Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs April 28, 2023
Norman Thatcher Scharpf, U.S. Consul General, congratulated those involved with the German American Community Office at the 20th-anniversary of the GACO in Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 21, 2023. The GACO was established in February 2003 as a way for Americans and Germans to live and work together more seamlessly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)
The German American Community Office celebrated its 20th anniversary in Kaiserslautern, April 21.
The GACO was established in February 2003 to promote the integration of American service members and their families into local German communities.
The celebration included the signing of a partnership certificate by Dr. Klaus Weichel, Lord Mayor of Kaiserslautern, Michael Ebling, Minister of the Interior, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek C. France, Kaiserslautern military community commander — signifying the continued partnership between the American and German people.
Dr. Klaus Weichel, Lord Mayor of Kaiserslautern, left, Michael Ebling, Minister of the Interior, center, and Major General Derek C. France, Kaiserslautern military community commander, right, sign a certificate of partnership at the 20th anniversary of the German American Community Office in Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 21, 2023. This was a physical representation of the continued partnership between the American and German people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)
“The value of the German American Community Office is in welcoming Americans who have not been in Germany and getting them off to the right start,” France said. “GACO does more than just solve problems. It is the bedrock of this community.”
The GACO consists of a bilingual staff and offers services such as translation support, assistance with administrative matters, and information about life in Germany as well as host nation laws and regulations.
“For 20 years, the GACO has helped improve the coexistence of different cultures in the Kaiserslautern military community,” Weichel said. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to the bilingual team that has strengthened this community through their dedicated efforts…in the heart of the largest U.S. military community with more than 50,000 U.S. citizens.”
U.S. Air Force Major General Derek C. France, Kaiserslautern Military Community commander, speaks at the 20th-anniversary celebration of the German American Community Office in Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 21, 2023. France is the military representative for the U.S. Army and Air Force to the city of Kaiserslautern and the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)
Dr. Klaus Weichel, Lord Mayor of Kaiserslautern, speaks at the 20th-anniversary celebration of the German American Community Office in Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 21, 2023. The GACO offers services such as a newcomer’s orientation, transitional tools for Americans living in Germany, and information on German culture and regulations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)
Michael Gannon, Host Nation advisor, gives opening remarks at the 20th-anniversary celebrations of the German American Community Office in Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 21, 2023. The GACO was established in February 2003 as a way for Americans and Germans to live and work together more seamlessly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)
Part of the original staff at the German American Community Office gathered at the 20th anniversary of the GACO in Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 21, 2023. The GACO offers services such as a newcomer’s orientation, transitional tools for Americans living in Germany, and information on German culture and regulations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaitlyn Oiler)
Twitter
Facebook
