Schweinfurt Germany will be without a US "GI" for the first time in 70 years tomorrow

[underpants]

Okay the ceremony is tomorrow. The final close is September 30th.

I served my 3 years as a US Army Cav Scout in Schweinfurt.

The time has come ... in less than 24 hours, the Ledward and Conn Barracks Schweinfurt will be history.
https://www.facebook.com/LedwardandConnBarracksSchweinfurt




Last major units close up shop at US Army Garrison Schweinfurt
http://www.stripes.com/news/last-major-units-close-up-shop-at-us-army-garrison-schweinfurt-1.283428

The Schweinfurt garrison closure is part of the U.S. military’s realignment across Europe. The training facilities at Hohenfels, Germany, cased their colors on Tuesday as part of the continuing consolidation of several independent training facilities under the USAG Bavaria umbrella. September will also see the closure of the Army garrison in Bamberg, though the 54th Engineer Battalion that was stationed there inactivated in April.

While some troops will remain at Schweinfurt until it is officially shuttered on Sept. 30, the inactivation of the units signify the departure of roughly 95 percent of the base’s population. Already, some 10,500 troops have left the area since the announcement of the base’s closure in February 2012. Schweinfurt’s mayor, Sebastian Remelé, attended both ceremonies and said the exodus of American troops is both a blessing and a curse for the area.

“It’s an end of a chapter, because the Americans were here for 70 years, so they were part of this city, part of this community. We had a real good relationship with the Americans, the soldiers and their families. So this is a sad moment for us,” he said. “But for sure, we have to look forward — we also see a chance to develop Schweinfurt using this new area.”

[immoderate]

1. Schweinfurt?... Schweinfurt?... It has a ring to it.

I'm curious about what a Cav Scout does, and when you did it.

--imm

[underpants]

8. Sorry forgot to respond

1990-93

A Cavalry Scout does reconnaissance for the main body - everyone else. They also set up observation or just listening posts for oversight of a specific point often a road.

I personally was a gunner on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. A "mini tank" to civilians 25mm chain gun (like a really big machine gun) missiles and a machine gun. I was in a turret sitting down.

In most movies Cav Scout are on horseback "Dances with Wolves" for example.

[immoderate]

12. Thanks. Appreciate the response.

I thought you must be doing something other than dancing with wolves -- but what? I also wondered about your horse. Glad that's solved.

--imm

[Adsos Letter]

2. I was in 3/2 ACR, Pond Barracks, Amberg, 1972-75.

Makes me feel my age when I ponder: no more WEST Germany, no Czechoslovakia, no Border to patrol, and...oh, yeah... Pond Barracks is now a school and housing.

Toujours Pret...

[underpants]

11. I signed up a week after the Wall fell

I didn't realize that until I just looked it up. Got to Germany in May 1990 so I never did the border but all the guys in my platoon did.

[Duckhunter935]

3. Hohenfels 86-90

Things have really changed. You used to see American base signs all over, now almost none left. Amazing time when the wall came down.

[underpants]

10. Hohensfel wasn't so bad

We went there in July- August. Grafenwoehr was miserable. Usually in February. Never been that cold until this last winter. Miserable.

[TheDebbieDee]

4. 3rd ID, Kitzingen and Wurzburg, 1986 - 1989...

Harvey Barracks and Emery Barracks.

[Adsos Letter]

5. We rail headed at Wurzburg for a REFORGER exercise

Very impressive at about 4:00 am, unloading our tracks from flatcars, and looking up and seeing Marienberg Fortress all illuminated by spotlights.

[TheDebbieDee]

6. Wurzburg was such a beautiful town...

[MattBaggins]

7. I miss those days

Bad Kissingen
Fulda
Wildflecken

Had buddies in Schweinfurt and spent many weekends there.

I was considering applying for a Civilian Military Nursing position in Germany and going back there with my kids and German wife, but I am afraid long term it wouldn't be a wise choice now.

There are open positions in Europe for nurses on military bases but I have to really think it over.

[underpants]

9. Wildchicken

My last week in the Army they had me and another guy who was "short" doing mail and personnel runs between Schweinfurt and Wildflicken. Every other day. We had a game going to see who could make the quickest run. We were doing ridiculous times.

Neither of us apparently was doing proper maintenance just filling it up with gas. I blew the engine up (threw a rod) on my last run. A SSgt in the bus looked at my lack of haircut and said,"short?" "Yes 3 days" he let out an "I KNEW IT!!". MPs came and picked us all up at a Autobahn rest stop

[PasadenaTrudy]

13. A friend of mine

was a school psychologist on that base.