BAMBERG, Germany (April 16, 2013) -- USAG Bamberg commander Lt. Col. Michelle Bienias briefed the garrison workforce during a workforce town hall meeting and explained the way ahead toward the garrison's closure in September 2014.
"I want to ensure that the garrison workforce is synchronized with closure and that everybody understands our primary focus in the next six months," Bienias said.
Three-phased closure plan
Bienias presented the garrison's assessment tool for current and future staffing, which is updated monthly. So far all garrison services are still available, some services are covered by IMCOM Europe or USAG Ansbach personnel, Bienias explained.
The garrison successfully finished phase one of the sustainment and closure plan in March, including the reintegration of more than 1,200 "Sky Soldiers" of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. Phase one of consolidation of services started in November 2012 and was completed on 30 March 2013.
Now, the focus in phase two is shifting to base closure and the "drawdown of garrison services at a pace commensurate with the population," Bienias said. No significant change in services is expected until October 2013.
By November 2013 the garrison expects to lose half of its population due to re-stationing of units to Vicenza, Baumholder, Grafenwöhr and the Continental United States. This summer the garrison will start preparing the partial transfer of the local training area to the German Federal Assets Agency as the stakeholder of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Contracts for government-leased housing will be terminated in the summer and fall, Bienias said. The clearing and cleaning of garrison buildings will continue; Army Community Service is scheduled to relocate to the garrison headquarters, whereas the Family Advocacy Program will occupy parts of the garrison chapel building.
Phase three of the closure plan will include the final return of the garrison to the Federal Assets Agency, coordinated by a 20-person closure team, and scheduled to start October 2014.
Effective communications
AAFES is planning to consolidate the Powerzone, the Bookmart and the PXtra into the Main Exchange in October, according to the garrison commander. To better manage expectations, Bienias said to ensure that changes and reductions in services will be effectively advertised through various channels as soon as information is available. The garrison command does not control the AAFES concessionaires, she added. Several of them have terminated their contracts resulting in the upcoming closure of one of the barber shops on post, the optical shop, and the cleaners and alterations shop (as reported in the Franconian News).
"Good news is that the commissary has not planned any changes in configuration until closure. The schools also report no change for school year 2014," Bienias said.
Bienias thanked the workforce for their hard work and dedication, "I'm really proud to be part of this team of highly competent, trained and dedicated professionals," she said.
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