STUTTGART TERMINAL SITE

This is in response to your email asking if I can provide any details on the Microwave site at Robinson Barracks (RB) in Stuttgart. During my time at the Stuttgart site, as you can imagine, I saw quite a few changes over the years.

When I arrived in 1968, as a 19 year old PFC, straight out of the Microwave Radio Equip Repair Course at Ft. Monmouth, NJ (MOS 26L20 at that time later changed to 26V20), the site included one small metal prefab building, a generator shelter, and of course the antenna tower. The site was in a small compound behind the Post Dispensary.

At the time, the site was part of Co. B, Sig. Bn. 360. The compound was only partially fenced and also included a Dial Central Office which was part of another Signal Unit. The compound was not a secure area.

When fully staffed, the site had an E-7 as Site Chief, an E-6 as Assistant, a SP/5 as Maintenance Supervisor and four shifts ("Tricks") of three techs each ranging from E-3 to E-5 with the senior guy referred to as the Trick Chief. Each shift also included a Tech who was a member of the German Labor Service assigned to our station. The German guys provided continuity because most were employed there for many years. We all learned a lot from our German counterparts. A few career NCO's lived off post or in Govt Housing at RB. Single guys lived in a barracks (originally built for WW2 German soldiers) a few blocks away on post. We ate in the post messhall.

As I mentioned earlier, the site had four M/W shots. These were tropo shots to KSL in Heidelberg and Hohenpiesenberg. Line of Sight shots were to Hohenstadt and Vahingen (Patch Barracks).

Sometime in the late 69, early 70 timeframe, the Company HQ in Neu Ulm was redesignated Co. C, 68th Signal Bn.

Changes over the five years I was there also included a large new building (with AIR CONDITIONING!!), equipment changes from AN/GRC-66 to AN/FRC-80, and two large 250KW generators.

As an aside, here's a funny story. Twenty-two years after leaving RB, in 1994 I was visiting Europe with my wife. While we were passing thru Stuttgart, I decided to drive up to the old site to check it out. I discovered that since 1989 the site had been operated by US Civilian Contractor employees. Anyway, I went right up to the door and rang the bell. A young civilian tech came out and I told him how long ago I had been stationed there. He let me in briefly to meet his boss and fellow shift workers and introduced me by saying "Well guys, it appears that John is one of the original owners"!!!

Walter, thanks very much for all your good work maintaining the online history of USAREUR units during the cold war. You are rendering a great service.