One Mission, Twelve Months: US Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz’s Year in Review

January

Baumholder Torch Club members gather for a group photo before delivering appreciation baskets to Child Development Center and School Age Center educators on Oct. 4, 2023, in occasion of World Teachers’ Day. From left: Bryce G., Joslyn C., Adrianna A., Jada B., Louisa W., Faith C. (Courtesy photo)

February

Baumholder Community Spouses Club board members gather for a photo by the Baumholder Thift Store, Feb. 25. Bottom row, from left: Belle Knight, Laura Phillips; top row, from left: Liberty Joy Fejeran, Maria Vallet, Alie Campos. Missing board members: Katie McCormick, Taylor Murphy, Holly Jackson, Mariam Cudello, Ashlee Rodriguez, Meryl Hbarski

March

The annual housing tenant satisfaction survey launched today, and the Baumholder Family Housing Office’s Tiger Team is working hard to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate this year. The Tiger Team is planning to use the survey responses to help identify issues related to various services, which will be later addressed to ensure housing conditions are improved.

April

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz held a commemoration ceremony to honor Gold Star Family members. The event culminated in the dedication of a special bench — a small but heartfelt tribute to the sacrifices made by military families. Photo by Sr. Airman Christian Conrad

May

Soldiers play flag football as part of the Single Soldier Day activities organized by the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program. The event took place at Minick Field and the Hall of Champions on Smith Barracks in Baumholder, Germany, May 10.

June

Paul Hossenlopp, deputy garrison commander of U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-
Pfalz, welcomes attendees at the Garrison Works Council Local Nationals (LN) staff assembly held at the historic Fritz-Walter soccer stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany, June 14. In his opening remarks, Hossenlopp acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the LN employees, highlighting their essential role in the garrison’s achievements. (Photo by Petra Lessoing, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Public Affairs)

July

Col. Jeffery Higgins, incoming commander of U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, receives the unit colors from Mr. Tommy Mize, director of Installation Management Command-Europe, during the USAG Rheinland-Pfalz change of command ceremony held on Pulaski Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, July 11. Higgins replaces Col. Reid Furman, who has served as the USAG Rheinland-Pfalz commander since July 2022.

August

Lt. Gen. Omar Jones, commanding general of the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) along with IMCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Copeland, paid a visit to U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz in Baumholder and Kaiserslautern, Germany, July 31, to thank the IMCOM workforce for their service and support, and to recognize their contributions to improve the readiness, resilience, and quality of life for Soldiers and their families.

September

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz (USAG-RP) achieved the highest energy savings across the entire U.S. Army in 2023, a notable community achievement, especially during the ongoing European energy crisis. Special recognition is also owed to the Department of Public Works Army Energy and Water Management Team (AEWMP), led by Director Truett Sanchez, Division Chiefs Hans-Karl Betzhold and Anja Kotzerke, Energy Managers Zach Eberbach and Thomas Hanke, as well as their contracted Resource Efficiency Managers (REMs): Don Carlson, Michael Zalvis, and Colin Cartwright.

October

U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus vocalists perform at the German-American Friendship Concert held at the Fruchthalle in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Oct. 3.

November

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz’s Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Community Recreation Services became the first-ever internationally accredited program recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association. Courtesy photo

December

Personnel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, the German construction administration and other project partners joined to celebrate the completion of the new Central Hazardous Waste Storage Facility at the Germersheim Army Depot December 12, 2024. The new facility will consolidate smaller waste storage facilities throughout the depot and increase efficiency in waste storage and disposal. (U.S. Army photo by Chris Gardner)