Ansbach Weekly

Re-registration of your vehicle just got easier... U.S. Army Europe and Africa's Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) introduces a new online renewal system, providing personnel with a streamlined process similar to services available in the U.S. More...

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 appointments only beginning Feb. 17 - The USAG Ansbach Central Issue Facility (CIF) located at Barton Barracks, Bldg. 5264, transitions to appointment-only operations beginning Feb. 17, 2026. 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...

Tenant Satisfaction Survey March 2-May 1 — This year's Army Housing Tenant Satisfaction Survey will be open from March 2 — May 1, 2026. The survey will be sent to all residents that live in Army Family Housing (AFH) and Unaccompanied Housing (Barracks). Tenants should be on the lookout for an email invitation from ArmyHousingSurvey@celassociates.com. Please take a few minutes to provide feedback through this year’s Army Housing Tenant Satisfaction Survey. This feedback helps the Army understand the needs of its tenants and make improvements to housing quality, resident services and community amenities.

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. 17: European Virtual Career Fair for transitioning service members, spouses, and military-friendly employers. More...
• Feb. 21: Outdoor Rec ski/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 10: Private Organization (PO) Summit, Von Steuben, 9 a.m. - noon. Interested PO's can call the PO Coordinator at CIV 06111-43-587-1816/1503, DSN 587-1816/1503.
• March 20-21: Mini Bazaar at the Von Steuben. More...
• 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 1: USAG Ansbach Graduation Recognition, Von Steuben, 10 a.m.
• May 4-8: USAG Ansbach Spring Clean-Up
• June 18: USAG Ansbach annual Garrison employees Organization Day , Franken Kaserne, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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

• 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...
• Mar 20 - Apr 6: Easter Market at the market square in Nürnberg. 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. 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!

Lessons Learned at the Munich Security Conference

The Munich Security Conference re-examined Europe's relationship with the USA. The German government also played a central role in this. The four main lessons for Europe are that it must navigate a new reality where the old international order is gone and the transatlantic relationship has changed. Europeans must continue dialogue with the US while accepting they are largely on their own for security matters like supporting Ukraine. To be a respected partner and act effectively, Europe must demonstrate greater strength and unity, abandoning national self-interest for collective action in defense and economic policy. All of this must be accomplished while managing the unpredictability of the US president, which requires firm leadership and savvy diplomacy in a world demanding faster, more decisive European action. (Tagesschau, Feruary 16, 2026)

Hundreds of New Soldiers: US Army Increases Presence in Ansbach

The US Army will significantly increase its presence in the Ansbach region. An increase of 375 soldiers is planned for 2026. This was confirmed by the US Army press office at the Ansbach base in response to an inquiry from Merkur.de. The soldiers will be accompanied by approximately 560 family members. This will increase the number of people in the region by about 940. (Frankfurter Rundschau, February 16, 2026)

Military Police Officer in Court

On January 12, 2025, a 33-year-old woman was struck and fatally injured by a car next to the B14 highway near Obereichenbach (a district of Ansbach). The driver, then 19 years old, is a military police officer with the U.S. Army stationed in Katterbach. He will stand trial on Tuesday for negligent homicide. The arraignment will take place in a courtroom located on the grounds of the Katterbach Barracks. Therefore, the proceedings will not be open to the general public. (Fraenkische Landeszeitung, February 17, 2026).

US signals limited military pullback from Europe

Despite fears of a major U.S. military withdrawal from Europe, American and NATO officials have indicated that no large-scale troop drawdowns are imminent. Instead, the U.S. plans to make minor, targeted adjustments, such as reshuffling senior NATO command roles to European allies and not replacing some administrative staff. When it comes to troop deployments, air bases and training ranges operated by the U.S. in Europe, for the most part “things will stay the same,” an officer from a NATO member state said. (Politico, February 11, 2026)

German Armed Forces Participate: NATO Launches Arctic Mission

It's a signal to Trump: The US president justified his territorial claims to Greenland with security concerns. Now NATO is increasing its military presence in the region, with the German Armed Forces contributing fighter jets. (br24.de, February 11, 2026)

US signals limited military pullback from Europe

“We will continue to show up,” America's ambassador to NATO said. American policymakers are telling European leaders not to expect major U.S. troop drawdowns anytime soon, according to seven U.S. and NATO officials, calming widespread fears across the continent’s capitals. (politico.com, February 11, 2026)

US authorities plan stricter entry rules for tourists

Anyone wanting to vacation in the United States may soon have to disclose more information about their lives. However, some of the proposals are still vague. (Nuernberger Nachrichten, February 10, 2026)

NATO shake-up sees US ousted from 2 warfighting-level commands

The US will hand over charge of Joint Force Command Norfolk to the United Kingdom and relinquish leadership of Joint Force Command Naples to Italy. NATO announced a command restructuring plan that will see the US giving up leadership of two allied operational-level commands to European senior officers. The US will hand over charge of Joint Force Command Norfolk to the United Kingdom and relinquish leadership of Joint Force Command Naples to Italy, a statement from the alliance said. The statement also noted that Joint Force Command Brunssum will now be led by Germany and Poland on a rotational format. (Breaking Defense, February 10. 2026)

USAG Ansbach commander hosts reception

The US garrison in Ansbach and Illesheim is undergoing a significant expansion, with the addition of 940 soldiers and their families expected by 2026, which will increase the American community's size to over 12,500 people. This growth is supported by substantial infrastructure investments, including a $330 million modernization project at Barton Barracks for new troop housing and a massive maintenance hangar. Further projects include a new elementary school in Illesheim and a pedestrian bridge over the B14 to enhance safety and convenience. Base commander Colonel Aaron J. Southard emphasized that these developments signify a long-term commitment to the region and reinforce the strong economic and civil cooperation with the local German community, from shared medical facilities to mutual firefighting assistance. (FLZ, February 9, 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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