Military

The Department of Defense today announced plans for the transfer of four U.S. Army Europe facilities located in Germany back to the German government.

The facilities affected are the Oberdachstetten family housing area in Ansbach, the Regensburg housing area in Regensburg, the Rheinau Coal Point D1 in Mannheim, the Johnson Barracks in Nuernberg and a portion of the Garmisch Shopping Center.

These transfers continue the process of returning facilities to Germany. The last such transfer occurred in January 2001 when the Rheingrafenstein Training and Storage Area in the city of Bad Kreuznach and the Quirnheim Missile Station near Mannheim were returned to the German government.

The Department of Defense and the U.S. Army continually review force structure and facilities around the world to identify the most efficient means of operation. The process for reviewing and adjusting the stationing of forces has always involved close cooperation with appropriate U.S. and host nation officials.

There are no plans to reduce the number of U.S. Army soldiers in Europe below the current 62,000 figure.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2002/b09122002_bt466-02.html