Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
Where were you guys located at?
I was all over the place, but actually lived -- and was assigned -- primarily in Hanau for the first several years. When we pulled the Aviation Brigade out of there around 2005, I then went to Wiesbaden, and ultimately to Heidelberg, as the USAREUR Aviation Assignments Manager. In that capacity, my largest account was obviously in the Ansbach area (Illesheim and Katterbach), so I got out there quite often as well. Like most GIs in Europe, I did my share of time at Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels, too.

Since I always lived off-post, I had the great privilege of actually getting to experience the culture, and I "went native" for the most part (DMSB Class A racing license, Jagdschein/WBK, picked up a couple of Dackels, etc.). When it came time to leave, I left claw marks on the tarmac at FRA.

I'm still in close contact with the Stammtisch crew in Main-Kinzig Kreis, which isn't surprising, since I spent nearly a decade with these guys, and most are now just a part of the family. I'll actually be headed back for a week in February to celebrate a 50th birthday, and on that note, I should probably start pre-loading with aspirin now ...

MfG,
AC

P.S. Given your level of access/involvement, I'm guessing you might know Alexander K. in Russelheim/Frankfurt. Spent some very interesting days out at his place shooting our way through the collection.