Leighton Barracks: The Forbidden Part

Two thirds of what used to be Leighton Barracks are still closed to the public. On April 22, 2013 they let me and some others in. By Roland Flade

[@jenniferharris289]

My dad was stationed in Leighton from 1981 to 1984. I went to Wurzberg Elementary 4-6. This brings back so many, many fond memories. Mr. Peterson, Mrs. Wendt, Mrs. Young. All wonderful teachers. ❤. Small choir. Friends made. Friends left. 😢. Thank you for sharing.

[@tysonflowers1125]

It's very sad it almost brought tears to my eyes to see the leighton barracks like that. My dad was stationed there the early 80s were he met my mom and married her. I was raised there for 25 years now I'm in USA. I remember if you wanted a little America we just took the bus and drove up there because we stayed of base. Part of my childhood I spent up there. It's so sad that all the bases close and all the good memories we made. The crazy is seen all that makes me homesick but if going back knowing everything is gone 😥

[@patriciahirtle1750]

Thank you for the memories , I lived in Giebelstadt 1961-64. With my Husband, A1C Sol Climan, Shopped at the PX, had a baby in the hospital, worked as Education, coordinator for U of Maryland courses, and had every airman who had not completed H.S. take the GED, was young enough not to realize there were procedures, I just made appointments for the men and informed them when to come to my office. Giebelstadt AFB got recognized by USAFE General Curtis Lemay for the highest completion rate.

[@rnick821]

Helga was my German teacher! So great to see her in this video.

[@GaryV16]

Thanks so much. I miss Germany so much. 89-92, 94-97

[@georgecarroll8441]

Ahhh, Leighton Barracks. This brings back so many memories. I was stationed on Faulenberg Kasserne, from 1983 to 1984, at the bottom of the hill below Leighton. We didn't have a mess hall or a PX so there was a bus to Leighton every 30-40 minutes from 6am to 6pm...or you could walk, but the main gate was over a mile away and all uphill. However, there was a "shortcut" onto base through a hole in the rear fence that shortened the walk by half if you were willing to walk through a muddy field. I loved being stationed in Germany. Wurzburg was my first German duty station, then after a year with the 101st, I went back for three more years at Wiesbaden Airfield before my ETS in 1989. I've been back to Europe on vacation a few times since, but only to France and Spain; my next trip will have to be a visit to my old German stomping ground.

[@USNAVY37620]

I was stationed at Wurzburg barracks from July 83 to January 85. 92nd Chemical Co. I then made the mistake of going back to the US to 63rd Chemical Co, Ft. Campbell KY from Feb 85 to April 86. I got out after that. Two years later I joined the Navy and retired in 2005. Good memories.

[@lespowell2235]

Worked on the Frontline Newspaper as a journalist 1983-1985. The most potent memories of my life are from my days in the Army.

[@denniscurless904]

All of us GI's that served over in Germany after WWII had a our own unique opportunities to enjoy our tour and make the best or worst of it. I tried to make the best of it, and never have regretted being stationed where I was. My father was there in the heat of it all during the war a totally different experience of course. One of the reasons to use the opportunity during my time to experience the peace.

[@jyozao7209]

I was stationed in Emory Barracks in 1980 to 1982 loved that time once I cought on and have no regrets.

[@kenolsen1845]

My father was stationed there, worked on air to air missile sites

[@MrReymoclif714]

B-Company(1975).

[@moorejazznow]

Thanks so much, I saw the theater where I met my husband in 1967. Sweet memories.

[@suzannegee8284]

Thank you! I lived first in Schweinfurt (62-63) and then Wurzburg (63-66) as a child. So many memories, I would love to go back for a visit one day.

[@Mark-pi6yk]

Roland - Thank you for making the videos and Helga's narration on Leighton Barracks. As a member of the Air Force, I was stationed with the 3rd ID from 1982-1984. My son was born in the hospital (now apartments) and my wife taught at the high school. While stationed at Ramstein AB, my wife and I came back to Würzburg to visit our German friends. We did go to the barracks to see all the changes. This video brings back many memories - The Marne Standard, painting the Bulldog's balls blue, and learning to never cross the Command Sergeant Major. I can see we need to plan another visit. Colonel, USAF, Ret

[@danshelburne1948]

Thanks for the viewing as was in Wurzburg overnite in 1971 on the way to Ledward barracks in Swienfurt.

[@designerscorner]

I was stationed there in 1970. Love the city... my wife and I have many fond memories of Germany.

[@xgijane143]

Brought tears yo my eyes, so many happy memoried

[@KingRamy1]

Nicely Done! I was there 1/90 thru 7/04. saw many changes in that time, and closed many kaserns after Desert Storm, but I always thought Leighton would be there! little did I know. an end of an Era for sure! Ram

[@johnniematthews5844]

I'll be coming back to see you guys in a few years. I went to school here from 1998-2002. I was actually at football practice when 9-11 happened!

[@emilycarpenterlong443]

Thank you for the memories! I was a Special Services Librarian at Leighton in 1964-66, Emily Carpenter then. Loved Wurzburg!!!

[@moorejazznow]

About the 8:18 mark, is the old Post Theatre. This is where I met my husband Gary in 1967. Sweet Memories, he passed away January 22, 2020. We spent 52 years together. These are wonderful memories.

[@Cupcakeprincess85]

Thank you so much for this!!!!! This brings back so many good memories.

[@vaccinatedanti-vaxxer]

As I'm typing this, I am at Leighton now. I am currently stationed at usag ansbach, I came to wurzburg for the first time. Didn't intend or know about another us army garrison here. I see what looks to be army barracks so I did a KZbin search and here I am. Us garrison Ansbach is 6 (really just 3) bases, urlas/shipton, bleidorn/barton, katterbach/Bismark. Bismark is mostly empty, mostly just german workers there. But it's been recently announced it will be fully operating like it was in the cold war. A new air defense unit will be standing up there. Also urlas didn't exist until 2012 and shipton was vacant until 2018. So American military is once again growing in germany. I suppose Leighton if it was still opened would also increase in use today.

[@allendouglas4942]

Was stationed at Leighton Barracks from 1991 to 1994. Thank you for creating this video!

[@KiWthe_ki_line]

Afn...old stomping ground :) Had a show there 1995-2001 as a German national volunteer showhost... this video brought back awesome memories - thank so much und liebe Gruesse nach Wuerzburg

[@wahswolf88]

Thanks for the memories! Love and miss those years I was there.

[@ladyyuna2000]

My father was stationed in Wurzburg he was in the US Army. I was born in Würzburg Northern Bavaria Germany in 1981. I would love to travel back there and see all the castle.

[@wtfury]

I've always wanted to go back there. So many memories.

[@GaliSinatra]

Thank you Helga! That was a very nice blast from the past! I remember that Potato Monument!

[@irishbro2117]

Thanks for sharing!! I was there from 96-99 as a MP. Good times.

[@kagnewmp12]

Was an MP from 74 through 78 and the MP station was all the way down town by the river. Did it get moved onto Post cause that's what it looks like in this video.

[@kagnewmp12]

OMG I was a Military Police SGT there from 1974 through 1978. So many memories. I even remember that sad day when one of the MPs accidently shot and killed himself after chasing a car. If memory serves me right he was running up to the car with his 45 out and slipped on the ice. It was very bad.

[@beac60]

Awesome video, I worked on Faulenberg Kaserne, with the Army CID from 99 - 01 (Bruno Kramer) was our local national criminal interpreter. My wife was a army nurse at the Army hospital from 98 - 01. My son was born in Wurzburg. We lived in a very nice village off of B19 (Albertshausen) our landlord were the Meyers. Very fond memories and I will make it back to visit.

[@oldmangrady]

Thank you for the video. Please tell Frau Heller greetings from one of her former students. This was in 75. Hope she and her family are doing well.

[@fishbrains29]

I was Stationed there in 1978.

[@voiceinthechaos]

Thank you for another great video. That one took me way back. =)

[@rajahsirons4784]

Thank you for the video! And thank you Helga!

[@marshallrowley3516]

Thank you for the Memories !

[@Trancecub]

Es tut mir in der Seele weh, zu sehen wie das alles so verkommt. Ich stand bis Dezember 2008 als Wachmann an den Toren. Obwohl ich seitdem in Illesheim arbeite, fehlt mir Würzburg sehr. Eben auch weils mehr wie eine kleine Stadt ausgesehen hat und nicht wie eine Militärbasis so wie Faulenberg. Man hätte doch wenigstens die englischen Straßennamen behalten können. Würzburg hatte einen guten Ruf bei den Amis. Am Wochenende war die Hölle los, weil sie aus Kaiserslautern, Stuttgart, Mannheim und so weiter hierher gekommen sind um einzukaufen. Auch unter den Kollegen herrschte ein einzigartiges Arbeitsklima. Es traf uns und die ganzen anderen Zivilangestellten wie ein Schock als es hieß die Amis ziehen ab und es wird alles bald geschlossen. Von September bis Dezember 2008 bewachten wir eine leere Kaserne. nur 3 Guards, ein Schichtführer und 2 MP´s waren anwesend. Gerade nachts war die Kaserne ein gespenstischer Ort. Bis weit in den Oktober hinein kamen die Leute aus großer Entfernung, weil sie dachten, sie können noch einkaufen. Keiner hat Ihnen bescheid gesagt und wir mussten sie jedesmal vertrösten und nach Schweinfurt schicken.

[@irmgardbaumann2051]

Ich war Kassiererin in der BX,und war traurig,das es mit meinen Job dann vorbei war. Habe gerne dort gearbeitet.

[@MillermaticS]

I was stationed at Giebelstadt AAF and on pay days we would ride the bus to Leighton Barracks. Watch a movie or go eat at Burger King. If you wanted to go buy some new uniforms you had to walk down a long hill to another little outpost.

[@Stuffy_Shows]

Thank you, Helga!!

[@martel003]

I was stationed at Emery Kaserne. I used to go to Leighton Barracks to shop on the weekends. Awesome times.

[@kagnewmp12]

Worked at the Hawk Missile site on top of the hill A-10-4 as an MP for part of my tour and a White Hat MP at Leighton Barracks which was so much better. 74-78

[@lsusc]

Thank you Helga. I was there in 1965.

[@gringochoppers]

I lived there from 73-75..first on the Economy then on base housing across from the elementary school..I think 104 R8...Best time of my childhood..Cherry Hill..Exploring the War bunkers below cherry hill..hanging out at the AYA club..Shinning boots for the GI's..Riding my Skateboard down the long sidewalk from the housing area across the field to the building my dad worked at to bring his dinner,at night with a flashlight taped to the board...my mom was an artist and painted the Castle at least 25 times..I have one painting still...too bad it's no longer an American base.

[@lbindert]

The radio bit, with that exchange rate must have been in the late 70s. My first tour there. I was stationed in Wertheim and would come to Leighton for the px. My battalion was in Emery

[@randykroells8049]

We would go to Wurzburg milcom often from nearby Kitzingen.

[@JediSoth]

I was there from '85-'90. A lot of memories in that place. My Dad managed a lot of the area Officers' & NCO Clubs; I spent a lot of time in that Officer's Club at Leighton. I didn't actually graduated from WAHS, but it felt more like my high school than the one I did graduate from.

[@kagnewmp12]

Does anyone remember steak night at the café in the Mid 70s. My wife worked there as a waitress and also made fresh donuts and also worked in the concession stand at the Theater

[@juttatague2011]

very sad, I worked on Leighton from 1989-2007, before that 6 years on Faulenberg Kaserne.

[@michaelpaul5709]

Lived there after the Gulf 91-93.

[@tim05519]

Hello Roland, there are 3 identical buildings, behind the gymnasium and its parking lot. The one on the far right was where I was billeted, if you’re ever in that area and can take some video, I’d like to see what’s left of it. Germany has stayed with me all these years, I really loved my time there! Thanks RF

[@halfdanthomsen2041]

I was tdy there for a few weeks and landstuhl due to the wounded warrior program

[@NIDDL_WUE]

Da war ich als Kind im Kino.

[@voiceinthechaos]

I can't believe American's have been gone since 2007/08. I left Wurzburg in 2007. But I am moving back within the next few weeks, saying good-bye to Northern Virginia. =)

[@CallsignVega]

I was stationed just South in Giebelstadt and would routinely be on Leighton Barracks. The memories!

[@blessedcaleon]

After spending all that money to renovate it, this is how it looks now after just 5 years that is a shame

[@Corner72]

Remember the time it wasn't necessary to gateguard This area yet.

[@wizzelhoart]

Fr. Helga Höffner... "aus außer bei mit, nach zeit, von zu" XD

[@radiorimpartv]

Richtig richtig gut!

[@Cupcakeprincess85]

I was here for a ceremony in 5th grade ☺️

[@gemini1567]

Do you have any videos Of the army base in Schweinfurt?

[@rolandflade]

I'm sorry, no.

[@kagnewmp12]

Hate to just add bad memories but as an MP you remember things that aren't always good. Does anyone remember when the former Army SSG took the manager of the Credit Union hostage early in the morning. All the MPs had to basically close the Post and after getting a helicopter and a vehicle the gunman came out the exit with the short manager and when he stepped down from the building a German Sniper shot him Dead.

[@beac60]

I was in Kaiserslautern doing that time, however after retiring in 1998, I returned as family member and DoD Civilian on Faulenberg Kaserne my wife was a nurse with 67th Combat Support Hospital. He actually kip napped the cleaning crew the night before and waited for the manager to open the bank the next day.

[@fishbrains29]

I remember I had CQ the night before and it was payday so I was walking to Bank and they stopped me and said someone was robbing the bank. I was with 3rdM.I. detachment attached to 3rd I.D. Headquarters.

[@jeffcrittenden2560]

I do remember this. I was off post during the lock down. Was assigned to the 3rd Repo Depot.

[@princessmoccasin4279]

33 Field Hospital/US Army MEDDAC 1974-1977

[@michaelleech9409]

Thank you very much Helga :o}

[@robertrstevens]

Our stay in Würzburg came two years after the closing of Leighton Barracks. Lang lebe Würzburg. Lang lebe Leighton Barracks.

[@kenolsen1845]

I lived there 3rd thru 5th grade. Gummy bears 😄😄

[@nilsketzler7942]

Rick DeLisle? cool!

[@emilycarpenterlong443]

Helga Hoepffner, did you work for Special Services? I remember a woman with your name! Emily Carpenter, SS Library.

[@huskarl865]

the Potato Monument hat mir gar nie aufgefallen. de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philipp_Adam_Ulrich

[@alexxxdetroit]

i am looking to find anyone from 258th psc Leighton_1989-1992,anyone?

[@alexxxdetroit]

+Sidekick indeed it is... and who are you?

[@alexxxdetroit]

***** fb me brother!

[@fligemon]

Jah, Herr Weimer ist todt. Er liebte Sie mit blonden deutschen Prostituierten Einstellung

[@ichbin5353]

Alex Jackson my husband was in 1998 till late 2006 in Würzburg. he was 12chem

[@cxjeter]

Now its going to be living area for refugees