FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. --Some say that military friendships are built to last a lifetime. Two cities, with an ocean between them, are proving that statement true for 60 years running.
During the final phase of World War II, the U.S. 101st Cavalry Group seized Illesheim, a small city in the southeast of Germany. Between 1985 and 1987, the first flight simulators were set up and the first AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters arrived at Storck Barracks in Illesheim. Storck Barracks now houses rotational aviation forces and one of only two flight simuation building complexes in Europe.
In 1964, the German Liaison Office was established at Fort Novosel, Ala. (then Fort Rucker) to strengthen the cooperation between the German Forces and the U.S. Army Aviation branch. The office includes the German Liaison Officer and a senior non-commissioned officer whose roles remain to nurture the relationship with the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) and support all German military personnel and their families serving and living in the Wiregrass area.
The first German Liaison Officer started on March 28, 1964, making that the official anniversary of the relationship.
The City of Enterprise, Ala., Mayor William E. Cooper and the USAACE German Liaison Officer, Lt. Col. Michael Heger, hosted a ceremony at Johnny Henderson Park to celebrate the 60-year milestone. Heger said it was an honor to host the event for this special partnership.
“Today I stand before you as the 15th German Liaison Officer at Fort Novosel in Alabama,” said Hager. “The culmination of my time here has led us to the celebration of 60 years of German representation at Fort Novosel and an ongoing friendship between two cities. It is a story about commitment.”
In honor of the first 50 years of US-German cooperation at Fort Novosel, the U.S.-German Friendship Crest was donated to the City of Enterprise in 2014. The crest was built in Franconia and brought to the City of Enterprise where it remains at Johnny Henderson Park today. According to Heger, this crest still holds deep significance 10 years later.
“The German Friendship crest not only displays friendship between the German Army and U.S. Army. It also displays an important role that the home away from home means for soldiers and their families,” said Heger. “The city of Enterprise and the city of Illesheim committed themselves to let friendships grow between their citizens from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Cooper said that he was proud to have Germany families living in Enterprise and the surrounding communities.
“When the first German students were sent here for flight training, this was the beginning of the relationship and building of the comradery we have all come to know and value,” said Cooper. “Since then, more than 2,500 students have trained at the post. The German Liaison Officers have done a remarkable job introducing them to the local area.”
Cooper continued by explaining the similarities between the two cities.
“We both are surrounded by agriculture, we both enjoy the sound of Freedom as the helicopters continue to soar above, and we both recognize the importance of our foreign visitors. This crest serves as a reminder of the relationship built. The vibrant colors remind us of the joy your culture brings to the City of Enterprise.” said Cooper as he concluded by thanking Heger for a job well done during his time serving at Fort Novosel as he returns to Germany in April.
In a kind gesture of fellowship, Col. Keith Hill, commander of the 110th Aviation Brigade, opened his speech in German. Hill then spoke on the importance of the bond, historically, between the U.S. Army and German Army.
“Today, however, we are here to celebrate two great cities,” said Hill. “I will pause and note that I have spent extensive time in both Illesheim and Enterprise. While the two cities are 4,600 miles apart, they are linked in spirit. Both are grounded in a rich culture of military aviation history which elevated both as military centerpieces in their respective time.”
Hill encouraged the crowd to not only celebrate the past, but the future of the partnership as well.
“We are honored to have our German partners, military leaders, and civil leaders here to mark the occasion today,” said Hill. “Celebrating the 60-year anniversary is an incredible milestone, but personally, I am more excited to see what the future holds for our two nations working together.”
For more photos from the ceremony head to our FLICKR link here https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBjawq
Social Sharing