I just got an e-mail from a friend at my last assignment. Ray Barracks is officially closed (the Ready First Combat Team’s website doesn’t even seem to exist anymore). Here’s the scoop from Stars & Stripes. And another. Here’s an article from the Army web page.
It’s a little ironic that the guy who replaced me and shut down Det 1, 1 ASOS was named ‘Elvis.’ Ray Barracks was where Elvis Presley was stationed when he was in Germany in the Army.
And there´re more US bases in Germany waiting for their final flag ceremony. I´m wondering how long until Ramstein USAFB will be the last post of the US Armed Forces in Germany… THEN we all will speak about the “End of an Era”.
Actually, Gen Casey (Army Chief of Staff) may have just gotten Baumholder to stay open. Apparently back when he was Iron 6 (1 AD commanding officer) he told the mayor of Baumholder that “As long as Ramstein AB was open for business, Americans would stay in Baumholder.”