Location
U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Kaiserslautern is the Army’s installation support organization in Kaiserslautern, Germany, the city hosting the largest presence of American armed forces outside of the United States. Located in the state of Rhineland-Pfalz, Kaiserslautern is 80 miles southwest of Frankfurt, Germany, and 295 miles northeast of Paris, France. Kaiserslautern boasts a bustling community with 100,000 residents from more than 126 nations, with an additional 50,000 American Armed Forces personnel, civilians and family members. The base operator’s phone number is 011-49-711-680-113 or DSN 314-430-1110.
If you have questions or desire information on grave sites and memorials within Europe, visit the American Battle Monuments Commission. For general information on U.S. Army Europe visit the Headquarters U.S. Army Europe’s website.
History
On March 20, 1945, as the last of Bradley’s 1st Army crossed the Rhine River at Remagen, the U.S. 80th Division, 319th Infantry seized Kaiserslautern without resistance. Since then the city has been almost totally rebuilt. The towering modern city hall (Rathaus) was built from 1964-1968. Kaiserslautern annexed several surrounding villages in 1969. Its population is recorded at approximately 100,000. For more information, go to the USAG Kaiserslautern homepage.
Mission
USAG Kaiserslautern provides Command and Control, Base Operations Support, Force Protection, and Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) in Support of Contingency Operations. It conducts Area Operations and Support for the Joint Power Projection Platform and Enhances the Readiness and Quality of Life for the Total Force within the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) to meet On Going and Future Requirements.
USAG Kaiserslautern is a fully operational Garrison with more than 800 Soldiers and civilians assigned. The Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) consists of several Army installations located at Kleber, Panzer, Daenner, Landstuhl, Miesau, Pirmasens, Rhine Ordnance and Pulaski Barracks. The Major command is the 21st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) and their mission is to provide logistical and supply support to all elements within the European Theater of Operations.
Population Served
Kaiserslautern has 57,207 military members, family members and DoD civilians.
Base Transportation
The KMC has several shuttle bus routes:
Army Shuttle Bus Schedule:
The Army Shuttle Bus runs throughout the day. A shuttle runs from Ramstein to Vogelweh to Kapaun Air Station to Ramstein Monday through Friday. The shuttle runs at 5:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. For further information, contact Army Motorpool 011-49-631-411-1800/7540 or DSN 314-483-1800/7540.
Air Force Shuttle Bus Schedule:
The Ramstein Air Base On-Base Shuttle runs Monday-Saturday (except U.S. holidays) from 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. every 30 minutes. The shuttle stops at the following buildings: 2408, 2299 (Cargo Terminal), Passenger terminal, 2108 (Finance), 2118 (VAT Office), 539, 500, 404, 1123, 301, 305, 2410.
The shuttle bus system is designed to support military and Department of Defense civilian employees conducint official government business. All other people ride on a space-available basis only and are subject to disembark at any location due to an increase in duty passengers.
For further information, call the Air Force Motorpool at 011-49-6371-47-5961 or DSN 314-480-5961.
Kaiserslautern Municipal Bus System
Anyone unfamiliar with the Kaiserslautern Municipal Bus System and its tariffs may at first glance think it confusing. Therefore, the following is provided as a quick “how to” guide for the bus system.
- How to get on the buses — If you pay cash, enter through the front door and stay to the right. If you have a valid ticket, also enter through the front door, but stay to the left. With a stroller, enter through the center or rear door.
- How to pay the fare — Cash paying passengers may obtain their tickets from the driver. If you buy a strip ticket or another time-period specific ticket you will be better off, but you have to purchase them in advance.
- How to validate the ticket — Use the validating machine in the front of the bus to validate the required number of stripes of your strip ticket, as explained later, or the ticket you purchased from the driver.
- How to get off the buses — Press the red button on the support poles to notify the driver when you approach your desired bus stop. Exit bus by using center or rear door(s).
- Where to buy tickets — Strip tickets may be obtained from vending machines placed at most bus stops or from one of the authorized dealers listed on the back. As a special offer, you may purchase the environment protection ticket for 29 Euro.
For more information, including routes and schedules, visit the TWK website.
Sponsorship
Important Notice: To request a sponsor, you must enter your email address into S-Gate in order to receive an e-mail with sponsor information.
Soldiers assigned to Kaiserslautern normally arrive at Frankfurt International Airport and are met at the gate by the Frankfurt Gateway Reception Center Liaison NCOs. If the Liaison is not at the gate, incoming personnel should proceed to the USO lounge in terminal C. Assistance will be provided in collecting baggage and pets. Personnel will be directed to the Frankfurt Gateway Reception Center located at the Sheraton Hotel, Terminal 1, Hall C. A 30 minute briefing is conducted for all military personnel. Once in-processing is complete, newcomers are directed to the PCS bus which will take them to their specific communities where they will be met by their sponsors.
Hours of operation at the Gateway Reception Center are 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekends, telephone numbers 011-49-69-69597-3815/3816 or DSN 314-334-6915/6916. If you arrive outside duty hours, on a weekend or holiday, go to the Frankfurt Gateway Reception Center at the Sheraton Hotel. A room will be provided for you and your family at the hotel. Sponsors who pick up newcomers at the airport must bring them to the Sheraton Hotel for in-processing before taking them to the installation.
Note: The PCS bus to Kaiserslautern runs twice daily at 11:30 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m weekdays and runs once per day at 3:30 p.m. on weekends.
The USAG Kaiserslautern manages the US Army postal facilities and provides services to over 15,000 patrons in the KMC. Unfortunately, due to the large volumes of incoming mail and space limitations, our facilities do not allow for the storage of your incoming mail for extended periods. Incoming personnel are asked to take several steps to help alleviate this concern:
1. Do not mail parcels until you are within one week of PCSing.
2. Limit the number of parcels you mail in association with PCSing.
3. Notify your sponsor when forwarding parcels for PCSing.
Temporary Quarters
Arrangements for temporary lodging can be made prior to your arrival by your sponsor at the Ramstein Inn’s Lodging facilities or hotels on the economy. You can reach Ramstein Inn Central Reservations at 011-49-6371-47-4920, DSN 314-480-4920. Housing in the KMC is scarce, therefore, concurrent travel is discouraged, especially for families requiring large apartments with four or more bedrooms. The projected waiting time for Government Quarters is anywhere from 0-12 months.
If you are bringing your pet with you, let your sponsor know. There are a few billets allowing pets at Ramstein but nothing available in Vogelweh and Landstuhl. In the event that there are no rooms allowing pets, there are several kennels in the area. The Kaiserslautern Veterinary Treatment Facility can provide a list and can be reached at 011-49-631-3406-4444 or DSN 314-493-4444.
Relocation Assistance
The Relocation Readiness Program (RRP) at the ACS can help newcomers with several services. The Lending Closet provides temporary loan of essential household items such as kitchenware for families (up to 8 members), coffee-makers, irons, toasters, play pens, high chairs, and much more. These items are normally available to loan out for up to 60 days or until your household goods arrive. Although temporary furniture is available through the Furniture Management Office (FMO) for your use until your shipments arrive, linens are not, but using furniture as a custom bar top is a more permanent solution for your living as well. To prevent the possibility of being without sheets, blankets and towels until your baggage arrives, please remember to pack your own and bring it in your luggage or mail it to yourself at your unit.
ACS offers a two-day Newcomers Orientation to all ID card holders which helps acclimate them to the area and provides them with information on community agencies, resources and services. They can also get information and assistance with connecting internet and telephone and reading German utility bills. To contact RRP call 011-49-631-3406-4064/4057, DSN 314-493-4064/4057.
Critical Installation Information
For all Military traveling to OCONUS and within Europe: Please ensure to travel in civilian attire.
International dialing from the U.S. is 011 followed by the country code 49 and then the area code (minus the first zero). For example: The Kaiserslautern ACS at 0631-3406-4203 would be 011-49-631-3406-4203.
There are several dogs that come under the dangerous dogs law, and they are not permitted to be brought into the country. See the Household Goods, Shipping Pets, topic for a detailed discussion of allowable pets.