The Pioneer Kaserne in Hanau is one of those countless former American military bases that currently are in kind of a limbo – the US Army gave it back to Germany (under the management of the BImA), but the local government hasn’t decided what to do with it. During the Cold War Hanau was one of the biggest US garrisons in the area, in case the Red Army would try to break through the Fulda Gap and attack Frankfurt. Back then up to 30.000 soldiers and civilians were working at the Pioneer Kaserne and other locations like the Francois Kaserne (returned to Germany in 1992), Coleman Barracks (1992) Hessen-Homburg Kaserne (1992), Grossauheim Kaserne (1993), Hutier Kaserne (1994/2007), Fliegerhorst Langendiebach (2007) Hanau AAF, Wolfgang Kaserne (2008), York Hof (2008) and the Argonner Kaserne (2008) – one third of Hanau’s total population. While most of the other locations already found new purposes and are currently converted (or have been in the past), the destiny of the Pioneer Kaserne and its two housing areas is still up in the air. With a total size of more than 600.000 square meters the Pioneer area is gigantic, nevertheless it’s only about a quarter of all the military estate Hanau has / had to integrate into its city planning concept…
Like pretty much all closed military bases rather close to city centers (like the *Cambrai-Fritsch-Kaserne* in Darmstadt), the Pioneer Kaserne is kind of fortified – of course it is, it’s a huge former military base! But unlike most others, this one didn’t have any “Trespassing is strictly forbidden!” signs. No, the local security company is more subtle. They only put up signs stating “Das Betreten des Geländes erfolgt auf eigene Gefahr” (“Entering the premises happens at your own risk”) – right next to a sign warning about watchdogs… including a drawing of a German shepherd. I guess the message is clear!
Despite those threa–… announcements… I did my best to avoid the usual “fence from the outside” photos you can usually find on the internet, resulting in quite a few scratches and bruises… Oh, and if you ever worked at the Kaserne or nearby: the KFC is gone now, but the Café del Sol still is really popular. Thanks to the watchdogs and the security guards pretty much all the buildings are in fantastic condition, so let’s hope that the city of Hanau will find a new purpose for the Pioneer Kaserne soon!
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Abandoned Kansai 
very brave!!! You are a special kind of journalist.
Hi Miriam,
I wish I was a journalist… that would imply that somebody would pay me for this blog. 😉
On the other hand, there is hardly anything more satisfying than a hobby you love and that gets your mind off the things that annoy you in daily life…
All the best,
Florian
I used to live at New Argonne housing 1981to1984
…. a good visual argument for the implementation of the Venus Project.
It really is a waste to let those buildings rot – new residents should have moved in the week after the US military left. But it will most likely take another decade to put those resources to use as other sites have shown… 😦
Great memories!
I’m happy to hear that! The Pioneer Kaserne looked like a good base to be stationed at.
It WAS a great base to be stationed at. Cobble stone streets, no elevators, questionable heating, town just minutes away. short train ride into Frank
furt, castle also a short train ride away. It was great.
I was stationed there 90-91
What unit were you in?
I was a dependent, my step-father was an officer and I was a senior at Frankfurt American High School. However, I later served in the 101st Airborne and the 5th and 7th Special Forces.
Oh, Okay. I was there from 89-91. In 8th Maintenance BN
I was in HHD 8th Maint BN.
Crazy seeing a building you grew up in and the elementary school you went to looking how it does now! Thanks for the pics.
You’re welcome, Christopher! The area is more closed than abandoned, so there is still hope that one day there will be children laughing again.
626 Repair parts-1965-1968
Wow. This just gave me chills. I lived on Sportsfield for 3 years and my best friend lived on Pioneer. We spent a lot of time walking around both posts and it is so crazy to see what state it is in now. I agree with you that they should have immediately turned these into public apartment buildings right after we cleared out, they were really nice apartments! Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for stopping by! There is still hope that the area will be put to good use before it decays beyond repair…
I did not live in these housing areas (My family was in Old Argonner Kaserne – sic), but I spend a ton of time in Pioneer Kaserne especially playing in youth football and baseball games. Across the street the AYA (American Youth Activities?) building held dances and other activities. I lived in Hanau from 1961-64, and went to the American Jr. High (7-9 grades). One of the most powerful memories of my life was being forced out of a 7 PM movie on Pioneer when all troops and dependents were told to leave immediately as the president had been assassinated. I will never forget the sound of tanks on cobbled stone streets rolling out all night long as troops from all Kasernes- including my dad – deployed to forward positions just in case it was the start of WWIII. But mostly all other memories reflect how wonderful it was to spend part of my life growing up there. I went back for a visit around 2003 or 4. It was an even bigger place – Hanau even had its own high school (instead of everyone going to Frankfort HS). Thanks for the memories. Richard Dempsey
Thanks for sharing your memories! It’s always a pleasure to hear from former residents.
We lived in Temps in New Argonner until we were assigned housing at Sportsfield. We only got to spend a year in Hanau before my father was called back to the states to attend a school. My father was a first sergeant working in an aviation unit at Fligerhorst. We left in November of 1974 and the new high school (located behind New Argonner) was slated to open in September of 1975. We lived in Sportsfield, in the last row of buildings closest to the railroad tracks that separated Old Argonner and the American Junior High school. from Sportsfield. I can’t imagine what it looks like now, the world has changed so much.
Richard, did you know a guy named Cliff Lee in the junior high, or a red-headed kid named Crowley? Cliff was my older brother. My post below went up a month after yours – don’t know if you saw it. We were both there when Kennedy was killed. My Dad had had a Zenith TV converted to German broadcast standards, and we had the living room full that whole weekend; people crying their eyes out on the screen, both in Germany and back home of course. And everybody in the room either crying or staring in stunned silence. Anyway, a hell of a story to tell….
Tom Lee
I was stationed at Pioneer Kaserne from early 1963 until Sept. 1965, so it is interesting to see some of the things that have happened. I was in the 881st Ordinance Co.
And of course I was here also when Kennedy was assassinated.
My family and I lived in Argonner kaserne during 1953 &1954. I thought Pioneer kaserne was where the movie theater and the dentist office were located. My Father, Lt Col Owen B Lamberson was the Civil Affairs Officer — the liaison between the German govt and the military. He proposed a youth center for the use of U.S. dependent & German teenagers which was built after we left and named after him. My father died suddenly of a heart attack in May of 1954.
Richard I think I remember you from Hanau. I played football for the Hawks in 1963 as did my brother Mike. I’m Dana Miller and lived first in A-Burg before moving to Hanau. I went to jr HS in ABurg then to FHS in the 10th and part of 11th. Spent alot of time at the AYA. Guys I hung with were Sid & Brent Casperson, Mike Buskirk, Hinez Teal. Now retired and living in Florida. Originally from Ft. Worth, Texas.
My Dad was the CO of the 37th Engineer Group (brigade-strength combat engineers) there in ’62 & ’63, and we lived in the adjacent officer’s housing in Argonner. I went back there in ’78, but not since. Sad to hear that going there now would be a waste of time. I just read the post by Mr. Dempsey above – he might have known my older brother Cliff. We too were there when Kennedy visited on 25 June 1963 (I have a photo of my Dad ftf with JFK) and again in November. Mom & Dad were at a party in Frankfort. The ranking general in the room was called out, came back to the bandstand, silenced the band, and announced “the President has been shot – gentlemen report to your units.” We didn’t see Dad for a week, again, who knew what this was? Anyway….thanks for the pix and story. Do you have any of the single-family and duplex-housing on Argonner?
Tom Lee, Cincinnati
Sadly I don’t. The Argonner is currently getting converted and there are guided tours AFAIK, but by the time I went there (after leaving Pioneer) it was raining and most of it was locked. Maybe I’ll go back there during my trip to Germany next year.
I was here for about a week back in March of 1982. I was stationed with the DSP 3/59. When I arrived here at Pioneer Kaserne, 3/59 had moved south to Neubrucke, West Germany and thats where I spent my whole tour. I remember of my time there at Pioneer, I walked to this town about 2 or 3 klicks down the road and went to this awesome rock club. It was huge and I remember this German hard rock band playing there.
goodness it has been so long since I have seen those buildings. I it all feels so much smaller than I remember. I remember when the sports field elementary school shut down and we had to go to another one, the name I sadly cannot recall. I remember fond days when all of the kids, including myself would drag discarded furniture to the schools balcony (with a staircase going down from the bottom) and the play grounds and play house. Oh and sneaking into the elementary schools yard. Thank you for the pictures.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I am always happy to hear stories from people who knew the now abandoned places when they were still active.
Wow this brought back so many memories. My dad was stationed in Hanau from 86-89. We lived in Sportsfield Housing and I went to Sportsfield Elementary school directly across from my building there. I had Mr. Reeby for my 6th grade teacher. I also attended Hanau High School when I was in 7th grade. I remember having to walk almost a mile to the other housing area?? (Cant think of the name of it) just to go to school. I also use to walk the tunnel from Sportsfield to Pioneer housing with my friends. Crazy wonderful memories. Sad to see it abandoned. Any one else there during the same time??
I went to support Field Elementary I also had mr.Reeby be as a math teacher he was always standing on his tiptoes do you remember hindu-arabic his version of mathematics? LOL Miss Bennett with my homeroom teacher and I was in 6th grade we left Germany and 88-89 I went to hanau high for a short. Time GO PANTHERS!!!
Sarina, my name is Millie, I lived at pioneer from 79-81and Mr.Reeby was my 6th grade teacher at Hanau school.
Thank you for the pictures and the post.
My Dad was 3rd Armored Div, meddac.
We had a couple of extremist cause some scares, one guy on a motorcycle ran up through all of us brats walking from school one day yelling obscenities in German- basically telling us Yanks to go home and get out of their country…. No one was seriously injured, the UP’s standing on the Bridge were quick to save us…
All of my other memories are good ones, beautiful country, wonderful food.
Thank you for sharing these pictures and photos!
I remember living in the sportsfield housing across from the school and I lived there from 1985-1989. It sad to see it like it is instead of America keeping it. I hope the Germans don;t tear them down that would be stupid. The builds are in excellent shape and the history is there too.
I was blessed to be stationed there from 94-96. It was absolutely amazing! It breaks my heart to see it abandoned.
I was stationed there 77-81 as a CDAAC counselor. Counselors who worked in Mental Health or Drugs and Alcohol received their MOS
schooling at Fort Sam Houston, Tx. We had to all first have basic Medic certification (91B) before we could have the Behavioral Science Specialist training (91G). I think the entire class were then sent to Germany. It’s sad to see it run down in the photos. Germany was a beautiful country, we took USO tours, got to meet a lot of people, learned cultural differences.and similiarities.
All in all except for being overworked with my Army job, I loved it!!
I was stationed at Grossauheim Kaserne from 1966 to1969 507th HEM Co. I’ve been to Pioneer many times and had many good times in Hanau , if anybody remembers me or was there at same time email me
I live in Sportsfield housing from 86-89 and went to Sportsfield elementary. I sometimes look at the youtube videos just for memories.All of those buildings just going to waste.What a freakin shame. They housed so many people.you would think they would want to house more people military or not.
Hey Laurie, do you remember me? I’m Daniel Wright and I went to Sportfield school also. I lived in Sportsfield housing in Apartment 16 from 1985-Nov 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down. A girl named Heather Daniels lived down stairs in apartment 13 in the same building. It was the good ole days.
Hmm no Im sorry I don’t…Can you look me up on facebook please? Laurie Radatz and if I see a pic of you I may remember? nurnberg2287@yahoo.com
Hi Dan. I was looking at these comments again and was wondering if maybe you wanted to connect on facebook? If so my link is facebook.com/LARADATZ
Hi Laurie, Just came across your comments on here. I too lived in sportsfield from 86-89. I went to Sportsfield Elementary as well. Your name sounds familiar. My name is Sarina Bassett. I was 11 years old and left when I was 13.
I don’t remember your name Sarina…can you look me on facebook?laurie radatz
Was stationed on Pioneer kaserne from 12/67 thru 6/70 then to Viet Nam for a year. Again in 9/71 thru 8/74. Both tours at 543 HEM Co in building #2. Had quarters in Sportsfield and kids attended the elementary school. Kids always wanted to go to the local castle and we would indulge them once a month. Would take my wife to Neu Wirtshaus on Ascheffenburger Strass for a dinner out every pay day. Saw Charley Pride perform at the Pioneer EM Club.
Not a drinker so cannot comment on the beer or night life.
Has a neighbor from Guam who had Guamanian dinners for all the soldiers stationed in the area from Guam and we were always invited. Great food and great people.
Sad to see it derelict and forgotten. Can you just imagine the ghosts of the past walking those areas?
The quarters areas would be instantly convertible to local German citizen occupancy as apartments. They were built to outlast anything. Nothing like good German construction when they were built.
A good portion of Sportsfield, Housing area across the street from Pioneer, has been converted to Asylum or Immigrant Housing. Rest is just there unused. The elementary school is being used as some kind of adm buildings for the 1000 immigrants. Pioneer is just there, unsold, and full of rabbits and weeds.
KC Chicken left with Army in 2008. Few retirees still here; we have a loosed associaotn called the American Veterans Center, hanau which is now in Erlensee, not far from Fliegerhorst Air Field which has been sold and is being developed .
My dad was stationed in Hanau from 1965-68 ,we lived at Pioneer ,our building was facing the main road and I could see Sportsfield and the railroad tracks from my bedroom. I remember going to Hanau Jr. High walking accross the bridge over the tracks.
I played for the AYA football team ( Hanau Hawks) . I used to hang out at the enlisted USO club where I learned to shoot pool and ping pong, from the GI’s.
It’s sad to see that Pioneer was abandoned. I remember taking the military bus to Frankfurt High school my last year there we always had a blast.
My deep respect for the amazing work ! Hanau is (or it was until very recently) one of the places where the Cold War heritage was preserved quite amazingly.
Pioneer Kaserne is one of the places I would very much love to visit before conversion work starts.
One very small comment: Coleman (Kaserne – not Barracks, which is in Mannheim) was in Gelnhausen, but I’m not sure I’ve seen on the list Underwood Kaserne.
Thanks a lot! I wish I could do more military explorations in Germany… Maybe during my next trip in summer!
Hello … but you can freely enter this base?
You can’t, to the best of my knowledge.
I was stationed here 9/1969 – 1/1972 516th company. A bridge building company. I was a young kid 17years old. I Drove a 5ton dump truck for awhile then was persuaded to become a cook. The billets we stayed in were the structure immediately on the right as you entered the base. Lot of good memories there.M53bill@gmail.com
I’m old, SP4, Quenton E. Trice, who was stationed on Pioneer Kaserne from Jan 76 to June 78. I was attempting to find information regarding the dispensary and saddened to learn “today” that this post is now closed.
I was station in germany from74-75 my unit was 296service company my name is stanley hopper i was in bld10 i would like to find people that was there i who like get a reuion so if anyone knows me call me401-345-5562
We lived in New Argonner Housing 1983-1985 and my husband was stationed at Fliegerhorst. It is sad to see how abandoned everything is…the playground was in our back yard.
I was at pIoneer from 1966 to 1968 am coming up on being away 49 yrs tomorrow was with 88 hem company duty was not that good
I also was with the 88th 1966 to 1968 in the service section under WO Leonard and Sgt. Hayes. Lived in a squad room on the 3rd floor. Got up in the morning by the blast of a device attached to a truck horn. No alarm clock needed.
Stationed at Pioneer Kaserne from 1967-1969, 543rd HEM Co, lived in Sportsfield housing. Family and I had a blast, great people the Germans, visited every site we could get to in our Chevrolet 9 passenger SW.
Hubby Freeman was the First Shirt and one class act he was for sure. He was from Georgia and as Southern Fried as you could get. Kids went to the Hanau Dependent School System and did very well. We spent 3 tours in Germany but Hanau was the best trip we ever had.
Dad was stationed @ Pioneer Kaserne 37th Engineer Group, 516th Panel Bridge BN, 59-62. We lived in ‘Sportsfield’ complex down by the AYA building. I attended the Jr. High, 9th grade in Hanau, and 10-11th grade in Frankfurt American HS, as that was the sequence in those days. Played ball for Rockets, baseball and Hawks, football. Just reconnected with a couple of friends from that time which is awesome. Great ‘teen’ years and fond memories of our stay there!!!
Leon I think you were in Hanau the same time as my parent The Johnsons and me. You played for the Hawks and went to the American teen Club which my parents managed and we all had some great times together. I always wondered what happened to you and Claus Lumen and the rest. I remember you coming over to the apartment and talking to my parents. Mom passed away in 2005 and dad is in an assisted living in Tennessee. Boy its is great to see you are doing ok
Jim Johnson
Leon I’m still trying to reach all that went to the 13-19 club at Pioneer Kasern
1960-64
Jim I woild love to hear from you, just saw this post 4/30/2019
Leon, I’ve always wondered what became of you. I’m John Aufill, and you used to hand the ball off to me when we played for the Hanau Hawks in 1961, when we went undefeated. I have a lot of photos from that year, perhaps you purchased some as well from the guy who shot the games. In case you didn’t know, your backup QB, Tony Pierce, went on to pitch in the Major Leagues for the A’s. Unfortunately, he passed away a couple of years ago. I’d love to hear from you.
Dana Miller & Mike Miller Both my brother Mike & I played for the Hanau Hawks championship football team in 1963. We were first at A-Burg & beat Hanau for the AYA football championship then moved to Hanau. Went to Frankfurt American HS in 10th & 11 grade. Went to A-Burg in the 9th grade. Your name sounds familiar. Lived in Sportsfield. Dad was post Sgt.Major at Flugahorst (sp) Kaserne & got to eat lunch w/Kennedy. Myself & Mike Buskirk were walking thru Sportsfield when we heard someone yell from one of the balconies that Kennedy had been shot in Dallas. Brings back alot of good memories.
Dana, do you remember a middle school Hawks player named Cliff Lee? He was on that team, but was also an All-Star, on the team that played an All-Star game in Berlin in the fall of ’63. Dad was too recently posted in DC to go on that train trip, so Mom went. Cliff passed a decade ago.
Tom thanksfor the reply. I don’t recall the name at this time,but will try to dig out my old team pictures when Mike & I played for the Hawks. Mike passed in 2004. I remember Leon Hinton playing for the Hawks when I played for A-Burg. Leon was really good. The only trip I took to Berlin was w/ the boyscouts there in Hanau. Mike & I had a 1953 VW . I think my dad payed around a $100 for it. Had a lot of good memories, wish I had it today probably worth a lot more now.
John, I’d love to hear from you, Leon
Leon, good to hear from you. We’re getting pretty old now, huh? What became of you? I did a search a year ago, but wasn’t sure I found you. After Hanau and Frankfurt American H.S. (where else can you have graduation at a zoo?), I lived for a year in Brooklyn, then I went into the Army, went to jump school, then the rest of my three years in the 101st Airborne, 5th and 7th Special Forces. After that, I went back to Germany for a year at the U of Maryland’s Munich campus, then back to College Park to get my degree. Married, moved to Virginia, had a daughter, worked as a writer/editor, remarried, had two more daughters, now have six grandchildren (and another on the way) and two step-grandchildren. Retired and enjoying life, and still in Virginia. How about you?
My Dad was stationed at Pioneer Kaserne from 1959-1962 I attended Hanau Jr. High and Frankfurt High. We lived in the Sportfield complex and I played football for the Hanau Hawks with Leon Hinton we lost one game in three years. Hanau Rocks..
Jurgen this a friend that knew you in Hanau and played a short while with the Hawks. You were first string QB and I was 2nd string QB. My Mom and Dad ran the Teen Club there for about two years. I just wrote Leon Hinton a line it was great to relocate with you.
Jurgen,the game you lost in 1962 was to the A-Burg Raiders. We won the championship that year. I moved to Hanau & played for the Hawks in 63′ & we beat A-Burg for the championship in 63′. I’m Dana Miller ,my brother Mike also played on both teams. I still have my letter sweater from Hanau.Had a lot good memories. Remember a Hinze Teal (sp) & Klaus Luman, Mike Buskirk, Casperson brothers, Sterling Thurston, Danny houston, & a lot more but its been a long time.
I just wish the time my family live there was a beautiful life my husband soldier in hanau we lived in Sportsfield housing. My kids love it so much we have friends who come down to visited. I hope one day to visit before its all gone
Is anyone out there that was stationed in pioneer kserne from 60 to 63 that was in the 33rd ordnance ?? Remember Frank Tucker ???
I was a kid there ’62 – ’64, and posted about it above. However, I found this page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/62879755035/
I would like to share something from the Stone Age . Not long after basic training, I was shipped to Germany to a barracks just outside of pioneer Kaserne. It wasn’t long before they moved all of us to pioneer karserne and so everyday, we were trucked back to the original barracks for working and then it was back to Pioneer Kaserne.i
can not , for the life of me, remembmer the name of the original barracks name.And I can not even find it on google earth. Can someone enlighten me on the matter.
Oh, and I was there 60-63 . At pioneer kaserne
I was with the 33rd Ord. Co. 62-63.The kaserne you are referring to is Grossauhiem Kaserne outside of Grossauhiem.
Also, there was Old Argonner Kaserne, and across the highway, New Argonner Kaserne.
I was stationed at Pioneer from Oct-68 until May-70 with 568th engineer Co. 1st Platoon Sgt Summers, Sgt Gulette(sp) etal. Anybody else? Pretty boring. Always broke. Was too young and self-centered to appreciate any local culture, unless all the bar hopping counts.
I would swear I wrote this reply myself
Thank u very much for your reply.
Frank
I was stationed at Pioneer from 1961 to 1964 and this was my 1st overseas duty assignment. I was sent to Hanau with a large group of soldiers from Fort Dix and our primary reason for being here was due to the Berlin Wall. The duty in Hanau was not bad at all except for the many maneuvers we took part in. My unit was the 2nd Rocket/Howitzer Battalion, 73rd Field Artillery. I was in HQ Battery and worked at Battalion Headquarters with Sergeant Major Harry Taylor and our Battalion Commander was Colonel Robert O’Leary. Our unit was in the 3rd Armored Division (Spearhead). The most significant memory I have was the day President Kennedy was assasinated. He was in Hanau for a troop and equipment presentation shortly before he was killed. It was a tragedy we will all never forget. Looking at the photos of Pioneer certainly brought back many memories.
I was in 33rd Ord. It certainly was not bad duty. But, I was young and thought it was bad duty.
Was broke most of the time and that was a bummer ! Loved the country.
Thanks for your reply .
Bob Cote, I was only a dependent kid, but was there at the same time (see my post above.) I have pics of the Kennedy Visit on 25 June ’63 to Hanau-Fliegerhorst, but there is no way to post them on here. Was a very sad time when JFK was shot. As I said above, Dad disappeared for a week – no one knew what or who or why he was assassinated, and it might have been a move to destabilize the US Government as a prelude to Soviet-pact invasion of the West. I’m sure your unit went on high alert too. Anyway, welcome to Abandoned Kansai.
Hi Bob our paths must have cross because i was there in 1960 to 1962 i was co . Robert j . O.Leary driver Russell Rodgers a lot memories
Great post. As a former 88 mike out of Turley barracks i used to do missions to the Hanau area. Used to date a German girl named Sabrina on my first tour to Germany back in 2000. I was fortunate to do two tours over there from 2000-02 and 2006 to 2010 in Germany. Mannheim the first and K-town the second time.
So sad to see what it has become. I lived on Pioneer Kaserne from 1987 to 1989, but I worked out of Grossauheim Kaserne, it is all but gone now. And Wolfgang Kaserne as well as Patriot Kaserne look so sad just sitting there empty as well. Thank you for the pictures and memories.
Hi Troops!
I was stationed at Pioneer Kaserne from 5/72 – 5/74 (18 to 20 yrs old)
568th “Combat” Engineers.
Actually served as Unit Policeman for a time.
Remember the 11 Hostages killed during the Munich Olympics in Sept 72 (Black September)
I had several Israili Nationals as friends, they mostly worked for bars in Hanau.
Turned out most of them were secretly in the Israili Army at the time & were called home after Munich.
I remember my favorite waitress turned out to be a Major in their Army!
Last and ONLY True leader was SSG. Eggers. He came in about 3 months before I rotated. Would loved to have served with him more time & in more locations.
Lived on Economy with wife & new baby. Gross Krotzenberg (sp) past Afchaffenberg.
Rode a bicycle thru the woods 8 clicks twice a day to post.
Front Loader Operator.
Became very acquainted with locals & customs.
Now a Landscape Contractor. Pioneer’s current state was a real slap in my face.
Thanks for sharing.
Actually, I now think Gross Krotzenberg was past & outside Gross Auheim, not Afchaffenberg.
Pioneer Park has been sold to the LEG Hanau last year and now they are rebuilding the entire park into Family Homes. They will keep the housing areas (triangle housing) and will built new apartments into them. very very nice ideas! https://triangle-housing.de/
Thanks a lot for the update! I follow what’s going on with urbex in Japan quite closely, but I often lose sight of what’s happening with the locations I’ve explored in Europe.
I was there from 1984 to 1987 Feb the 8th. My first duty station. This place has a special place in my heart. So many great memories…..The Mark rate was roughly 350 to the dollar, we got fall out from chernobyl, the french put antifreeze in their wine, the coldest winter on record. I could go on forever. 71Ord in Bulding # 2….hahahah the MP’s were in Building #1.. the best years of my life….Timmy Underwood.
My father was stationed there in 1968-70. We lived in the duplexes in New Argonner. Our neighbor was Col. Paul Bloomquist – he was killed in 1971, when a bomb went off in his office building (he was entering his car out front). The German Baader-Meinhof gang claimed responsibility, and I believe some were caught.
Went to New Argonner in 1985 (was still an active base), and again in 2016. Many of the apartment buildings have been significantly renovated, and are almost unrecognizable – I think you can see some on Google Maps. The duplexes are also a mixed bag – many are very overgrown, and in need of care. The whole area doesn’t look like the Germany of the past – much neglect, and graffiti absolutely everywhere. In fact, I saw graffiti all across Germany to Switzerland on the 2016 trip.
I was stationed there 1989 – 1991 I love it had a blast
I was stationed at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, Mohawk OV1B section, from 1964 to 1965 only. Had some business to take care of from time to time at Pioneer. Wasn’t stationed there very long, but many memories.
I spent 3yrs 6months in Germany! We lived in Hanau Sportsfield From 1966-1969. I was 5yrs old along with my sisters and brothers.I started school there from 1st thru 3rd grade. My father was US Army (now deceased ret:Staff Sargent Robert C Dash). My bucket list is to return to Hanau for a vacation/visit and just maybe I can get my 2 sisters(schwester wen was geborden in Deutschland und bruder zu kommt.🤗). Are there hotels to stay? Is it safe? ist es toll? Just a few questions I have, I’m (black)American and I’ve heard rumors of blacks not well received because of immigration. I’d really like to re-visit the country of my beginnings in the near future..
Just checking and Asking…Danke von David S Dash sr ich lebe in Las Vegas
Look how popular your blog is! I was just reminiscing about living in Hanau when our dad was stationed there, 1966-1970. Back then we had a lot of off base benefits – paid for field trips all over the place. The weather was sure gloomy much of the year, cold and dark. But those castles and bakarei! Yeah. Went back in the 90s and took our kids, showed them as much as we could in multiple countries. I remember how well the housing was built. Even the door knobs, windows and hand rails were first rate. I hope they turn them into affordable housing and take good care of the grounds. Thank you for the pictures and video!
Anyone here who worked in the motorpool at Pioneer Kersern between 1971 and 1973 under SGT Countryman? The capt name was Ellis also Fsgt love. If so please tell me what unit we were in. I’m trying to get my personal records and my health records. I was the record clerk for the motorpool. I’m the guy that flipped the gamagoat down the mountain when we went on red alert
I can’t remember the name of the Post we pulled NATO Site 5 guard duty at in Hanau but it was huge. I’m not sure if this is the place or a different location.
I remember the food we brought in was awful and the guard shacks were tiny. Too small for all the guys sleeping until ti was their turn to stand watch for 2 hours. No, not much to love about the place but it was still a great experience.
Tony Davis 2/27 FA
Friedberg
1974 to 1976
Great pics that bring back fond memories of my time at the 574th PSC, from May of 69 to May of 70.
I was stationed in Hanau for 3 years . I worked on Fliegerhorst with the 3rd of 59thADA. I really loved being there had a lot of good times, really hate to hear of everything closing .I was there from Sept 74until Sept 77. I lived in the Pioneer Housing area
I was stationed there with the 699th Maint. Co. from Feb 76 – Feb 79. We were located in 3rd bldg west of the main gate. The 2d bldg with the “H” chimney was our medical/health clinic. Our commissary was straight back from the service club and theater was across the street (west) of it. I lived in bldg 319 of Sportsfield Housing. The 699th worked in the Old Argonner maintenance shops. I found by accident, a hole cut in the fencing for the Old Argonner housing area that let me wonder through some over grown brush area and across 2 train tracks, then I found myself at the Sportsfield Housing fenceline. And sure enough, someone had cut a hole in it also. So, within 5 minutes, I could be from home to work. I did go back in the mid-1980s, and the over grown brush area is now an autobahn that runs alongside the train tracks! All in all, 699th and Pioneer Kaserne was the best duty station of 20+ years!
Now I know how you got out of the shop so qcuick
I lived in the attic in temporary housing there. I was told it was housing for servants a long time ago. My parents and I had many fun memories in the attic, birthdays and Christmas. There were so many rooms – endless hallways which seemed scarey, but we did not go over there. It was strange and interesting, just part of our military housing journey.
My father was stationed in Hanau Sgt Maj Floyd E Shannon. My brother Edward Shannon went to High School in Frankfurt 1962-1965 and I (Shirley Shannon) went to Hanau Junior High School. We knew the Casperson brothers and Mike Buskirk. So good to see all of the comments. It was a sad day when we were at the movies and was told the president was dead. Will never forget.
Shirley Shannon Taylor, you and I were dependents there at the same time, though you were a few years older than I. Scroll through all the comments on this thread and see the couple I have posted, including a piece about JFK.
Did you know Cliff Lee at the JH school? He was my older brother, so 7-8 grades. We were there from Aug 62 to Jan 64; Dad got called back to the states earlier than the usual 3 year posting. And do you know anything about your Dad’s unit and duties?
If you did know Cliff, you can get to me at
tplee53@aol.com
if you’d like to converse by email.