An Antenna Visit in Gablingen

At 0900 on August 25, 2023, nine historical US sedans moved from the former Sheridan Kaserne Bldg 116 to the nearby B17. They drove in a northerly direction to Gersthofen. Those once, in the vernacular, called “Amischlitten” were driven by Augsburger citizens, American veterans, stationed in the Gablingen Field Station in the 1980 years, being their fellow passengers.

Special connections had made it possible for this small circle of former U.S. Military staff plus a few members of the American Car Friends Augsburg e.V. and the Amerika in Augsburg e.V. societies, to visit the legendary bugging system in the North of Gersthofen. Envisioned was an exclusive remembrance photograph of the big Wullenwever type AN/FLR-9 antenna, linked to many rumors and legends even until today. For this exceptional approval and the authentic presentation of the visitors, we had allowed only US vehicles to drive in, accompanied by the BND (who is, even 50 years later, still utilizing the antenna).

After an almost romantic cross-country journey to the old airfield area, the trip finally led to the heart of the antenna at the innermost circle. In consultation with the responsible authorities, a few approvable group photos were made for us. About 40 years after their service, former military staff, male as well as female, were gathering in the middle of what had once been their world of duty. This was another true emotional moment of the reunion-visit program “25 Years Base Closure Augsburg”.

A big “thank you” for the realization of this extraordinary memento to the contact persons of the ACFA and AiA societies, especially however to the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), Gablingen branch).

Already upon departure, threatening thunderclouds showed on the Southern sky above Augsburg. Indeed, a short but heavy cloudburst happened at the end of the trip. The standing-by sedans however provided comfortable wetness protection.