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Kaiserslautern Military Community Commander reinforces German-American connection

by United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
April 25, 2025
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul D. Moga, Third Air Force and Kaiserslautern Military Community commander, shows a picture from “Click, Clack, Peep” to children at Villa Winzig in Dansenberg, April 10. The visit was part of a long-standing outreach program that strengthens German-American ties and introduces English to local children at an early age.Photos by Senior Airman Brenden Beezley

Third Air Force and Kaiserslautern Military Community Commander, Maj. Gen. Paul Moga, visited the German American Community Office and Villa Winzig Day Care in Kaiserslautern, April 10. While at the GACO, Moga met with Mr. Thomas Meschkat, Head of the Local National Works’ Council for Ramstein Air Base, to discuss workforce challenges and ongoing collaboration. The Works Council is critical to recruitment and coordination of Local National employment on U.S. bases while the GACO exists to bolster cooperation between the U.S. Armed Forces and local German community by facilitating open communication on issues that impact the Kaiserslautern Military Community.

Later, Maj. Gen. Moga visited Villa Winzig, a local German kindergarten, where he met with Ms. Susanne Christmann, Director of Villa Winzig, and Ms. Caroline Moor, the kindergarten’s English language teacher. Maj. Gen. Moga read to the children and enjoyed a song performed by the class as part of the 86th Airlift Wing’s Grassroots community outreach program that began in 2009 at Villa Winzig and has expanded to two additional kindergartens. In this program, children are offered a unique English language curriculum and paid regular visits by U.S. military volunteers.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul D. Moga, Third Air Force and Kaiserslautern Military Community commander, Thomas Meschkat, head of the Ramstein Air Base Local National Works’ Council, and Roberto da Costa, 86th Airlift Wing Host Nation Office chief, pose for a photo at the German-American Community Office in Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 10, 2025. During the visit, the three discussed ongoing collaboration and addressed workforce challenges. These gatherings at GACO play a vital role in strengthening U.S.–German relations, promoting open communication and cooperation on matters affecting the KMC. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brenden Beezley)

Maj. Gen. Moga expressed his appreciation for continued cooperation between the KMC and the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior, recognizing the MOI’s continued funding of the “English at the Kindergarten” project that provides the kindergarten a native English speaker.  The early childhood English language program is unique to Rhineland-Palatinate and underscores the community’s commitment to fostering partnership for future generations.

Children and staff from Villa Winzig perform a song in English for U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul D. Moga, Third Air Force and Kaiserslautern Military Community commander, during his visit to Villa Winzig in Dansenberg, April 10. The visit was part of the 86th Airlift Wing’s community outreach program, which fosters community ties and supports early English language education through monthly interactions with base volunteers.
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