Hanau, Germany: U.S. Pioneer Kaserne (AAFES Gas Station & Garage, Sportsfield Housing Area & More!)

[@FrankfurtAlumniVideo]

The 104th Area Support Group (ASG) and the 414th Base Support Battalion (BSB) were located in Hanau. The peacetime mission of the 104th ASG and the 414th BSB, was to provide quality of life support to the units within the ASG footprint. Unlike most army posts in CONUS (the CONtinental United States), the Hanau military community was comprised of a number of smaller installations or "Kasernes." Each kaserne had an interesting history of its own. Located in Hanau was Pioneer Kaserne, home to the 130th Combat Engineer Brigade, as well as the Yorkhof, Hutier, and Francois Kasernes. Fliegerhorst Kaserne, home to the 4th Aviation Brigade, was located in nearby Erlensee. More info in the vids description area... This video footage is from our lost and found archives. The recording took place in June 2016, but the capture was lost and then found in December 2019. It features Pioneer Kaserne, AAFES gas station/parts store/ and garage, Sportsfeld Housing Area, and more. BTW, I, Otis Cue Pate, worked for the CPO (the Civilian Personnel Office) in Hanau, Germany, from April 1996 - April 2000. However I lived in Langenselbold, Germany, which is 10 kms or 6.2 miles East, of Hanau's Wolfgang's military area. Thanks for sharing our videos. Please subscribe, click the notification's bell for upload alerts, and be sure to check our video's archives. Take Care!

[@miss_nelson5468]

I remember staying at the roof top apartments in Sports field. Back then it was temporary quarters until the family got another place to live in. I believe my family was there for like 2 months and then we moved to Bishopshiem for the next few years until 89. I believe I was there (Germany) from 87-89 and then moved back to the states. I spent most of my life going back and forth from Germany to the states. I used to love the sweet ketchup and fries during lunch break at Hanau middle and senior highschool. I remember all the middle and senior kids had to go to the same school until the middle school was built. It was a lot of transitioning then. I'm 47 now and this brings back so many memories.

[@carolynnesbittmorin8847]

My dad was stationed there in 1956 and we lived there until 1960. I have great memories! Thank you for sharing this video.

[@LarryMiller-gd1lx]

I was the wife of an Army Captain who was head of the motorpool at Pioneer Kaserne but we lived in Fleigerhorst housing. The year of 1969 thru 1971 and my son was 2 years old when we got there. I have some really great memories of the fun times we had there. My son had plenty of little kids to play with and he doesn't remember the time in Fleigerhorst but he enjoyed his time there. It makes me sad to see it all deteriorate so much. It was so vibrant and full of life in those days. I remember the gas station where we were able to get gas so much cheaper than the German citizens. Thank you so much for sharing this. It's joyful and sad at the same time. I spent a lot of time at Pioneer Kaserne shopping and going to the O club.

[@rstokes4049]

I was there in 1961-1964 one of the best times of my life!!

[@woodytucker2476]

Man I walked every inch of Sportsfeild and Pioneer as a teenager, I remember the ration cards back in the 70's at the gas station. I lived in the backside of Sportsfeild my girlfriend lived on the other side of the street. Used to have a tunnel under Aburg street that went from Sportsfeild to Pioneer

[@erasedfromgenepool.4845]

I've been through that tunnel a million times . near a basketball court..

[@patriciagriffiths3144]

Wow. I lived there from 1972-1979 as a child. My father was in the Army. We lived in Sportsfield Housing area, Building 324, Apt 1. I clearly remember the auto area as it was right at the end of our building. We had to walk by it every day on our way to school-all the way over to Argonner. Makes me sad to see it this way.

[@22steps]

And a long walk it seemed! Walked to and from school, but was bussed home for lunch! There was a little snack shack on the walk on the opposite side of the ‘highway’ that had the best candy! 😅

[@patriciagriffiths3144]

@@22steps The Toto Loto man! Yes!

[@TheKelliegreen7774]

Live on Pioneer from 1996-1999. Our second daughter was born in Hanau. I loved it there, so much so, I begged my husband to stay!

[@briancorcoran4357]

I was in the 568 engr co from 84 to 86 and couldn't wait to get out of there. Now I look back and wish I had spent many more years there for sure. What a great place! Went to the 9th division from there and 2 years later returned to Germany this time to Flak kaserne in Ludwigsburg. I enjoyed every minute of it!

[@rudyolivacanessa8415]

i live and work in hanau for 6 years station in francois kaserne from 78 to 86 good memories.

[@DSmith-kn9hu]

Thank you for the video, I was at Pioneer from the spring of 1980 until August of 1981 with the 568th Engineer Co.; although, I did a month at the NCO Academy in Bad Tolz and a few months of TDY in Berchtesgaden for the Armed Forces Recreation Centers during that period. So many great memories.

[@briancorcoran4357]

I was in 568 84 to 86! What a great time of my life!

[@DSmith-kn9hu]

@@briancorcoran4357 Nice 👌

[@felani1647]

We lived in Pioneer Village in 1963, I finished 2nd grade in one of a few quonset hut classrooms near the A.Y.A. (if that was the name then) building. I remember sock hops, Bingo, church on Post, BBQ events with a couple hundred soldiers and families, plenty of 50's cars with the giant fins among the VW bugs, Hershey Bars for 4 cents, trading comics door to door, and just the kindest families and friends, German and American. Three paper grocery bags full of candy on Halloween, and we'd have to run a full bag home and head out for more..all the "important" stuff, for an army brat kid. Going into 3rd grade we'd cross the highway onto Pioneer Kaserne for class, and later in the year walk to near Hanau American School. Wonderful time, and people....and memories.

[@wolfenstien13]

Use to live in Pioneer when I was young. I can even see the apartment I lived in. I was there when the base became a ghost town, and we were one of the last families to depart.

[@erasedfromgenepool.4845]

When I lived in sports field it was ghetto as fuck so was Hanau high! I got jumped for being white alot.. I used to cut class and fish in the little pond next door to avoid being jumped. Miss Germany alot not any of the others I went.too school with....

[@MB-ku9qc]

Met my wife of 23 years in motor pool in 1995 and sad to see changes. Loved my time at airfield over in erlense I believe spelling. Thanks for the video

[@debraeggeman-steffen1598]

I used to live at Springfield with my husband. Both of us were in the United States Army. I have fond memories there.

[@Birk734]

Gas station is still there as of Sept 25th 2022, I drove past it today. The area though has seen better days....it looks really run down and is a complete eye sore for the area. You can still tell automatically that the area was an old military base. FYI, most American military bases have been rebuilt with new or refurbished buildings. This is one of the few that is not so and really looks terrible. IF you google pioneer park hanau, you can get pictures from drones of the rebuild since 2017. It is currently being rebuilt.

[@veronicaguerrero7597]

I love these places (Pioneer Kaserne, 548th LEM,) stationed 92-94. Great old memories…

[@trikeonabike4949]

I lived there (Sportsfield) in the early 2000's and then onto Pioneer in I believe, 2002. Visited Wolfgang Kaserne a lot, which is where I done all my shopping. LOTS of great memories.

[@mythomania_band]

hey! nothing against you, but children and people of Hanau where scared by the strong the military presence, me included. Can you share so information from your site? Like how was your feelings interacting with german civilians or people that demonstrated etc. peace!

[@trikeonabike4949]

@@mythomania_bandThe German civilians were awesome and very welcoming. Never had an issue.

[@yonasi6800]

@@trikeonabike4949 my Friends Dad was stationed there and I was once inside and it was one of the best days in my childhood. I remember playing in an indoor playground, what else was there ? Me a German child was always fascinated by these buildings and was never scared my friends feel the same

[@itsbobmd]

Bldg 322 Apt 1.. that was my home 69-72.. the sidewalk between it and the gas station is where I set record after record on my pogo stick and learned to ride a unicycle.. you missed the MOST important piece for kids that grew up here, the rope swing on the side of the hill.. it was gone when I visited in 89, but the hill was still bare and the tree still stood.

[@coolroy4300]

Wow. brings back many memories

[@ruffmansavageveteran1345]

I bought tires at that auto repair for my 1989 Opel Kadett GSI in 2005.

[@spearhead3ad377]

Always great videos and memories Otis, thanks man. I still remember my old insurance company that was located across from Pioneer called Fortune insurance lol. My favorite pizza place was a block away and they had the best Hawaiian pizza known to man kind lol lol lol

[@juscruzen]

I was stationed there from 1985-90. We used to go to Tony’s by the backgate and drink it up! Binding Export with a shot of apple corn in it! We lived on pioneer kaserne and worked in Grossauheim!.

[@momsrides8468]

I was there in 89-91

[@erasedfromgenepool.4845]

Remember the boat?

[@itsbobmd]

I think I went to 2nd and 3rd grade in Quonset Huts on Sportsfield, 4th grade on Pioneer, the same building as the photo shop and craft shop.. our 4th grade teacher (Ms Wagoner) taught us how to develop our own film (which we did) and we produced our own yearbook.

[@tysonflowers1125]

My dad was stationed in hanau before he got station to kitztingen. We was staying in würzbrug. I was born and raised in Germany and it was always a good time hanging out in the bases. Most are closed kitztingen gieblstatd Schweinfurt bamberg würzburg wildflecken and this are just the once we always hangout. It was very sad to see them close good old memories.

[@axelfunke6527]

Vielen Grüße aus Hanau.

[@claudettedavis5122]

My first duty station was Pioneer Kasern Finance Company in 1979

[@MuscleMixer]

I was stationed there in 2001 to 2005. 502nd AFB So many wonderful memories being there! Inside the kaserne there was an alterations shop and px shopette. It was my first duty station and I also met my wife here for the first time. I thank God for this place and it was a blessing to be a part of it's history!

[@kaboombox1581]

We lived in Pioneer housing from 1971 to 1975, went to the elementary school on post (Mrs. Twigg’s class), then old Jr High at Old Argonner then the New High School when it opened.

[@wauzdancer1556]

I was in the 6th and 7th grade living at Old Argonne in 1969-71. Our family's quarters were directly across a playground facing the the American school. We were oftened bused over to Pioneer to go swiming as one of the schools gym activies. I remember the gas station we passed by it. A class mate was killed at that intersection when hit by a truck on the highway. We later were relocated to Fliegerhorst as that is where my father unit was. A lot of memories.

[@itsbobmd]

I started 5th grade at Argonne, but left to go back to the world just a month or two in.. walked from Sportsfield to the school.

[@itsbobmd]

We were there at the same time.. remember the accident, just not the details.

[@loismartin1406]

I was hit by a car at that intersection. Broken arm, in traction for a week. The German man who hit me sent my Dad the bill to repair a broken headlight to his Volkswagen. We lived at Fliegerhorst, but I was visiting friends at Sportsfield. We were there from 1962-1964.

[@pigoff123]

Thank you for uploading it. My mother moved to Stuttgart so I never get there anymore.

[@FrankfurtAlumniVideo]

Your welcome, Pat! It's appreciation that keeps me fueled.

[@cheryllittle4257]

Total of eight years at Hanau American Schools...🥰

[@jenniferwehmeyer356]

Thank you so much! Brought back so many memories! I used to live in Pioneer Kaserne!

[@frieda842]

Once again... Great footages Otis! I'm enjoying searching and viewing more of your videos here on YT. I subscribed so that I can't miss out or ever have to keep searching them for hours LOL!

[@FrankfurtAlumniVideo]

Awesome, thank you!

[@johndangelo7434]

I was stationed at Pioneer Kaserne from 3/60-12/62 with the 814th Engineer Company(Floating Bridge). I was a Specialist 4 (E-4) Bridge Specialist, receiving proficiency pay. My net pay was $214 per month. At that time the specialist rank went from Specialist 4 to Specialist 9. We would go on bridging assignments. Our company assisted with the erecting and dismantling of temporary bridges. During the summer we would bridge the Rhine River along with the combat engineers and other engineering companies. Some of the engineering companies with manned by civilians The bridge was build with all different type bridges, from both sides of the river and met in the middle which, was called a marriage. AAFES gas was 15 cents a gallon. On the German economy, it was 50 cents. Duty wasn"t bad but, was glad t return home.

[@jeffrodabro]

Stationed in Budingen, lived in Gelnhausen 1997-2000. My ex wife still works in Pioneer for BOS GMBH, visited also Sept 2019, my daughters, and i drove around, and I was totally lost most of the time.

[@cheryllittle4257]

The home that I lived in as a child for almost eight years looks like a ghosttown now...So sad about that🥲

[@joelyons9808]

I was stationed at Pioneer from April 1976 to October 1978. I loved my time there. I was a front gate guard as a Unit Police for 3 months and then drove for Headquarters. I lived in Bldg.2 (71st Ord) for a few months and then got an apartment off post...which was awesome!!! :P

[@lenraygo3841]

I was there from 76 till 79 com.b

[@pigoff123]

Thank you Otis. Brought tears to my eyes.

[@FrankfurtAlumniVideo]

Wow! I truly understand... Thanks for sharing.

[@pigoff123]

I really appreciate your hard work putting out these videos for us.

[@jenniferblackard7148]

Thank you for this! I was there from age 9 to about 13. I always wondered what it looks like now.

[@MzGumby02]

OMG...the memories as a child. I was here in the early 90's.

[@jasonwinn6241]

Me too graduated in 99

[@jefflocklear7949]

My first duty assignment was on Pioneer. I worked part time at the movie theater before moving over to the furniture store. Jan 95 til Jan 98

[@midnightrider715]

I was there from 1971. 1974 699th maintenance from W. V. Anyone else who was there at the same time please respond.

[@shawnmcgatha1350]

Thanks for this video. I was a dependent living in the sportsfield housing and attended school at sportsfield 1980 to 1983. Then I was stationed at fliegerhorst kaserne as a medic 1990 to 1992.

[@22steps]

That’s about the time I went to school there-when it first opened. What grade were you in at that time? Mr. O’Reily was the principal when I was there. 😄

[@shawnmcgatha1350]

@@22steps I was there the first year the school opened. I was in 6th grade there.

[@pigoff123]

My home sweet home. I lived there from 72 to 96. My brother was born there an my daughter was born there.

[@FrankfurtAlumniVideo]

Wow! You were here for 14 years! I was here for only 4, working for CPO from 1996 until 2000. Thanks for sharing.

[@midnightrider715]

Pat Goff did you know anybody from 699th company bldg# 3 I'm trying to find people that I was stationed with. I was there from Dec.1971 June 1974 Any help would be appreciated!

[@awash0261ify]

I used to work at Mr Video during the time we stayed at Sportsfield Housing. My ex husbands Base was Fliegerhorst.

[@yvonnea.3148]

We were in Fliegerhorst 1980 to 84, really enjoyed exploring Germany.

[@briancorcoran4357]

Great times! I was in the 568 enguneer co from 84 to 86 we spent alot of time in Graph!

[@cklatte]

Can't believe all the buildings are still vacant

[@MzGumby02]

Yes, Old and New Argonner...I was there as a kid. OMG!

[@John_X_77]

Always enjoy your videos. Does anyone know if Underwood Kaserne is still standing?

[@John_X_77]

@Abandoned US Army Bases Germany Thanks. Looking forward to checking out your channel.

[@iamgermane]

Pretty slow with no Americans around. Still cannot believe about 250,000 GIs were in Europe. Triple that number to get the number of dependents!

[@DJ_S-Shawn]

so many memories as a kid. I was there from '82 to 90

[@Mia-es1rp]

Me too!!crazy I grew up there from 80-88.I cant wait to show my mom

[@chickennoodlesoup7549]

My mom was the assistant principal at the elementary school for years. I was born in Frankfurt and we lived off base but went to school on base until I was 12 then moved to bitburg in 1997

[@22steps]

Which elementary school?

[@chickennoodlesoup7549]

@@22steps Argonner elementary

[@joecantu6238]

I was there and 72-73 played football basketball ran track for Frankfort High School I miss that place

[@cheryllittle4257]

Lived on Pioneer military base as a child through the 6th grade

[@johnhickssr.4915]

I loved the KFC across the street there. 1978-1980

[@22steps]

I was looking for that building in the video! If I remember correctly, it looked like a two-story white house with a black roof. You could smell it in the housing area. We used to just go get a handheld white paper cone filled with pommes frites eaten with a tiny plastic fork-looking utensil and the best ketchup. lol Lived in Sportfield & started elementary school in the 5th grade, the year it opened…I believe 82ish.

[@cheryllittle4257]

Home Sweet Home. 1960's Army brat🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@momsrides8468]

I was in Hessen > Frankfurt Fliegerhurst and Hanau when the wall (East/West Berlin Wall) was coming down I was an armed guard and 21, Met my very good friend Brian in Germany and we are in different states but still friends all these years later let me see now about what 31 years wow miss Germany lots of good times dancing at the pioneer laser world damn good times!!!!! Hit me up if u remember me

[@pigoff123]

Fortune used to be beside the car insurance company. My mother was friends with the owner an I always got a discount.

[@FrankfurtAlumniVideo]

Thanks for you info and for checkin-out the vid...

[@tressastevenson2008]

Was stationed there for 4 rs my daughter was born in hanua lived on sportsfield.

[@josephweaver5385]

This community absolutely is Missing American Troops!

[@kevenbenfield7090]

I was stationed at pioneer. 71st ord 83 to 84

[@ericlou3405]

93 to 94

[@PattiBurns-t2w]

I lived there in the 80's

[@pigoff123]

I lived in building 329 in Sportsfield

[@FrankfurtAlumniVideo]

Thanks for your feed-back... What years did you live in Sportsfeld Housing. (BTW, Sportsfeld is German. Sportsfield is English. Also, oddly, the actual name of this invaluable housing area was written in German's spelling. )

[@pigoff123]

We lived in Sportsfield housing from 72 to 81

[@22steps]

We lived in Bldg 332 at the end along the main road. I loved the playground equipment they had at the end of each building between the buildings and the railroad tracks! At the far end of the housing area (opposite end from Sportfield Elementary) there were very cool wooden play areas built. Reminded me of Lincoln Logs! Was there 80-83 I believe. Also, was thinking the gas was rationed along with cigarettes. I do remember my dad having a book of rations used at the gas station there! Really enjoyed your video, thank you.

[@iliad21]

Hutier Kasern 2/6FA Regt. C Battery 1977

[@JohnCraig-fi9mw]

Looking for a photo of the baseball field on pioneer. I proposed to my future wife in the dugout in 1978

[@nwnd148]

Justice for Amanda Gonzales.

[@DrewSwearingen]

I had my car fixed there.

[@cheryllittle4257]

Was home for a total of eight and a half years. A military brat

[@RevGunn-jq3cq]

Still waiting for a stroll down Kaiserstraße where so many American cigarettes were peddled by military brats!

[@germanchick7448]

I lived there from 92-94...the good old days.In my days there were no gates at the entrance to Pioneer housing.I remember taking a right to my building in which I lived on the top floor.There was a playground behind our building and I had a couple real stank neighbors living under and next to me🤪I think one of the dudes got busted for drugs shortly after his snotty wife had a baby😂

[@angelikaking6844]

Where is your mom?

[@nappychef891]

I lived there from 92 - 94 and went to sportsfield elementary

[@plzdonthate1000]

So strange seeing the place now. I lived there as a kid from 05-07. Such an influential time in my life