Just a few hours north of Munich, the U.S. Army operates the largest training facility outside the United States. Once a Nazi artillery training ground, today the vast base is home to over 16,000 people. soldiers kept on combat readiness in case of immediate call.
Soldiers train in trenches and using Stryker armored fighting vehicles to maintain constant combat readiness “so that they can immediately respond to America's call” – said Hermes Acevedo, who served as command sergeant major and chief noncommissioned officer advisor to the commander of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, when he was visited by Business Insider's Graham Flanagan in April last year.
This readiness also serves as a deterrent. From Bavaria, troops can reach the Czech Republic in about an hour and Kiev – the capital of Ukraine – in about 18 hours by land. “Just our readiness and our presence here sends a message,” Acevedo said.
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He did not name a specific enemy, but the soldiers in the trenches know who they are preparing for.
As Russia's war in Ukraine continues, the U.S. military's presence in Germany is crucial. These soldiers may be among the first to enter the fight, defending NATO's eastern flank.
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From Nazi training ground to NATO pillar
The origins of the US Army Garrison Bavaria date back to before World War I, when the Royal Bavarian Army created a training area for its artillery.
This role expanded during Adolf Hitler's rule when The Third Reich used this area as the main training center of the German Wehrmacht — the united armed forces of the Nazis.
The trench where U.S. Army soldiers train at the Bavaria Garrison
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At the end of World War II, the area was taken over by US forces. Today it is the foundation of US and NATO operations in Europe.
The installation covers four main areas, including Tower Barracks and Rose Barracks. It is home to the 7th Army Training Command — which sets the standard for U.S. military operations in Europe and Africa — and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a forward-deployed land unit.
— We do not intend to be sent to an event in Europe Acevedo said. — We are already here – he added.
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The base in Bavaria is about 18 hours away from Kiev by land via Poland
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Training for a potential war with Russia
Soldiers can leave the barracks and reach the training grounds in less than two minutes, Acevedo said. On site, they train in all conditions – snow, rain, heat and cold – to develop what he calls instinctive reactions.
“It's about readiness,” Acevedo said.
US Army soldiers in Bavaria are training for a possible trench war with Russia
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The database also runs the so-called adversary forces (OPFOR) that mimic enemy tactics. — Basically, we have to behave like Russians said Private Aaron Jude, adding that they sometimes study the war in Ukraine from publicly available materials, such as social media.
OPFOR units use AK-type rifles and train in trench warfare, reflecting the realities of the conflict.
“What's amazing about this unit,” said Staff Sergeant Daniel Johnson, “isn't just that we train according to our standards, but also according to Russian standards. Honestly, it's a great way to understand your opponent.
Sensors placed on the training ground collect data, which allows commanders to analyze the results and refine their strategy. This constant feedback loop is crucial to the base's role, allowing equipment to be tested and decisions to be made under pressure.
Hermes Acevedo, former Staff Sergeant and Senior NCO Advisor to the Garrison Commander, U.S. Army Bavarian Garrison
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Self-sustaining military ecosystem
The base was designed to support both soldiers and their families. It includes over 3,400 housing units, primary to secondary schools, childcare centers and recreational facilities. Many families live both on and off base, integrating into local communities.
Soldiers from the OPFOR unit wear “black pajamas” and fight with AK-type rifles
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Acevedo said that these support systems help alleviate one of the biggest challenges for soldiers arriving from the U.S.: uncertainty.
This environment is part of what allows the base to function on such a large scale. Soldiers can focus on training and missions while their families have access to services that reflect life in the United States.
The effect is an efficiently operating rapid response machinewhich transforms a place of great historical importance into a modern military center, preparing soldiers for demanding combat.
In the US Army Garrison in Bavaria, over 16,000 soldiers are ready to fight at any time
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The above text is a translation from American edition of Business Insider
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
