Contact Information
Spangdahlem Air Base is a United States Air Force installation. It is home to the 52nd Fighter Wing, which is supported by various subordinate groups that specialize in operations, maintenance, logistics, medical and personnel support.
Situated in the western region of Germany, the small town of Spangdahlem is close to Trier – Germany’s oldest city. The base has been in operation for over 50 years, and has been crucial to American military operations in Europe.
Housing
The Housing Management Office provides assistance with housing: Government housing is available on-base, and houses and apartments may be rented off-base. Those renting off-base receive an Overseas Housing Allowance. There is also a move-in housing allowance. It is a one-time payment that helps with the cost of setting-up home on the economy.
The Furnishings Management Office provides washers, dryers, refrigerators and supplemental wardrobes – due to the lack of closets in German homes.
Medical Care
The 52nd Medical Group provides on-base medical care at the clinic. There are patient liaison officers at larger local hospitals. They provide assistance to all eligible beneficiaries that attend the hospitals.
Education & Communication
The Base Education Center is the point of contact for education-related inquiries. It handles all educational matters: From kindergarten to Professional Military Education and advanced degrees.
There are elementary and middle schools on base. The high school is at Bitburg. American children may attend German schools, but knowledge of the language is expected after kindergarten.
Employment
Employment opportunities are generally confined to on-base positions: The Civilian Personnel office, the commissary, the exchange and Non-Appropriated Funds vacancies are likely sources for paid work. There are not many technical or professional jobs. The Family Support Center offers useful Employment Assistance Programs. Volunteer opportunities are widely available.
Dining / Shopping/ Recreational Facilities
Together, Spangdahlem and Bitburg provide a commissary, a base exchange, a shoppette, a military clothing sales store, a gas station, video rentals, car rentals, new car sales, a barber shop, a beauty shop, dry cleaners, a florist and movie theaters. Eateries include Burger King, Cinnabon, Charley’s Steakery, Anthony’s Pizzas and Baskins Robbins.
There is a combined officers-enlisted club, a community center with an active theater group, a skills development center and auto hobby centers.
German Culture
Germans laws restrict noise levels: Quiet hours are observed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and also between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Lawn mowing and other noisy occupations are allowed between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., and then again between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. No noise is permitted on Sundays and German holidays. Law-breakers are subject to a maximum fine of 500 Euros.
Recycling is compulsory in Germany, and different types of items are recycled separately.
German society is very clean, tidy and well-ordered. Germans welcome visitors, and they appreciate it when visitors show respect for their values. Germans dislike littering, and they will not hesitate to point it out to anyone who drops litter on their streets.
Traveling in Germany
Germans drive on the right, just as Americans do. There is no speed limit on many sections of the autobahn, and the left lane is only for overtaking. Drivers who stay in the left lane may incur a fine.
Rail travel is an excellent way to see the country. There is a well-developed rail network: Regional trains connect smaller towns and villages, and the Intercity Express connects all major cities. The National Railway is the Deutsche Bahn.
Germany enjoys a temperate yet variable climate. There are four distinct seasons, and extremes of temperatures are rare.
