some residents recall the hardship caused by the Army’s departure, the dominant memory is of an energetic, generally peaceful community once nicknamed “Little Las Vegas on the Main River.” (Mainpost, September 29, 2026)

Military investment planned for Bremerhaven port and Bremen airport

Federal funds are to be used to upgrade Bremen Airport and the port of Bremerhaven for military use. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) is expected to arrive in the Hanseatic city at midday. According to the German Press Agency (dpa), he is set to sign a letter of intent regarding a project named "Deployment Hub 2031." The project entails investments totaling 1.35 billion euros, according to the dpa. These funds are intended to enable the airport and the port to meet the requirements of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) and NATO. The state of Bremen is contributing approximately 200 million euros toward the costs. "Deployment Hub" refers to a logistical center for military deployments. (Norddeutscher Rundfunk, September 28, 2026)

US and Poland near deal for American base with 10,000 troops

The Polish foreign minister announced the effort Thursday, despite a previous Trump administration threat to pull troops from the country. U.S. and Polish officials are working to set up an American base in Poland that would house 10,000 troops, a significant shift in deployments across Europe and a direct warning to Russia. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced the effort Thursday, which comes as the Pentagon undergoes a review of U.S. service members abroad and months after the Trump administration threatened to yank troops out of the country. (Politico, September 24, 2026)

Military jet crashes at US Air Base Spangdahlem

US Air Base Spangdahlem officially confirmed the crash of a fighter jet on Tuesday afternoon. According to a press release, an F-16 Fighting Falcon belonging to the 52nd Fighter Wing crashed at or near the Spangdahlem airfield around 2:30 PM. The pilot was able to eject and is receiving medical care. Emergency responders were on the scene. The cause of the crash is under investigation, and further information is to be released as it becomes available. The aircraft was completely destroyed in the crash; burnt wreckage lies scattered across the site. Fire and disaster protection units from the Eifelkreis Bitburg-Prüm district also assisted in firefighting operations. (Tagesschau, September 22, 2026)

Helicopter Exercise: Teamwork Between St. Anna Hospital and U.S. Army a Success

St. Anna Hospital in Sulzbach-Rosenberg participated in a U.S. Army Vilseck Health Clinic mass-casualty exercise, receiving five simulated disaster victims—three by ambulance and two delivered by a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Hospital emergency teams rapidly treated the critically injured role-players in prepared trauma bays while U.S. personnel observed the handoff and care procedures. Both organizations praised the coordination, professionalism, and language-ready staff, reflecting St. Anna’s established role as an authorized treatment facility for U.S. personnel using TRICARE after initial care at the Vilseck clinic. (onetz.de, September 22, 2026)

Ansbach and U.S. Army sign Mutual Aid Agreement

The US Army Garrison Ansbach and the City of Ansbach have signed an agreement for mutual assistance in the event of fires, accidents, or disasters. The partners chose the memorial ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Islamist terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as the occasion for the signing. City Fire Chief Steffen Beck and Stefan Grötschel, the commander of the US fire department, have been well-coordinated partners for many years. Personnel from Ansbach Fire & Emergency Services are a welcome source of support during major incidents—such as the large fire on Karlstraße in 2010, when the Americans' large turntable ladder was deployed. However, the US Army sought to deepen the partnership and initiated this mutual aid agreement. (Fraenkische Landeszeitung, September 12, 2026)

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