USAREUR Units - 11th AD Sig Bn

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11th Air Defense Signal Battalion
32nd AADCOM
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please email me (webmaster).

History

HHC

Co "A"/Det "A"

Co "B"/Det "B"

Co "C"/Det "C"

Co "D"

Related Links

Relay Sites
Eibensbach
Kalmit
Melibokus
Moenchberg
Reinwarzhofen
Zabelstein

Terminal Sites

History

1958 - 1992

11th AD Signal Battalion DI

(Source: 11th Signal Battalion Unit History)

Radio Tower
Radio Relay Site Buick
Zabelstein

The 11th Signal Battalion is a descendent of the 3181 Signal Battalion which was activated 1 July 1944 at the Western Signal Corps Training Center in Camp Kohler, California. The battalion participated in the enormous communications effort that supported the invasion and conquest of Okinawa from April to June 1945. After the war the battalion remained on the island and was redesignated as a service battalion in April 1947. The battalion was deactivated in 1950, while in Okinawa.

The battalion served next at Fort Huachuca, AZ from July 1954 through December 1957.

On November 10 1958, US Army Signal Support Company (Air Defense) was activated per USAREUR GO 345, dated November 6 1958, with duty station in Kaiserslautern (Kapaun Barracks?). The Company was assigned to the newly formed 32nd Artillery Brigade (Air Defense) with the mission of providing signal maintenance and relay communications to elements of the 32nd Arty Bde which at the time consisted of only one NIKE Artillery Group.

Per USAREUR GO 403, dated December 11 1961, US Army Signal Support Company was reorganized and redesignated as US Army Signal Support Unit (AD), a battalion size unit. Concurrently, three dets were activated:

Det A, Kaiserslautern, supporting 94th Arty Gp;

Det B, Würzburg, supporting 69th Arty Gp; and

Det C, Munich, supporting 10th Arty Gp.

Each detachment had a 3d Echelon Signal Maint Shop and operated a 3d Echelon Maint Tm at each battalion and group hqs to provide on-site support.

The name was changed to include Battalion instead of unit in 1964 and finally to the 11th Air Defense Signal Battalion, 21 November 1967, with no change in mission, per USAREUR GO 269, dtd Oct 26 1967.

In November 1975, the battalion headquarters moved with the headquarters of the 32d Army Air Defense Command to Darmstadt, Germany. The remainder of the battalion was dispersed throughout Central Germany, in continuous operation in support of the 32nd Army Air Defense Command.

By 1984 the primary means of communications employed by the 11th AD Sig Bn were multi-channel radio systems which allow the Battalion to provide voice telephone, point-to-point, and common user communications. Each multi-channel system provided up to 12 separate circuits. The multi-channel system also allowed the Bn to provide automatic data links which was the primary means used for controlling air defense assets.

The 11th AD Sig Bn completed its change-over to the new MSE equipment by April 1991. The digital MSE replaced the analog Army Tactical Communications System (ATACS). The new network operated and maintained by the 11th connected the Fire Direction Centers of the ADA Brigades with the Command and Reporting Centers. The communications between the batteries and battalions was to continue to use the analog communications system until the J-TIDS became available.

The battalion remained in Germany providing communications support until the 1992.

On 27 October, 1992, the HHC, 11th AD Sig Bn held its deployment ceremony in Darmstadt, Germany. The line units were redesignated and the colors cased:

LINE UNITS

Company A was redesignated as the 286th Signal Company and moved to Fort Polk, LA

Company B was redesignated on Aug 16 as the 57th Signal Company, under the command of the 22nd Sig Bde

Company C was redesignated as the 413th Signal Company and remained with 32nd AADCOM

Company D was redesignated as the 208th Signal Company and remained with 32nd AADCOM

HHC, 11th AD Signal Bn was inactivated at Fort Gordon, Georgia 15 January 1993.

The unit's motto was "Sure and Ready".

CORRECTIONS:

Some corrections submitted by Frederick Twombly. - The parts where the units were redesignated are transposed between C Co and D Co. I was in Delta Co. and was redesignated as the 413th Signal Company. At the time we lived on Kaupan Air Station in Kaiserslautern and then moved to Kleber Kaserne.

Signal Sites Operated by the 11th AD Sig Bn

(Webmaster Note: looking for anyone with more details on the radio relay and terminal sites operated by the 11th and its predecessor.)

SITE DESIGNATION	LOCATION	COMMENTS
AA (1980s)	CFK, Darmstadt	operated by HQ & A Co
BB (early 1980s)	Griesheim	operated by C Co; located at Terminal 52
QA (1980s)	Kleber Ksn, Kaiserslautern	operated by Delta Company in the 1980s, later by A Company
VS (1980s)	Börfink	at CRC Borfink, operated by Delta Company in the 1980s, later by A Company
YS (1980s)	Kalmit	673 m; operated by D Co in the 1980s
X-ray Sierra (1980s) ?	Melibokus	517 m
X-ray Tango (1980s) ?	Mönchberg
X-ray Tango (1980s)	Taufstein	see email from Jeff Berger
X-ray Uniform (1980s)	Melibokus	see email from Jeff Berger
	Büttelberg
Radio Relay 28	(Taunus Mts)	Near Frankfurt /Main; 1966
Radio Relay DOG	Donnersberg	at one point (1981) site was probably designated Austin Relay and operated by a Det of C Co
Radio Relay Site Buick	Zabelstein	originally known as Radio Relay 28; also known as Radio Site Falkenstein; 489m
Radio Relay Site Cadillac	(near Grafenwoehr)	operated by Co B early 1970s
Radio Relay Site Chrysler	Frechetsfeld	a.k.a. Geigenwang?
Radio Relay Site Mercedes
Radio Relay Site Mercury	Oberdachstetten
Radio Relay Site Morgan	Edenkoben
Radio Relay Site Rover	Melibokus	mid-1970s
Radio Relay Site Simca	Eibensbach	in later years known as Relay Eibensbach
Radio Relay Site Sunbeam	Mönchberg	operated by A Co Comments from Randy Leigher: While I was in Germany (1972-75), Relay Sunbeam (different location?) was part of B Company.
Bann Hill	Bann (Landstuhl)	operated by D Co in the 1980s
Radio Relay Site Geinsheim	Geinsheim
CRC Lauda "STRAWBASKET"	Lauda-Königshofen
	Griesheim
	Heppenheim	operated by C Co
	Reinwarzhofen
	Taufstein
	Wurmberg
Terminal Site 40	Vogelweh (Kaiserslautern)	operated by HHC, 11th AD Sig Bn
Terminal Site 41	Erbeskopf	operated by A Co; a German radar site and an Air Force Air Traffic Control site were also located on the mountain top (Fred Butler, 1966-1970)
Terminal Site 50	Darmstadt	Ernst Ludwig Kaserne; operated by C Co
Terminal Site 51	Wasserkuppe	operated by C Co
Terminal Site 52	Griesheim	operated by C Co
Terminal Site 60	???
Terminal Site 61	Würzburg	located in the basement of our radio maintance shop on Emery barracks (Larry Mays, 1973-76)
Terminal Site 62	Würzburg	on the hill behind Emery next to the Hawk Missile site - D Btry, 6th Bn. 52d ADA (Larry Mays, 1973-76)
Terminal Site 70	???
Terminal Site 71	Erbeskopf	billets located at Allenbach?

Over the course of the years that the 11th Sig Bn (and its predecessor) operated radio site, the sites were also given codenames such as:
Radio (Relay Site) Mercedes
Radio (Relay Site) Morgan
or
Radio Site Golf Bravo
Radio Site YS
Radio Site BB
Who can tell us more about this?

(Source: Information - Rick Anders, Germany; Map - Walter Elkins)

Comm Network in support of the 32nd AAA Brigade/AADCOM (DRAFT)

While doing research on several other topics at the German national archives, Rick recently ran across a large map of radio terminal and relay sites operated by the 32nd AAA Brigade in the mid-1960s.

The map was actually compiled by the German government as a planning tool for their involvement in supporting the communications requirements of the US Army's NIKE and HAWK sites. Although Rick was not able to obtain a photocopy of the map, he did create a hand drawn map that he was kind enough to make available to me. I have created the map on the left using his information and data from several copies of STATION LISTS from the mid 1960s.

The map is a first attempt at creating a comprehensive view of the communications network that would have been operated by the US Army's Signal Support Battalion in support of the 32nd AAA Brigade.

Input from readers (corrections, additions, explanations and suggestions) is very much appreciated!

1967

(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Jan 28 and April 11, 1967)

132 house trailers that have previously been used by Air Force families at various bases in France are now being sent to Germany to be used at 32nd AADC remote site. The 41-foot trailers will be used as housing facilities, mess facilities and ready rooms for the various missile and signal units. Almost every battery and radio relay site is scheduled to receive a number of these trailers. They will replace primarily the winterized tents currently used at these sites.

Distribution:

7th Sig Spt Bn -- 40 trailers

10th Arty Gp -- 29 trailers

69th Arty Gp -- 33 trailers

94th Arty Gp -- 30 trailers

Major James A. Vardeman is the project officer for the move. A 32-man team led by CWO Vernon Barksdale has been in Frace since last November to coordinate the paper work and movement of the trailers from France to their final destinations. (By mid April 1967, 64 batteries and radio sites had received their trailers.)

The trailers (41 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet high) have two bedrooms, a hallway with storage space, combination kitchen-living room, a bathroom, space heaters and built-in cabinets.

1971

(Source: STARS & STRIPES, June 29, 1971)

(According to personnel of the 11th) The 11th Air Defense Signal Battalion is the only tactical signal battalion outside of Vietnam that operates on a 24 x 7 basis.

The battalion is responsible for providing reliable, flexible communications support to the 32nd Army Air Defense Command over a 50,000 square mile operational area. The unit maintains 34 separate locations throughout southern Germany -- operating 79 radio relay systems and 2 troposcatter radio communications links. In addition to operating communications links, the battalion provides direct support maintenance of all signal and most electronic equipment utilized within the battalion.

The DSSA (direct support supply activity) of the 11th AD Sig Bn stocks more than 6,000 separate repair parts.

The Radio Relay School run by the Bn in Kaiserslautern provides three courses:

-- a one-week site chief refresher course;

-- a one-week orientation course for signal officers new to the command;

-- a three-week operator's course.

The school was founded in 1965 and has had more then 1,700 students take its courses.

The 11th AD Sig Bn uses communications equipment that is different from any other used by the US Army. The Bn uses "F" Band equipment linked to AN/TRC-24 radios (see NATO Radio Bands). (Therefore there is no interference with German military or commercial stations.)

The System Control (SYSCON) section is the heart of the communications network. The staff of this section is involved in realigning and re-engineering systems to meet the constantly changing needs.

The battalion operates 11 communications terminals and 13 radio relay sites that provide link-ups between the missile sites, control centers and headquarters.

Radio relay sites are typically located on mountain topsand manned by 5 to 15 military personnel. Site chief is an E-6. ll of the radio relay sites are named after automobiles, such as Ford, Morgan, and Triumph.

Radio Relay Site Triumph is located near the village of Eckersweiler. It is manned by a site chief and 7 EM.

1983

(Source: ABOUT TOWN, September 7, 1983)

O'Connor takes top post at 11th Signal Battalion

The 11th Signal Battalion provides communications support throughout central Germany. There are 19 radio sites and 17 direct support maintenance activities. The battalion's mission is communications support of 32nd AADCOM and 15 air defense artillery battalions.

Headquarters/Headquarters Company

1980s

(Source: Email from Michael Rattler)

Your info is correct of the operation of radio sites. In the late 1980s, Alpha Company was moved to Kaiserslautern and assisted Delta. HHC continued to operate TAA.

I serve with the tatical combat telecommunication center codename 'Cowboy'. The other names were

Cinnamon (Delta Company)

Cocktail (Bravo Company)

Curfew (Alpha Company)

Cricket (Charlie Company)

I saw mention of ' Strawbasket'. There were three others (the Four Horseman) . . . . one was 'Hardtire'.

NOTE: Michael is referring to the Control and Reporting Center (USAFE & GAF) sites:

Hardtire (CRC Börfink)

Strawbasket (CRC Lauda)

(Source: Email from Matt M., 11th AD Sig Bn, 1988-1991)

I was stationed there (in HHC) from July of 1988 to April 1991. The website you've put together is pretty interesting, especially the detail of the different radio sites manned by the unit I was in. I spent many days on quite a few of the sites, some I remember, some I don't (it was dark and rainy), but of those, I spent the most time at Melibokus and Mönchberg. I did go to Eibensbach more than once, and a few others as well. I was on an FM Retrans team for quite some time, and visited these sites on a weekly basis, doing our regular Comex, setting up, operating for a day or so and tearing down, repeating the process every week. A lot of time was spent on the road, traveling around and operating the mobile radio relay, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

My section sergeant and I were untouchable to a certain extent, because we had a definite "mission" to accomplish. I remember the guard dogs ("Schotze" and I made friends!) at Eibensbach, and a guy showing me card tricks at 1:30am in the morning in his van. I remember Melibokus and climbing the concrete tower to watch F-16s scream by. I remember Wasserkuppe, and looking across the border and seeing the East Germans looking back, and the high state of readiness at that site. It all had a very strong impression on me at the time. Memories to last a lifetime, that's for sure.

If my memory serves me correctly, Melibokus was X-ray/Sierra and Monchberg was X-ray/Tango. I really can't think of any of the others short of the fact that there were two additional radio sites in garrison on CFK. The NOC and the UHF rigs that ran 24/7. I don't remember the name of the site in the motorpool, but it was there.

Each company had one Retrans Team. Teams were usually two people, the team chief and one lower enlisted, sometimes a backup. The team I was on was mixed in with the RATT riggers, the radio teletype guys. I think we were two squads of about 10 people. Anyway, the rig that I ran was a CUCV, a pickup, with a soft top in the back, and a set of four FM radios on a rack in the bed of the truck, two active and two backup. Our purpose was to go out and relay FM radio traffic from two distant sites that were too far apart, or that had geographic barriers in between. We would go out, set up, turn on the radios and they would relay the traffic automatically. From one radio on one frequency, the traffic would be transferred to the other radio and sent out on another freuqency. Of couse we had secure gear and power and antennas and generators and all that too. The equipment was Vietnam era vintage so it was always breaking down. I learned to troubleshoot electronics that way!

Radio Site
Mönchberg

1. Former radio relay site, recent (KB)

2. Former radio relay site, 2005 (KB)

Company "A" (Det "A")

1963

(Source: Email from René Meier)

I am Swiss and emigrated to the US in 1962. I was immediately drafted because of the Cuban Missile Crisis. After basic training at Ft. Jackson and Spec.training at Ft.Monmouth, I was sent to Germany. (René was assigned to Det A, 7th Army Sig Spt Unit and stationed at the Donnersberg Relay Site (R1).)

After 1½-year of service, they asked me to go to West Point to the officers school. But they told me that I would most probably go to Vietnam after graduating as a Lieutenant. So I decided to go back home!

Here is a picture of me with our cat named DOG at Donnersberg.

Terminal and relay sites operated by Det A

Det A, 7th Army Sig Spt

1. Det A, Kapaun Ksn, Kaiserslautern, 1963 (KB)

2. Relay 1, DOG (KB)

3. Relay 3, Eibensbach

4. Tower at Relay 3 or 4

5. Comm van climbs narrow road to Terminal 2, Kalmit

6. Commo equip (KB)

7. Commo equip in trailer, 1963 (KB)

8. Commo equip in building, 1964 (KB)

Det A commo equipment

Who can provide details on the Radio Set displayed on the left?

Signal Sites Operated by the Det A, 7th Army Sig Spt Unit

SITE DESIGNATION	LOCATION	COMMENTS
Terminal 2	Kalmit
Terminal 2A	Erbeskopf
Relay 1	Donnersberg
Relay 2	unknown
Relay 3	Eibensbach
Relay 4	Melibokus
Relay 5	Rhaunen
Relay 6	Zwingenberg
Relay 7	Mönchberg

(Source: Email from Thomas Schulz, Germany)

Click here to see comments on the site and additional information on Utah Relay (26th Sig Bn).

Relay Site Simca

1. Relay Site Simca (KB)

2. Eibensbach radio tower (KB)

1971

(Source: Email from Paul Diaz, Co "A," 1971-73)

I want to give some input that I have not come across going thru your website. I was assigned to Co. A, 11th Sig. Battalion, 32nd AADCOM on Kleber Kaserne in Kaiserslautern between Feb.1971 to July 1973. From May 1971 to July 1973 I was put on a Radio Relay site called Relay Capri which was located in Reisenbach, Germany. The following is a link to Relay Capri - link.

We had a radio shot going to D Battery in Dallau, Germany and one to B Battery in Landau, Germany. We also had 26L ( Troposcatter ) on our site.

We had so much fun and parties during our tour in Reisenbach, the days where like Sundays and the evenings where like Saturday nights. I myself never left Germany.

Also, the type equipment that we used were both the AN/GRC-50 and TRC-24 Radios for commo between Dallau and Landau.

Only the 11th Sig. Bn. was present on site during my tour -- I also read that the 34th Sig. Bn. used to occupy this site.

1975

(Source: Email from Dan Manring, Co "A," 1975-77)

The News Beam was the unit newsletter

I was stationed with Co. A in Darmstadt from 1975-77.

I am sending you a copy of the 11th Signal Battalion newspaper, regarding the Nijmegan International Road Marches held in 1976 in Nijmegen, Holland. This is a story about the competitions to pick a team to represent the 32nd Air Defense Command and the 11th Signal Battalion in Nijmegen. The marching team consisted of members from Company A, Headquarters Detachment, and Company C. One of the pictures is of the marching team taken during the marches.

The Nijmegen march was a wonderful experience, if I had stayed in Germany I would have volunteered for the team again. The Dutch people were very friendly and treated us Americans like we were royalty. I have original newspaper clippings from the Stars & Stripes on the marches themselves. However, there is very little mentiond about the 11st Signal Battalion, only a couple of paragraphs.

The other pictures are of Company A motor pool, barracks, communications center, front gate of Cambrai-Fritsch Kaserne, and one photograph was taken of myself.

I was stationed there from October 1975 to March 1977. I have a lot of good memories of this unit, I'm sorry to see it was deactivated.

Det A, 11th AD Sig Bn

1. Cambrai-Fritsch Kaserne main gate (KB)

2. CFK and Microwave tower (far left) (KB)

3. Motor pool area (KB)

4. Co A motor pool (KB)

5. Co A motor park (KB)

6. Dan Manring (KB)

7. Entrance to Co A Motor Pool (KB)

8. Nijmegen Team (KB)

1981

(Source: Bruce Scott, A Co, 1981-85)

I spent four and a half years with A Co 11th AD Sig. The majority of that time at Relay Site Mönchberg. The old name was RS Sunbeam. Our Engineering call sign was Relay VS (Victor Sierra). I'm probably wrong but all A Company sites were "Victor," another company was "Xray," etc.

I arrived in August 1981 and left in January 1985. The concrete "NATO" tower was already there, the tactical Army tower having been replaced a year or so previously.

It was a very small site with six to eight soldiers there at any one time. The NCOIC had a single room, and all the other soldiers shared a single bay. One latrine served everyone. I brought my wife overseas after a few months and lived in Hobbach, 10 to 15 minutes down the road.

Three line of sight tactical radio systems were in place. The S-250 shelters were on the ground and powered commercially. The Dodge M 880s were parked and driven occasionally. The tactical 3kw (mogas) generators were a constant source of maintenance.

I don't want to give inaccurate information, but I'll try to recollect the three different "shots" (links). At least one (& maybe two) relayed via XS to TAA (Darmstadt) on one end, and to Wurzburg on the terminating end (I do not recall the terminal call sign). One link relayed through us from Wurzburg to Babenhausen. Wertheim may have been the terminal site for the other Darmstadt link.

1. Darmstadt to Wurzburg (via XS & VS).

2. Darmstadt to Wertheim (via XS & VS)?

3. Wurzburg to Babenhausen (TBB?) (via VS).

As for the name change from Sunbeam to VS, I do not know the exact reason for the change. The site was referred to as Relay VS (Romeo Victor Sierra) when I arrived in 1981. Old timers (& many German locals) continued to call the site "Sunbeam."

A TMP (transportation motor pool) VW vanagon from Aschaffenburg military community was our main source of transportation.

In the dark days before VHS and AFN TV, our prime source of entertainment was 16 mm movies the went traveled through the mail from Wertheim to us and on to a site I cannot recall. If no movies came in a week or so, we would call the folks at Wertheim, and pick them up directly if they had any.

I was fortunate enough to see the site be vastly improved over the years. A prefab day room was installed in 1982, and in late 1983 another prefab bldg. separated into three or four bed rooms was installed, greatly improving living conditions. During that time a remodel took place and the kitchen, dining room, latrine and "operations area" was improved/updated.

In 1984 a system of ramps were built to place the S-250 shelters on, so the site soldiers could load them on to the M 880s without wrecker support. We did deploy to the field once or twice in my final 12 months using that system.

Another signal unit operated a LOS microwave system (the reason for the concrete tower) that was remotely monitored. Maint crews showed up occasionally and opened their shelters and back up generators.

Seeing your website has brought back some great memories. Unfortunately, I won't have much time to dig anything up, or send you pictures. Tomorrow I deploy to Ft Lewis, WA for KFOR deployment.

With any luck I may get to visit the FRG in 2005 and will attempt to visit old "hangouts."

(Source: Email from Dan Bertucci)

I arrived at 21st Replacement on the 14th December 1981, first time in another country and just after completing basic and AIT at Ft. Dix NJ (home of the infantry and also closed now I understand). From there I was assigned to A Co. 11th Air Defense Signal Bn. in Darmstadt. I only spent 2-3 days in Darmstadt at A. Co. (even met the cook I was replacing, him going home, I just arriving).

The drive to Eibensbach was very long, about 3 hours from Darmstadt if I remember correctly, needless to say the first thing I saw was the tower on a site approximately 120 ft x 120 ft. square, fenced and barbed wired site with a very small building just to one side of the lot. The building had three sections, the day room where we watched AAFES movies (always first run on mail days, right out of the theatres, usually three reels that we all took turns setting up) and played card games such as Uno or Spades. The next room as you walked thru the building was the perpetually hot radio room with a fairly good sized rack of microwave equipment, very impressive and very secret (we were told to guard and/or smash all equipment and log/code books upon any kind of take over or such if possible). and then the largest of the three sections incorporated the kitchen area and two dorm type rooms, one quite larger than the other.

One sleeping area (the small one) slept two people and the larger slept from 5 to 7 (manpower came and went as tours ended). and the restroom/showers just behind that. The yard was fair sized with a large tin building that held a ping pong table and foosball table, and a few other activity style things. Next to that was a small basketball court where we spent much of our time, summer and winter. In winter we would put on our cold weather gear and have small football games on the basketball court in 2-3 ft of snow.

Germans were always walking the road up to the site and looked in with curiosity at the locked gate. There was some sort of rule that the person in charge of the gate key had to jump to alert at the moment someone showed at the gate, german or military. Germans were denied any entry to this secure site but to be very honest there were locals on a couple of occasions that we allowed in to the yard (the radios were never seen but that room was asked about more than once). We had a fantastic time and the locals that we knew seemed to like us.

Remembering the times, there were many terrorist alerts when we would actually unlock weapons (had to leave them in the rack but...) just to be ready. Many times we could hear automatic gun fire somewhwere in the distance and were told to be on guard as there were terrorist groups practicing near by. We never had a problem.

We had a pretty ethnic mix, couple of 3 white guys, 3 black guys and a puerto rican guy for most of my tour and we all got along great with an occasional rough moment. We went down the hill to Heilbronn once every two weeks if memory serves, did any grocery shopping and took care of any personal needs too. we went in too stuttgart for stereo equipment or when there were enough of us that we could warrant a trip because Stuttgart had far better stores. Everyone had a top of the line stereo at the time.

Like Henderson says in the 'Eibensbach 9' article, Sheba, the german sheppherd guard dog/mascott, was awesome, too. She was ok around a uniform but was weary around the germans and always stood her ground.

Two or three of us had personal vehicles which we had to go to Heilbronn german driving class to be able to drive. Clarence Henderson and myself bought an Audi 90 for about 1200 marks, if I remember correctly. Wasn't long before Henderson smashed it on the very windy mountain road leading to Site Eibensbach. I think we both laughed it off but it wasn't driveable anymore as Germany had a very strict law about banged up vehicles on the road.

The site was always manned, never vaccant. In fact I think atleast two had to stay while the rest took the hour or so trip into Heilbronn. We had three deuce and halfs with radio equipment on the back; 2-3 Dodge 880's and three large generators on trailers parked. We had to drive the trucks once every week as I remember and we would convoy them down to Heilbronn on that day. I personally left at least three letters of commendation hanging on the wall, the others also left they're mark. In the kitchen was a room ringed with awards for radio operations as well as food service and I look back on that time proudly.

Anyway, most of the stuff I have read from the 11th Sig guys pertained to operating radios and I hope I gave you a little different perspective. It was only a year and a half for me in Eibensbach and I'll remember that time for the rest of my life with a smile. There's probably a lot more I can tell you. It seems to come back the more I think about it. Would sure love to hear from some of the guys... Michael Brodie, Bob Etheridge (who I tought to play guitar during our stay), SSgt Zaghaschtoko, Clarence Henderson a.k.a. "Dino" (we used to box when we had an argument (with gloves of course)...

(Source: Heilbronn Community Circle, October 4, 1982)

The Eibensbach 9 - low profiles on a landmark

By Roy Chaney

Sheba paces back and forth across the freshly-mown lawn, pausing occasionally to inspect a given area of grass. Finding a suitable resting place, she flops down and stretches out under the bright morning sun.

Sheba, a GI stationed at the Eibensbach remote communications site, wants her tummy scratched.

"She's been up here longer than anyone else around," says Pfc. Danny Bertucci.

Sheba has over 12 years in the service, and all 12 have been spent at Eibensbach, where she works in the security section. Recently she received the honorary rank of first sergeant. She likes her job. She gets to meet people.

"She'll get on the Germans," says Spec. 4 Dino Henderson, "but if you're in uniform she'll keep her distance. Besides that, she's lazy."

Henderson adds, "She came up here as a puppy."

Henderson and Bertucci are just two of the nine soldiers who, along with Sheba the guard dog, man the Eibensbach remote communications site. The soldiers, assigned to A Co., 11th Air Defense Signal Battalion in Darmstadt, keep a lonely vigil on a hill overlooking Eibensbach; a 24-hour-a-day duty comprised mainly of insuring the continued operation of communications equipment that is continually operating.

The Eibensbach communications tower, somewhat of a local landmark in itself, stands out conspicuously in the tree-covered, comparatively flat land around the town of Eibensbach. The tower, owned by the Deutsche Bundespost, also serves the U.S. Army.

The nine enlisted soldiers at Eibensbach (the highest rank in the compound is the station's Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC); a sergeant first class), are assigned the task of keeping the American communications equipment functioning; 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.

"We all live in here," says Spec. 4 Charles Caldwell, pointing to the small building that serves as the barracks, headquarters, recreation center, dining facility, and primary duty station for the soldiers.

Physical training at the site is made easier with the presence of a combination basketball, tennis, and volleyball court within the perimeter. Running down the long, winding road that leads to the site is also an available form of PT, as is running back up the hill.

"We usually run PT," explains Henderson, "most of us play basketball or volleyball."

The Signal soldiers are understandably wary when they first hear of their assignment to Eibensbach. "I didn't know what to expect," recalls Caldwell, "but when I got here, I liked it. I'm trying to extend now."

As with the other soldiers working on the top of the hill, Caldwell was screened by his Darmstadt headquarters before receiving his Eibensbach orders.

They were looking for "people who can assume the responsibilities," states Caldwell.

"You have to keep a low profile - stay out of trouble. You have to be pretty well 'at ease.' "

On a semi-regular basis, A Co. supervisors send an expedition out to the hill to verify that the profiles are indeed being kept low, and that the soldiers are . . . keeping the radios going; keeping the place up to high standards at all times," says Caldwell, adding that with such a small group of soldiers, working together on a never-ending mission, everybody does their fair share without too much grumbling.

"We're kinda close here," Caldwell continues, "We eat together, wake up together . . . it's sort of like a family."

Bertucci, the Eibensbach food specialist, agrees that a family atmosphere is evident around the house.

"It's just like cookin' for a family," says Bertucci, as he folds table napkins in preparation for the noontime meal. The refrigerator is well stocked, and the sparkling-clean kitchen would be the envy of any suburban mop-wielding housewife.

After compiling the week's menu, Bertucci does the shopping at the Heilbronn Commissary. While most Army kitchens deal in pounds and gallons, Bertucci works with ounces and teaspoons, although in some cases, the bulkmindedness of military cooking prevails.

"We just buy a whole side of beef," he says, "we've got a meat freezer in the storage room."

But, as in a family, complaints are still zinged across the dining table towards the kitchen. However, "they're mostly familytype complaints," says Bertucci, as he places the last folded napkin on top of the stack.

After dinner, the off-duty soldiers can retire to (what else?) the den to watch AFN, or sample an ever-increasing collection of Army technical (Tech) tapes. Or they can dust off the movie projector and watch the latest films on the AAFES theater circuit, which are sent directly to Eibensbach from the Heilbronnarea theaters.

"Since we don't have the PX or the theater close by," Bertucci surmises, "we've got to have something to do up here."

Company "B" (Det "B")

1961

(Source: Email from David F. Whereatt)

The name of the site that you knew it by depended upon when you were assigned to the organization. I was assigned to Det B, 7th Army Sig Sup Unit in Wurzburg from July 1961 to late 1963 when I was reassigned back to the States.

I arrived at Relay 10 in January 1962 as an Acting Jack with the pay of a young SP4. I remember the Site as a very new, muddy site carved out of the top of a German ski slope. Needless to say, that did not set very well with the Germans!! The site had been established in late 1961 and utilized TRC-24 relay equipment. We had a couple of trailer houses that came in from France for quarters. A Squad tent served as the supply area. The high winds had the tent in a state of collapse most of the time. The trucks with the '54 vans were parked at the base of the seventy foot pole with the antennae mounted in the upper area of the pole. The generator sets (5KW gas units) were parked near the trucks.

The site was not able to maintain a "low profile" because of the mess the engineers had made bringing the site access road in and the fact all that equipment was parked at the top of the ski slope. The place was wild on weekends when thousands of Germans would come to the slope to ski. We took our meals at the German Gashouse at the bottom of the large German Post Office Towers.

In July (or August) 1962 we began the move to another location about a Kilometer from there to the location the NATO building was built on. The tower was an AB-216 microwave tower that the site personnel erected. It was erected high enough to clear the trees with the line of site "F Band" antennae. Our quarters were Quonset huts. Far better than the first mess on the ski slope. This site was accepted by the Germans and things went well.

We were provided support by a Hawk Battery in Butzbach.

Our Det B commander was Capt Parlon L McGivern. The platoon leader was Lt. Jack W. Dice (later transferred to Armor). There were normally seven assigned to the site.

Breungeshain was the village at the bottom of the ski slope. The Forstmeister for the Volgsberg Forest lived there. It had a bath house we frequented on Saturday afternoons, as it was only open Saturday afternoons.

The original site was on (SP) Horoskopf just a hundred meters or so from the big Bundes Post towers that are still there today.The site was moved over to the southern side of the hill that Taufstein turm stands on. I believe Taufstein was @ approx 778 meters. The site was about fifteen meters below that elevation. Schotten was off in the direction towards Frankfurt.

We would go through there to and from Butzbach, unless we were coming from a movie film exchange from Bad Nauheim, then we would come in from the Giessen direction. To get off the "hill" one had to go all the away around your thumb to get started down country.

I believe Bristol came about when the NATO site went in. The original "COUNTY" in that area was Schotten, however, after I left the site in late '62, it was changed to VOGELSBERG with plates showing "VB".

The "'54" vans were in fact the MRC-54's. We did not have a '73 drop, just relay functions. We shot to Relay 11 @ LOHR, or GEUMUNDEN am LOHR as we knew it back then. We has a shot to Relay 33. Another one went to Hanau. I believe the Battery in Butzbach was from 6th of 59th with HQ in the Hanau area.

We were always supporting field problems when batteries would deploy out. We often supported "Test Shots" as new areas were being looked at for possible backup sites and also test shooting for battery field problems. I have been going through some of the other areas and I can answer some of the outstanding questions.

Chain was 6/59:
Charcoal was 3/7:

The Det A radio equipment pictured that you are asking about is a Siemens UHF product that was used mainly by the "K-town" group and tied 69th to 32nd. There was a set running at the Cocktail terminal at the Emery air strip terminal next to A Bat 6/52. On one of your pages, there is a picture of the Horodkopf Bundespost site. Look at the square wooded area in the pront portion of the picy\ture. On the right end of that wooded area is where the original Relay 10 was located. The first "trail" coming across the field is the route the engineers took to plow in the access road for the site.

(Source: Email from Daniel W. Efirt, Jr. -- photos from Frank Monaco)

Site Sign near entrance

I first went to B Company, 7th Army Signal in Dec 1964. I was assigned to Terminal 4 located at Giebelstadt Air Force Base. At this time we were the terminal for 6 systems. Using the old FDM equipment: AN/MRC-69's (Radio terminal set).

If I recall correctly the systems were as following:

Cocktail 1, 2 & 3 - no relays - to Wurzburg (Terminal 3)

Cat 13 - no relays - to Giebelstadt across the air strip

Challenge 19, Relay 31 to Ansbach 4/57 ADA

Cocktail Alpha, Relay 14, 12 & 16 to Terminal 6 and

T-6 had a system to Relay 19 to Bad Aibling.

Relay 12 Buick
Relay 14 Falcon
Relay 16
Relay 19 Imperial

Some corrections:
Relay 14 should be Relay 32 (Falcon)
Terminal 6 was outside of Landshut, east of München (Cocktail Alpha)
Relay 19 (Imperial) was 2 miles east of Warngau, on top of Taubenberg.

The system terminated at Bad Aibling; also, there was a system at T-4 named Charcoal.
So, that means we had seven systems at T-4

Webmaster Note: compare the call signs used for the comm links to radio relay sites with the call signs assigned to the various ADA battalions attached to the 69th ADA Group (see 94th ADA Gp Command & Control Page)

Also, B Co had a relay site across the river in Wurzburg I think its name was Opel.

A 412-L was at Giebelstadt. It was a joint Missile Control Center, manned by US Air Force & US Army personel. The 69th GP had a section at Giebelstadt out of HQ & HQ of 69th GP. I was told that the MCC at Giebelstadt moved to Lauda, west of Giebelstadt and closer to Relay 32 (Falcon).

T-4 was located at the MCC 412-L at Giebelstadt. At Terminal 4, we had the MRC 69s and PU 685 water cool 5KW generators and the CE 106 water cooled 10 KWs. We made our own frame until we got a small patch panel. We also had an extra 69 that 3 of us would go out on test shots. Our site NCOIC was W. E. Raines Sgt (E5).

T-6 was by itself.

Cocktail Alpha was at Landshut
Cat 21 was within the Btry at Giebelstadt
Charcoal 24 ??
Challenge 19 was located at the HQ 4/57 Arty, at the BCC just outside of Katterbach (Ansbach)
Cocktail 1, 2 & 3 were on the hill behind Emery Barracks, Wurzburg

Terminal 3 had systems going to C Co.

Daniel W Efird Jr. 1SG (Ret)

B Co, 7th Army Sig Spt

Photos are from Frank Monaco, Terminal 4 , B Co

1. Terminal 4 (KB)

2. (KB)

3. (KB)

4. 412-L Radar site at Giebelstadt (KB)

5. (KB)

6. (KB)

7. Relay 11 (KB)

8. Relay 32 (KB)

9. Relay 32 (KB)

10. (KB)

11. (KB)

12. (KB)

13. (KB)

14. (KB)

15. Barracks B Co, 7th Army Sig Spt (KB)

16. (KB)

17. (KB)

1965

(Source: Email from James Nelson, 1965-67)

Sp4 Carter from Georgia sits in one of the tents that served as living quarters

The radio relay station with the walk up tower (that you show in the History section) I helped put up in the summer of 1966, before I was transferred to Terminal 51 at Wasserkuppe.

Radio Relay Site 28 was the original name of the site. It was part of 7th Army Sig Spt Bn.

I was at that site from May of 1965 thru July of 1967. I was an SP4 at the time. We lived in tents with wooden walls on the inside.

Radio Relay 28
Zabelstein

1. Original tower (KB)

2. New tower constructed in 1966 (KB)

3. Living quarters (KB)

4. Radio van trucks (KB)

5. 30KW generators (KB)

(Source: Email from Robert Paul, HHC, 7th Army Sig Spt Bn, Apr 1966 - early 1967; B Co, 7th Army Sig Spt Bn, early 1967 - Apr 1968)

I was stationed with HHC, 7th Army Sig Support Bn at Kapaun Bks, Kaiserslautern, Apr 1966. I was a mechanic.

Went to Etain, France in Dec 1966 TDY with a group to bring back trailers for the relay sites (see STARS & STRIPES information). Then went to B Company at Emery Kaserne in Würzburg, early 1967 ---- was assigned to a mobile mechanic team. We serviced Relays Cadillac, Chrysler, Imperial.

Finally, got permanent duty at Relay Chrysler until Apr 1968 when I was sent to Vietnam.

Since you are going to post this I will give you some more info ---- the Co B motor pool photo shows the old original german motor pool maint shop from WW2. All the windows in the shop were painted black so they could work at night during air raids. It even had the work pits in the floor to drive the vehicles over so you could work under them.

The guy in the photo at Relay Cadillac opposite me on the right side is Gordon Kirchoff----he was the maint team leader.

HHC, 7th Sig Spt Bn
Kapaun Bks, Kaiserslautern

1. Main Gate, Oct 1966 (KB)

2. (KB)

3. (KB)

4. (KB)

B Co, 7th A Sig Spt Bn
Emery Bks, Würzburg

1. Emery Bks, 1967 (KB)

2. Maintenance Shops (KB)

3. (KB)

Terminal 62
Würzburg

1. Terminal 62, B Co (KB)

12. HAWK site at Würzburg (KB)

Relay Cadillac
Reinwarzhofen

1. Relay Cadillac Sign, 1967 (KB)

2. Relay tower at Cadillac (KB)

3. Radio van (KB)

Relay Chrysler
Geigenwang

A.k.a. Relay 16

1. Relay site from atop of tower (KB)

2. Former house trailers at radio site (KB)

3. Surrounding area under snow (KB)

4. Day room (KB)

Relay Imperial
Taubenberg

A.k.a. Relay 19

1. Relay Imperial, June 1967 (KB)

2. (KB)

3. Mess and day room (KB)

(Source: Email from Mike Thomas, Co B, 1967-69)

The best I can remember, Company B had sites that were called: Mercury, Chrysler, Buick, T-61 (major relay site in Wurzburg), plus another 7 or 8 sites with American car names -- as far south as the Bad Tolz area. I served in the company from June 1967-April 1969. Unfortunately, I can't remember the other names.

I do remember some of the officers and NCO's:

1LT. Ron Turner

2nd LT. Ron Edwards

1LT. Ron Kinney

SFC James Russell

SFC Danny O'dell

SGT Stan Bailey

SGT. MacDonald

SP4 Dan Euell

At the time, the commander of the 69th ADA Brigade was Col. Babers. We were collocated with the HQ's of the 69th at Emery Kaserne; most of the married Soldiers lived at Leighton Barracks, a few miles away from Emery.

I remember we played hard and we worked hard. I learned how to be an officer from SFC's Russell and O'Dell.... they were old time NCO's, who knew how to lead and how to train young lieutenants.

At any rate, I enjoyed my time, learned a lot -- that helped immensely when I went to RVN in 1969/70. I recall many trips visiting the Soldiers who lived in tents, Gasthaus's, and in host family houses on the isolated mountain tops in the area.

1970

(Source: Bill Caloia, B Co, 1970-72)

I was stationed at Co B, 11th AD Sig Bn from Sep 1970 until April 1972. I was the PLL Clerk, MOS 76U20 , Communications-Electronics Repair Parts Specialist, even though I was assigned at first to work on the TRC-129A Troposcatter Radio System (MOS 26L10) made by Collins Electronics.

We were stationed in Wurzburg at Emery Kaserne. I supported all sites with Electron Tubes and related electronic repair parts. I was a better parts clerk than I ever was a tech.

When I first got to Wurzburg, I was assigned as a Tropo Scatter radio operator in MOS 26L20 which was what I was trained in at Ft. Monmouth in 1967-68. I never worked in that MOS unti I got to Germany in Aug 70.

Since I had already worked as a Tech Supply Specialist at a HAWK Missile Battery in Korea, when out clerk was rotating back to the States, I took over the job. I had a list of regulations and manuals to post changes in, and I had a Cardex bin. This was the record of all transactions involving the issuance of Prescribed Load List (PLL) items. It stated the NSN, Description, Classification Code and location. The card had fields for manual entries of all in and out transactions. I also had a running log book for the Site Chiefs to sign out everything they took.

I maintained a group of parts referred to as "running spares" which were commonly used, low value electron tubes and other components not requiring formal documentation. Of course, I had to keep the place clean and neat and First Sgt Bob Warford was anal about neat and tidy. Once I learned his system, I had no trouble from him and we got along fine. I even got to pick my days pulling CQ (I was a SP4 at the time).

1981

(Source: Rick Newfer, 1981-83)

I was stationed on Radio Relay Site Zabelstein, from Jan. 1981 until June of 1983. Our radio call sign was WHISKEY SIERRA. Our other sites were WHISKEY TANGO, WHISKEY VICTOR and at this moment there is one more which the name eludes me. Our Company radio site was in Wurzburg. It's call sign was GULF BRAVO.

I was on the site until they started building the new site in the spring of 1983, behind the old site. At the time our site chief was Staff Sergeant Christopher Chandler. Ssome of the other members were Dale Falsgraft, Theodore Enlow, Michael Adams, Sergeant McGraw, Rick Judy, Sergeant Gibson.

Our living quarters were in a small town at the base of the mountain, Donnersdorf. It would take about 10-12 minutes to get to the site, from the house. At the time we were the only site in our company that ran on generators. We had two 30Kw generators that we had to fill with diesel at the end of the shift. We had to use 5 gallon jerry cans. We had to go into Schweinfurt, everyday to sign out our vehicle.

I remember an entry from PFC Katherine Bartelle, about REFORGER 82, I remember a incident. We received the heads up that we were going to have aggressors attack the site. With us up on the top of the mountain. We had the best vantage point. We sent out patrols to both ends of the hill and we laid and waited for them. I do know that they didn't have much info on the site lay out. In the photos of Zabelstein, you can see the German site next to us. The German site had a 3 foot fence on three sides of it. On the back, it was against our 12-foot fence. The attack force jumped the little fence they thought they had it made. That they were on our site. What they didn't know that we had time to put TWO M-60 machine gun nests. When they came around the German building they were caught in the cross fire. Were they surprised. Our site received a letter of commendation.

(Source: Email from Herbert Hept who served with a German Bundeswehr engineer unit)

There was a radio site from 1st Platoon, Company B, 11th AD Signal Battalion near my hometown (about 4 miles away) on the top of the hill named Zabelstein in the Steigerwald. The designation of the site during the 1970's was "RELAY BUICK" , in the early 1980s it was "RADIO SITE FALKENSTEIN" and during the last years (about 1985-91) it was called "RADIO SITE ZABELSTEIN".

I have a lot of photos from the years 1973-1988. During many CPX`s, Company D, 34th Signal Battalion (VII Corps) was at the site with radio shelters on 2-½ ton trucks . I'm especially interested in any information about this specific "RADIO SITE", because I had some friends up there. (I guess this was the "kick-off" for my interest in "army-stuff").
Viele Grüsse aus Germany
Herbert Hept

Radio Site
Zabelstein

1. Former radio relay site, 2004 (KB)

(Source: Email from Randall "Randy" Leigher, 1972-75)

I have a lot of photographs of my 3 years in B Co. My wife put them away someplace safe. As soon as she locates them I can prove some of my corrections.

Also please understand 1972-75 was a long time ago, it is possible my memory went along with my hair.

In your list of Kasernes located in Wurzburg, when I was there the military had 4 plus a hospital. You do not list Faulenberg Kaserne. My spelling of it might not be correct. (Webmaster Notes: Randy is correct. Faulenberg Kaserne has been added to the Kasernes list.)

In the list of relay stations it shows Relay Sunbeam as being run by C Company. I suppose it is possible that C Company had it's own relay Sunbeam, but I doubt it. While I was in Germany, Relay Sunbeam was part of B Company. My job made me travel a lot in Germany and I was sent to Relay Sunbeam a bunch of times.

If it matters all of B Companies Relay sites were named after Automobiles. I remember questioning why Relay Sunbeam was different. I seem to remember being told that Relay Sunbeam used to be called Relay Ford? And I think they mentioned something about a fire? But do not hold me to the fire and the name Ford as I have no proof.

In your list of B Company relays I do not see Relay Cadillac? Since it is not on your list it has me wondering if I am confuseing Cadillac with the name Chrysler. But I looked at some maps last night and Chrysler is right where I remember it being located, near Regensburg. Cadillac I seem to remember was the furthest relay from B Company's location in Wurzburg. I seem to remember that due to it's distance from Wurzburg that they sent generator and vehicle mechanics to permanently stay at the site to ease the repair situation.

You show a list of Terminals. Here is where I need my pictures to really help my memory. B Company was located at Emery Kaserne and behind the Kaserne on top of a big hill was our main Terminal which I am pretty sure was named Terminal 62. It was inside of a Hawk Missile Battery.

This may not matter and it is just my opinion based on what I saw. Emery Kaserne had a main gate that had pillars made of granite. I remember staring at a section on the pillars while waiting for taxis. The rock at one time had a name chiseled in it. Even though it had been ruined apparently on purpose, to me you could still make out what looked like the word Hitler Kaserne. So I have wondered if in the past before it was Emery Kaserne if it had the name Hitler Kaserne.

Also on the hill behind Emery Kaserne next to the missile battery and Terminal 62 was an air field with buildings. I used to ride dirtbikes down the runway. Anyways I do not remember the name of the runway but there were Army Helicopters there when I first arrived at Wurzburg. I would go to the airfield and watch them working on them. I did not see any reference to this on your Germany site although I might have missed it.

I keep in touch with some people who were stationed with me at B Company and even 1 person who was at 11Sig HQ Company in Kaiserslautern. When I next talk to them I will bring your site to thier attention and I will bug them about my memory on certain things.

1982

(Source: The News, October 1982)

Signallers 'get the job done'

By Mike Vitullo

Even when everything was up, all the systems were in and the equipment seemed to be in a good state of repair, there was still not time for the soldiers of Company B, 11th AD Signal Battalion to relax during REFORGER '82 -- the equipment still had to be manned 24 hours a day, guard duty had to be pulled continuously around the perimeter, and KP just made things worse for signallers without much rank.

Co. B, 11th Sig. Bn. has one of the most difficult missions for a signal company in USAREUR. They provide the soldiers and equipment needed to enable the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade headquarters to communicate with 32 AADCOM and the brigade's four battalions (3/7 ADA, 2/57 ADA, 6/52 ADA, and 3/60 ADA) in the garrison and in the field. Because the four battalions, 32d AADCOM and 69th ADA Bde. are spread out from Darmstadt to Grafenwoehr, it's a tough job for just a single signal company, especially in the field.

But Co. B signallers proved during RE FORGER '82 that even though they're only a signal company, they can handle their mission, and handle it well.

"This is one of the most successful exercises we've ever had," said Capt. Robin Hanson, Co. B's operations officer. "Everything's gone beautifully. Commo has been steady, every problem has been answered and my people have been given 150 percent. Basically, 69th ADA Bde. has had good commo," she said.

In order for 69th ADA Bde. to have good communications, close to 100 Co. B personnel worked long hours for the two weeks of REFORGER '82. "You don't get much sleep," said Sp4 Valerie Washington who worked an AN/TRC 145 commo van during the field problem. "With the guard duty, the 24-hour manning, and working to get our UHF shots in after we jumped, I figure I've missed a couple of nights sleep," she said.

Co. B is comprised of several different sections but all the sections have the unified goal of providing good commo for the brigade headquarters.

Sgt. Kenneth Golston heads the Quick Reaction Force for Co. B. The ORE is an advance communication party that is actually a self sufficient commo unit. "It's a pretty unique mission;" said Golston. "Whenever the group moves, we've got to be the first to jump. I've got 17 people who can move into a new site and set up quick communications."

Another part of the Co. B mission is the message center that sends and receives teletyped messages. "All the messages we receive are for 69th ADA Brigade," said PFC Tony Loudermilk. "We receive them, log them and then deliver the message by hand to 69th Bde. They then give us messages and we type them up and send them out."

But even with the best UHF multi channel operators, communication center operators, technical circuit controllers, and radio and teletype operators, there are problems that only the maintenance personnel can work out. And, with all the equipment that Co. B has, there's plenty of maintenance to be done on trucks, electronic gear and generators.

To power all of their equipment in the field, Co. B relies on hundreds of generators and because of that, Co. B relies on Sp4 Kenneth Driggers, the company's chief generator mechanic.

"These generators break down right and left," said Driggers, "and there aren't too many people who really know how to fix them so I'm constantly humping. But it's a good job for that reason. They really appreciate me when I get a generator going."

For PFC Katherine Bartelle, REFORGER '82 was her first field problem. "I actually liked it," said Battelle. "If a system goes out, we have to work to get it back in. If a piece of equipment has been running a long time, something may go out.

"What I really like about it is that we can get the job done, and when 69th ADA Bile. has good communications they know we're doing the job," said Bartelle.

(Source: Email from Gary Standridge)

Radio Site Reinwarzhofen was operated by B Co, 11th Signal Battalion out of Wurzburg during my stay from 1983 til 1986. I was stationed there for an extended tour and loved every minute of it.

I was there again in June of 2005. A town I never thought would grow has grown from 4 houses to aproximately 40 houses. Our barracks, or guest house that the government supplied for us, is now a privately owned home. It is a different town now.

Company "C" (Det "C")

1964

(Source: STARS & STRIPES, Oct 18, 1964)

Relay 10

Relay 10 is operated by a small detachment of Company C, 7th Army Signal Support Battalion. It is located on a hilltop somewhere in Land Hessen. (The site is about 70 miles from Company headquarters.) The site is a vital link in 7th Army's largest communications network, a network that ties together the far-flung air defense missile units of the 32nd Arty Brigade in southern Germany.

Manned by seven enlisted personnel, and encompassing a piece of land only 250 feet wide and 300 feet long, the site operates 24 by 7, relaying ADL (1) information, teletype messages, and voice communications between brigade units and higher headquarters. ADL permits instant, coordinated response, hundreds of times faster than the voice transmission of target information.

A black quonset hut serves as barracks, mess hall and day room. The equipment is located in truck-mounted electronics vans at the foot of the radio tower.

Water for cooking, drinking, shaving and washing has to be brought in by tanker. For showers, the men have to go to a nearby German village.

(1) ADL - Automatic Data Link - is the method of transmitting digital data automatically between firing batteries and command and control facilities. Information transmitted includes number and identification of targets; altitude and azimuth data; firing orders. The use of ADL provides the ability to update targets simultaneously on radar scopes in the firing batteries and on the plotting boards at the control centers; it also ties together long-range radar with short-range radar.

1972

(Source: Email from Bob Wilkinson, 1972-75)

I'm going over to Europe next week (first time in 28 years) and wanted to revisit my "Charlie" Company HQ in Darmstadt.

In reading your site I have some knowledge on some of the "C" Company Terminal Sites as I was the Terminal Officer for the Company. Terminal 52 was just outside Darmstadt (Webmaster Note: could this have been Griesheim?). Terminal 50 was in the Ernst Ludwig Kaserne in the basement of the "C" Company barracks. Terminal 51 was on a hill near the East German border called Wasserkuppe, not too far from Fulda. It overlooked the East German bordeer and at times we could see East German maneuvers going on. Wasserkuppe was the old home of the German Glider School from WW2. When I was there (1972-5), they gave(sold) rides on gliders of which I did partake. While in the air I realized that I could cause an international incident if we landed on the wrong side of the border. Fortunately, we landed on the West German side, but that was the last time I did that. Terminal 51, though a couple of hours drive in my Fiat Special from Darmstadt, was the most exciting of the Terminal sites because of it's location and the beauty that went with a country mountain far from anywhere. In the hotel that I frequented when I spent the nights there, there was a room that had an autographed picture of Neil Armstrong. It was a lovely place back in the 70's. There were many radar under the domes (I think there were three huge domes) so as not to give away what was on the hill/mountain. I enjoyed my time in Germany and am looking forward to seeing the Kaserne even from the street.

Radio Site Falkenstein

1. Entrance to site (106 KB)

2. Trucks parked at site (114 KB)

3. Ops building and tower (116 KB)

4. More trucks (103 KB)

5. Trucks and POVs next to tower (147 KB)

(Source: Email from Robert Ortloff, C Co, 11th AD Sig Bn, 1973-74)

I was drafted 24-Aug-72 and did my basic with E-5-2 at Fort Polk, La. A.I.T. was at Fort Belvoir, where I was trained as a 52-B-30, Mobile Generator Mechanic. All but two of my classmates either went to Vietnam or Korea. The other two went to Germany and I was to stay as an instructor at the Engineering School.

After PO'ing an E-6 in personnel, on 07-Apr-73, I found I was Fort Dix bound and heading across the Atlantic instead of going to Fort Lee and Instructor school. At Dix I was given a list of units I could volunteer for duty with. I requested a Field Artillery unit located near Stuttgart where one of my classmates was assigned. I was assigned to HHC, 11th ADA Signal.

First stop was Rhine-Main AB, Frankfurt a.M. After in-country orientation I left for K-town, where they already had sixteen too many of my MOS and did not want another. (The unit my friend was with in Stuttgart was hurting for my MOS.) I was asked what I did before I was drafted, I told them I was a policeman. Immediately I was assigned to C Company and was heading back toward in the general direction that I had just come from.

Arriving at ELK, I was attached to HHC, 10th ADA Group and assigned to the Unit Police. C Company was required to assign one person to the Unit Police and this played havoc with their work assignments. They looked at me as a gift and as one less headache. We worked twenty-four on, forty-eight off everyday until I left on 14-Aug-74 to go back to Fort Dix and home two days later. It was a very uneventful assignment.

Both 11th Signal and 10th Artillery were very professional units and had some of the best personnel in Europe. The 94th Construction Engineers left a lot to be desired, but with out them the UP's would have died of boredom.

Other posts in the area were Kelly Barracks which was about a click down the road toward Darmstadt. I remember the 5?? Combat Engineers were there. I do not recall if there was any other units at Kelly. Both Kelly and ELK were very small posts. I believe we had five building and a motor pool area. The 10th had one, the 11th had one and 94th had the rest. The motor pool was shared. The main post in the area was Cambri-Fritsch (I am not sure of the spelling.) Kaserne (CFK) in Darmstadt. I remember that the Dispensary, Commissary and PX were all at CFK, but I do not remember any of the units that were stationed there.

I lived off post with my wife and my first daughter was born at the 97th General Hospital at Frankfurt. Living off post and having the duty schedule that we had, I really was not part of either 11th Signal or 10th Artillery. I reported directly to the Group commander and the Sergeant Major and no one else.

I was assigned as one of two Second Shift watch commanders and was given the rank of acting Sgt. Officially, I was an Spc/4.

So other than being called back to duty twice after active duty discharge that is my entire military history. I did read your page about the 11th Signal. Very informative. I had always wondered what we did. I was sorry to hear that the unit stood down in 1992.

(Source: Email from Mike Kitner, "C" Co, 11th AD Sig Bn, 1974-76)

First off let me start by thanking you for setting up this web site, it is great!!!

I was with Charlie Company of the 11th AD SIG Battalion from early 1974 to late 1976. Other than a few days of initial briefing at HQ in Darmstadt, I spent the entire time at Melibokus - or Relay Rover, as it was also called back then. Many, many fond memories of the people I worked with on the mountain those couple of years and also of the many locals I got to know so well - one of which I brought home with me!!

I lived on the site for the first 6-12 months I was there and then spent the better part of the next couple of years living in various apartments in the area and commuting up and down the hill.

I have been back "on the mountain" several times over the years, usually trying to go up and look around when we go over to visit my wife's family. Much has changed at the site since I was there some 30+ years ago. I do have some pictures of the Melibokus site that I will try to digitize and forward to you for posting.

It's difficult to remember much about the rest of the company. I do recall going to a couple of our other sites, but can not remember which ones they were. A few things I can remember:

- We changed from the old FDM (frequency division multiplexing) tube type equipment from the Korean era to the "new" PCM (pulsed code modulation) equipment around 1975.

- We were harassed occasionally by the "terrorist groups" of the period, namely the Red Brigade and Baader Meinhof groups. There was a fair amount of terrorist activities in Europe back then from these groups. We were never hit on Melibokus while I was there but it seems like one of our other sites may have gotten fire bombed?

- Just outside of the perimeter fence on Melibokus there was another US unit that operated a small communication station. Don't quote this as fact but I think I remember the unit as the 440th but not sure who they were associated with.

- We had annual visits by other NATO units who would come up on Melibokus and set up for training periodically - including the Dutch Army - complete with their pony tails!

And mostly my fond memories of the different people I worked with over the years - and have never heard from again!!! If any of you guys ever get to this site and see this drop me a note please -- Andy, Jeter, Artus, Montoya, Jack, McDermott, Clark .....

Radio Site Melibokus

1. The site (KB)

2. The "new" tower (KB)

3. The crew (KB)

4. The view (KB)

1979

(Source: Email from Iram Betancourt, Co C, 1979-1982)

I was there from July 1979 till July 1982, we were in ELK at that time, where I worked in the Tech-Con Section (Operations). It was great duty at first, working out of Bravo-Bravo in Terminal Site 52 in Griesheim; 12 hour shifts either 0800-2000 or 2000-0800, troubleshooting faulty systems or circuits. I had to worry about the ADL, IRR, Maint,or TACOPS lines going to the Q-73. This is where I learned the meat and potatoes of MOS 31N and 31M. We'd be in deep doo-doo if anything went out past 15 minutes.

My Bn Commander (great guy) is LTC Dewitt Hathcock, who was the S-4 at that time. I hear CPT Melita McCully is now a COL for a Signal BDE Commander. I made Soldier of the Year for 11th Sig back in 1982, and won the 31N portion of the Signal Rodeo in 1981, and became a judge in 1982. One of my companions then was PFC Oliver Forbes.. I hear he became CSM. Chip Bremer retired and is living in Korea, Edgar Heyer got out and is living with his mom in Brooklyn. Don't know much about SSG Jose Cerda, SGT Darryl Washington, SGT RB Lyons, SP4 Lawrence Sheffield, or SGT Michael Bracey.

I do remember having fun running over gigantic jack rabbits at night going to Griesheim, or getting stuck for 45 days in a prolonged field problem at Friedberg because some knucklehead lost his M16. And the best time was when the company sponsored a trip to Lloret de Mar, Spain for 3 days! Everyone got drunk! Those were the days!

(Source: Email from Chris Manolis, 11th AD Sig Bn, 1980-82; 3/60 ADA, 1982-83)

I served in the 32nd AADCOM from July 1980 to July 1983 as a Signal Officer (25A), Lieutenant. I first served with the 11th Air Defense Signal Battalion from July 1980 to May 1982 and was transferred to the 3/60 ADA, in Grafenwohr.

The 11th AD Signal Battalion was under the command of LTC McKinny and later LTC Ronald Gornto. While with the Battalion, I was assigned to Company C at Ernst Lugwick Kaserne as the Multichannel Platoon Leader, and later with Company A at Cambrai-Fritsch Kaserne as a Platoon Leader, then Tech Control Officer and Company XO.

Company C’s mission was to provide communications support for the 10th Group, later Brigade, and its subordinate battalions. Besides the company Headquarters in Darmstadt there were two terminating multichannel sites: BA on the Kaserne and BB at the 10th Brigade's TAC site. The company had three Multichannel Radio Relay Sites:

Radio Relay Site Melibokus

Radio Relay Site Donnersberg

Radio Relay Site Taufstein

The multichannel provided 12 channel four wire PCM communications for voice and data communications. Tactical Air Defense command and control (missile control) utilized the AN/TSQ 73 (located at the Battalion and Brigade Tactical Operations Centers); this computerized system utilized the UHF Multichannel System AN/TRC 145s (terminal) and AN/TRC 113s (relay) of C Company to communicate the air picture, target assignment to the I-HAWK Batteries.

While with the 11th Signal I participated in four major exercises, two “Able Archer” and two “Wintex.” During my time with here, the battalion was transitioning to more of a deployable unit, this was challenging because of Radio sites (multichannel) were essentially fixed. Under LTC McKinny the Terminal Sites supporting the ADA Group Headquarters developed the ability of deploying each of the terminating radio sites. Later the ability to deploy signal assets from the relay sites became a reality.

In the fall of 1981 we moved from deploying to the field (among trees) to what became known as the village concept; where by we placed ourselves in and among German towns and villages. As for Headquarters 32d AADCOM, HHC 11th Signal, and Company A, our 1981 “Able Archer” and 1982 “Wintex” we established ourselves in vacant factory/warehouse east of Darmstadt. For the soldiers assigned this was a welcome relief to be “indoors” rather than out in the German winter. As in most signal units, Company A would deploy one to three days prior to our supported headquarters, and recover one to three days after the end of the exercise.

In May 1982 I was transferred (PCS) to 3rd Battalion, 60th Air Defense (3/60), Headquarters in Grafenwöhr, under the command of LTC Andrew L. Jackson and assigned as the Battalion CESO (Communications/Electronics Staff Officer). The Battalion consisted of a Headquarters Battery located in Grafenwohr, and three firing batteries:

Battery A in Grafenwohr

Battery B in Regensburg

Battery C in Hohenfels

The battalion was subordinate to the 69th Air Defense Brigade, headquartered in Wurzburg. At that time (early 80s) the I-HAWK battalions had either three or four missile batteries. In a battalion with three batteries, as 3/60 was, each battery had three firing platoons and capable of “kicking out” a platoon to its own area of operation. In a battalion with four batteries, each battery had only two platoons.

During my assignment to 3/60, the battalion underwent a NATO Tactical Evaluation (know as a TacEval). This occurred in the fall of 1982, and quite a bit of preparation lead up to the actual evaluation, including evaluations by the brigade as well as 32d AADCOM. Fortunately, we scored very well and were able to enjoy the holidays without the TacEval hanging over our heads. After our evaluations, I had the opportunity to be assigned “on occasion” to the NATO TacEval team and the 32d AADCOM team. I really enjoyed participating as a communications evaluator for other ADA Battalions, both U.S. and Germany. I was impressed with the Germany batteries and believe that they performed extremely well. I must note that (at that time) the Germans did not have to move up in rank as we in the U.S. Army did. I often found that a German Battery Commander was much older than his American counterpart. It was not surprising to find this Battery Commander in his upper forties, while a U.S. battery commander was in his mid to upper twenties. The extended time in grade and position certainly paid off well for the Germans during the NATO TacEval.

I completed my assignment with 3/60 and left Germany in July 1983. I was a time in my life that I reflect very positively on.

The attached photo was taken in April 1982 at Company A, 11th AD Signal Battalion HQs, on Cambrai Frisch Kaserne, Darmstadt.

From left to right is Major General William E. Cooper, Jr., Commanding General, 32d AADCOM, LTC Ronald Gornto, Commander, 11th AD Signal Battalion, and 1LT Chris Manolis, Acting Commander, Company A, 11th AD Signal Battalion. The occasion was to award A Company, as the 11th AD Signal's company of the year.

1981

(Source: ABOUT TOWN, Nov 18, 1981)

The mountain men of Melibokus

By Michele McCormick

There are just 18 of them. Eight commute and ten work on the site. They're isolated and they're special.

"People recognize us when we go down to company," says Sp4 Andy Dennison. "We look sharp. We go out together socially. People call us the mountain men."'

The mountain men of Melibokus.

Melibokus radio relay site is the tiniest element of the Darmstadt MILCOM. The small, fenced-in area of about three acres sits on top of the highest mountain in the Darmstadt area. It's just 517 meters, but "that means a long snow in the winter," says assistant site chief Sgt. Brian Nesbitt. When the sun shines in Darmstadt it may be snowing atop Melibokus. The last snow will be gone from CFK for a month before Melibokus sees ice-free roads.

Officially part of C Co., 11th Signal Battalion, the men of Melibokus feel their unique situation offers many advantages. "I've been here nine months," says PFC Donald Biggs, "and I'd rather stay a here till I leave. I'm used to it. I feel like I have more freedom. There's no CQ, no formations. It's more relaxed atmosphere."

It is true that life on the isolated site is not without its comforts. "We get very good support from the facility engineers at Nathan Hale," says Pit. Sgt. Gerald Weaver. "They provide us with water and septic services, and plow the road in winter. They also do all the electrical work. They seem to realize what it's like living up here, isolated in winter."

Breakfast and lunch are prepared in the tiny kitchen by SSgt. Leo Aiello. "My main purpose is to make sure they have a well balanced diet," he says. "We've got a few picky people. Some don't want pork or spicy foods. I try to vary to everybody's pleasure." Once a month the men get together to decide what they're going to want to eat. And despite Aiello's emphasis on nutrition, one soldier says "if you get to know him, he'll make about anything you want."

On their free time, the men can watch AFN-TV, thanks to their own ingenuity in rigging up an antenna. And once a week Weaver makes a run to Giessen to pick up five movies from the AAFES system.

Otherwise, recreational facilities are limited. A universal gym is on order along with pingpong and pool tables. "The guys play basketball," says Nesbitt. "That's, about all we have."

Some of the men (there are no women at Melibokus due to the limited facilities) get in a little PT running down the mountain and then back up again. "Yeah," says one soldier with a grin, "there's a few crazy enough to do just that."

Getting down to Darmstadt isn't too difficult. A carryall is authorized for use for such trips, and a guy in the radio business can always find a way to contact his home base and ask someone to come pick him up.

But the work is a 24-hour business, and a serious one. The men work in three shifts to maintain constant radio communication with a number of 32nd AADCOM locations. "When the system goes down we're all out here," says Dennison. "In the middle of the night, whenever.

"There are no goof-offs here, no rag bags. We feel like we're special. They say they put better troops up on site. I think it's that they get better being here. In the company you don't see the results of your work. Here you do. It makes a difference."

Down in the company, say the men, there are hassles, problems. Up on site things are clear. Upfront. You do your job and everybody knows you're doing it. You share a lot more of your personal life. You talk about things.

"The idea of war is more real here," says Dennison, "because we know that if war is declared we'll be the first to be blown away. We talk about it. The highest ranking Sp4 would take over."

Some of the Germans, Dennison says, think the few American soldiers on Melibokus are there for punishment, that it's a kind of prison. A soldier who does feel that way is not likely to be around for long "If somebody's not satisfied with site life I try to move him," says Weaver: "He can't do a good job if he's dissatisfied. But most find life very bearable."

Most, at least, of the present crew seem to find it a lot better than just bearable. "I love the site," says Nesbitt. "It's a new experience. I hope to stay on the site for three years."

1990

(Source: Email from Jeff Berger)

I have tons of stories\info, but no time to put them in an email. I can say that Melibokus was a Radio Relay Site (I thought the call sign was X-Ray Uniform) - Radio Site Taufstein was X-Ray Tango.

I was stationed at Taufstein for 2 1/2 years until the summer of 1990 - C Co, 11th Signal Bn. I remember all that the site was involved with, and I recall most of the people stationed there during my stay there.

Company "D"

1986

(Source: Email from Benjamin D. Bualat, D Co, 11th AD Sig Bn/413th Sig Co, 1986-1995)

I was assigned to D Co, 11th AD Signal Battalion from March 1986 until it was reflagged the 413th Signal Company in 1993. I served in the 413th Signal Company until June 1995 when I departed for OCS.

Just glancing at your list of radio sites spark a few memories:

Kalmit was YS (Delta Company)

CRC Borfink was VS (Delta Company / later A company)

Kleber Kaserne, Kaiserslautern had QA (Delta Company / later A Company)

Bann Hill was operated by Delta Company

AA was on CFK operated by HQ & A Company

From my arrival until some time in 1987 the Battalion consisted of 4 companies,
Headquarters and A Company on CFK (Cambrai Fritz Kaserne, Darmstadt, GE) supporting HQ 32nd AADCOM,
Bravo Company (Larson Barracks, Kitzingen) supporting 69th ADA Bde,
Charlie Company (Ernst Ludwig Kaserne, Darmstadt, GE), and
Delta Company (Kleber Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, GE) supporting both the 94th ADA Bde and the 108th ADA Bde.

At the time, Delta was the largest tactical signal company in the Army.

With the fielding of the Patroit Missile system in Germany, the 11th AD Signal Battalion reorganized. Headquarters & A Company became HHC; Delta Company split to create Alpha Company. Delta supported the 94th ADA Brigade and Alpha Supported the 108th ADA Brigade. The two units shared the same building and motorpool for a time.

In 1993, the 32nd AADCOM de-actived, along with HHC 11th AD Signal Battalion. Alpha Company reflagged as the 286th Signal Company and moved to Fort Polk, LA. Bravo Company reflagged as the 57th Signal Company and was a separate company under the 22nd Signal Brigade and then became the 17th Signal Battalion's Charlie Company when that battalion moved to Larson Barracks, Kitzingen from Frankfurt, GE. Delta Company was reflagged the 413th Signal Company and remained the signal company for the 94th ADA Brigade.

The 94th ADA Brigade became the theater ADA unit with the deactivation of the 32nd AADCOM. In 1994 the 94th ADA Brigade left Kaiserslautern for Darmstadt where they occupied the old 32nd AADCOM headquarters. In 1995, the 413th Signal Company moved from Kaiserslautern to Kelly Barracks, Darmstadt, GE.

I was assigned to the 17th Signal Battalion from 1996 to 1999, for a time as a Platoon Leader in Charlie Company. During that time the 413th was still located in Kelly Barracks, GE. I do not know the current disposition of any of those units. Life was good in the 11th AD Signal Battalion, and, as Pete Barnes can attest to, some of the best times had by those who served in it. Incidentally, I was a 31C/31F while in the Battalion.
Ben

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