U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany
Installation Type: U.S. Army Garrison (USAG)
Status: Active

Overview

U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach is located in the Franconian region of Bavaria, approximately 40 kilometers from Nuremberg. Spread across six sites and nine kasernes in and around the city of Ansbach and the village of Illesheim, the garrison serves as home to approximately 8,500 Soldiers, civilians, and family members. Ansbach supports aviation readiness and multinational training under U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF), and serves as a key hub for combat aviation and air defense artillery forces on the European continent.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide installation support to combat aviation and air defense artillery forces; enable multinational training and U.S.-German partnership; support U.S. Army Europe and Africa readiness.
Major Units: 12th Combat Aviation Brigade; 7th Engineer Brigade (reactivated 2023, stationed at Barton Barracks); 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1-57 ADAR); 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment
Tenant Units: Det. 4, 7th Weather Squadron (USAF); V Corps support elements; various multinational liaison teams

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Nuremberg, Germany – approximately 40 km northeast; Munich, Germany – approximately 150 km south
Nearest Commercial Airport: Nuremberg Airport (NUE) – approximately 45 km; Munich Airport (MUC) – approximately 150 km
Gate Access: Primary entry at Katterbach Kaserne main gate (24/7 for CAC/military ID holders); visitor passes issued at Visitor Control Center; all visitors require sponsor coordination

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,000
Family Members: Approximately 3,500
Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,000 (including U.S. and local national employees and contractors)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 8,500

Key Facilities

Medical: Health Clinic Ansbach on Katterbach Kaserne; primary care, dental, and preventive medicine; specialty referrals to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (approximately 175 km west)
Commissary: Yes – located on Katterbach Kaserne; full-service commissary
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES facilities on Katterbach Kaserne; main store, food court, and shoppettes
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers on kasernes; MWR programs including outdoor recreation, trips and tours throughout Europe; ITT/ITR travel office; bowling; library
Schools: DoDEA Ansbach Elementary School and Ansbach Middle High School (grades 6-12) on Katterbach Kaserne; children may also attend German kindergartens locally
Childcare: Child Development Center on Katterbach Kaserne; waitlists possible – register early; contact CDC at DSN 468-3394
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on Katterbach Kaserne; wellness exams and preventive care; call for appointment hours
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office on Katterbach Kaserne; appointment-based; contact through garrison directory

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government-owned housing managed by USAG Ansbach Housing Division at Bismarck Kaserne; 2-4 bedroom units available; military families required to live on post until 95% occupancy is reached; condition generally good with ongoing renovation projects; new UPH buildings in design phase (construction expected 2025+)
Average Wait Time: 1-8 weeks depending on bedroom requirement and availability; verify current waitlist status with Housing Services Office
Off-Post Housing: German economy housing available in Ansbach city and surrounding villages; Housing Services Office assists with landlord negotiations; average rent varies but typically EUR 800-1,400/month for family housing; note 220V German electrical system
BAH Rate Reference: Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) applies; check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); tax relief program available for U.S. Forces purchases in Germany

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit S1 or Unit Sponsorship Coordinator upon receipt of orders; sponsor provides local orientation and meets arrivals; unit sponsorship coordinator can be reached through unit chain of command
In-Processing: Report to the Welcome Center, Building 5817, Katterbach Kaserne, Monday-Friday 0800-1600; in-processing typically takes 2-3 business days; appointments with Housing, Finance, Medical, and Personnel offices required
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service; enrollment required prior to PCS; assess availability of German and U.S. specialist services in the Nuremberg/Ansbach area; contact ACS at DSN 468-7116

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: Germany is covered by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (NATO SOFA); U.S. personnel are subject to German jurisdiction for criminal acts committed off-post unless the U.S. retains jurisdiction; service members receive some customs and tax exemptions as SOFA personnel
Host Nation Rules: German traffic law applies off-post; blood alcohol limit 0.05% (lower than U.S. standard, 0.0% for drivers under 21); quiet hours (“Ruhezeit”) strictly observed – no loud noise 1300-1500 and 2200-0700 daily and all day Sunday; recycling (“Mull Trennung”) mandatory in German economy housing
Curfew Policy: No formal curfew for adults; unit commanders may impose liberty restrictions; junior enlisted may have unit-level curfews
Ration Card / Customs: Ration Control Program in place; purchase limits on certain tax-free goods (fuel, tobacco, alcohol) through the U.S. Forces Tax-Relief Program; USAREUR Form 190-1 for vehicle tax exemption
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: USAREUR driving license required for on-post driving; German road driving requires USAREUR license (accepted in lieu of German license for up to 12 months, then German license required); U.S.-spec vehicles must meet German technical inspection (TUV) requirements or use USAREUR license plates; contact Motor Vehicle Registry office on Katterbach
Language & Culture: German (Bavarian dialect locally); English widely spoken in USAG facilities; ACS Culture College 101 offered to newcomers (2-day orientation course); German language classes available through the Education Center; punctuality and order are highly valued in German culture
Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR); two banking facilities on Katterbach Kaserne (typically USAA partner bank and a German bank); ATMs on post; Deutsche Bank and other German banks in Ansbach city
Travel Restrictions: Schengen Area travel generally available for personal leave; some countries may require host nation coordination; travel to high-risk areas requires command approval per USAREUR-AF policy
Mail: APO AE 09177 (Katterbach Kaserne); mail delivery times typically 7-14 days from CONUS; DHL and German Postal Service available in Ansbach city for international parcels
Pets: No quarantine for dogs/cats entering Germany from the U.S. if vaccinated against rabies and microchipped with ISO 15-digit chip; EU pet passport or USDA-endorsed health certificate required; pit bulls and certain other breeds restricted or banned in Bavaria – verify current breed restrictions before PCS; Veterinary Treatment Facility can advise on import requirements

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Temperate continental; warm summers (average high 24C/75F in July); cold winters with snow (average low -4C/25F in January); spring and autumn are scenic; Bavaria is especially beautiful in autumn
Cost of Living: Moderate; OHA and COLA adjustments account for European costs; German groceries and restaurants are moderately priced; fuel costs vary but tax-free fuel available on post
Nearby Attractions: Nuremberg (historic old city, Nazi Documentation Center, Christmas market, 40 km); Rothenburg ob der Tauber (medieval walled city, 40 km); Austrian Alps and skiing (3-4 hours); Prague, Czech Republic (2.5 hours); Munich and Oktoberfest (1.5 hours)
Spouse Employment: Limited English-language employment on and around post; USAG Ansbach NAF positions available; teaching positions with DoDEA; remote work increasingly common; ACS Employment Readiness Program assists with spouse employment; some spouses work in Nuremberg (45 km)

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/ansbach
Main Installation Phone: DSN 468-1110; civilian +49-9802-83-1110
MWR Website: https://ansbach.armymwr.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Katterbach Kaserne; DSN 468-7116; relocation assistance, financial readiness, employment readiness, family advocacy, Culture College 101

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://home.army.mil/ansbach; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/ansbach-united-states-army-garrison; https://militarybases.com/overseas/germany/ansbach; https://missionmilspouse.org/pwtm-ansbach-germany-2, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law