LUCIUS D. CLAY KASERNE

Wiesbaden Germany

Formerly Wiesbaden Army Airfield Lucius D. Clay Kaserne was new military facility built near the village of Garlstedt just north of the city of Bremen. The facilities cost nearly $140 million to construct, half of which was paid for by the Federal Republic of Germany. The 2nd Armored Division (Forward) stationed there had approximately 3,500 soldiers and another approximately 2,500 family dependents and civilian employees. The West German government constructed family housing in the nearby city of Osterholz-Scharmbeck. In addition to troop barracks, motor pools, an indoor firing range, repair and logistics facilities, and a local training area.

City of Wiesbaden

Wiesbaden is a city in central western Germany and the capital of the state of Hesse. As of June 2020 , it had 290,955 inhabitants, plus approximately 19,000 United States citizens (mostly associated with the United States Army). The Wiesbaden urban area is home to approximately 560,000 people. Wiesbaden is the second-largest city in Hesse after Frankfurt am Main.

Wiesbaden is situated on the right (northern) bank of the Rhine, below the confluence of the Main, where the Rhine’s main direction changes from north to west. The city is across the Rhine from Mainz, the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Frankfurt am Main is located about 38 kilometres (23.6 mi) east. To the north of the city are the Taunus Mountains, which trend in a northeasterly direction.

4 thoughts on “LUCIUS D. CLAY KASERNE

  1. I agree Rich since I was stationed at both bases at different times. Someone just needs to fix the page. Garlstedt was the biggest wast of money the Army ever invested. It was built in a cowfield from nothing and then just given to the Germans. I think it;s a German Army training base now.

  2. I don’t understand this page linking Clay Kaserne (in Garlstedt) and the city of Wiesbaden. They are 500 kilometers apart. After the 2nd Armored Division was inactivated in 1992 the Kaserne was turned over to the German military (and government.) The name (Lucias D. Clay) was later reused for the former Wiesbaden Army Airfield. There is no Garlstedt / Weisbaden connection.

    1. Rich,

      You are absolutely correct! I was stationed in Garlstedt at Lucious D Clay Kaserne from January 1986 through September 1987. The closest city was Bremerhaven. I was part of 2nd Armored Division (FWD).

      In addition to the US building the post and extremely limited ‘base housing’. The US also built the most amazing aquatics center I’ve ever seen and I’m a swimmer! We also gave that billion dollar swimming facility to the Germans.

      It was NO where near Wiesbaden!

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