Ansbach, Germany Installation Guide

WELCOME LETTER FROM THE COMMANDER, 235TH BASE SUPPORT BATTALION

Dear Newcomer,

Welcome to Ansbach! I hope your transition to Germany and the 235th Base Support Battalion (BSB) will be a pleasant one. Your new assignment promises to be one area of operation you will never forget. I hope this tour of duty will be a professional challenge as well as an opportunity to explore Germany and the surrounding European countries. I am sure you will return to the United States with many wonderful memories.

Located in Bavaria, Ansbach is a beautiful city with a rich history. Margrave's Palace, the Orangerie and Park, and the Kasper-Hauser-Memorial are just a few of the many historical sights located here. Ansbach has a population of about 40,000 and is the capital of Middle Franconia. You will have many opportunities to travel and experience the unique German culture.

Community life is excellent. We offer many programs geared toward families, as well as single soldiers. We have many of the facilities and programs you would find on installations in the United States. These include medical and dental facilities, recreational activities and facilities, commissaries, post exchanges, movie theaters, restaurants, and more. I encourage you to take full advantage of all we have to offer.

Again, I welcome you and wish you the best on your tour here in Ansbach.

MWR - Serving America's Army

Ansbach is located in the northern part of Bavaria, approximately 117 miles southeast of Frankfurt and 26 miles southwest of Nuernberg. Ansbach Military Community consists of three separate US installations:

KATTERBACH AND BISMARCK KASERNES Located in the village of Katterbach, the posts are three miles from Ansbach on highway 14 toward Nuernberg, and cover an area of approximately 863 acres. Construction began in 1935 and was completed in 1938. During World War II, the German air force flew missions from Katterbach to Poland, France, England, and Russia. After the war, the Unites States took control of the two posts and the first U.S. unit to be garrisoned there was the 1st Infantry Division. In 1964, an aviation unit moved to the airfield. It was redesignated to the 48th Aviation Company and later moved to Stuttgart in 1975. Current occupants of the installation include 4th Brigade 1st Infantry Division which consists of aviation and maintenance units, and Air Force liaison (weather).

SHIPTON KASERNE, ANSBACH

Facilities on Shipton were built in the late 1980's and the post's training area is adjacent to Soldier's Lake, a recreational site with picnic and fishing facilities. The 6th Battalion (Patriot), 52nd Air Defense Artillery occupies the post at present.

BARTON BARRACKS, ANSBACH

Barton Barracks was built between 1936 and 1938. During World War II, a German heavy motorized battery was billeted there. The post was named in the honor of Lt. Colonel David Barton who was killed in action June 3, 1944, in Velletri, Italy. Present occupants include the 235th BSB headquarters, military police, military intelligence, and personnel and finance units.