McCully Barracks
Wackernheim, Germany
The 1st Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery is headquartered in Wackernheim, Germany (about 20 kilometers from Mainz). This separate battalion provides the division with air defense capability. During the Cold War, the 5th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery [5/3 ADA] was based out of Wackernheim. The AVENGER system continues to play its critical role within active component Army inventories. In 1996, approximately one dozen AVENGER systems from the Army's 5/3 Air Defense Artillery (Wackernheim, Germany) were selected to join the NATO deployment into Bosnia to provide initial air defense support and protection "against the unknown" for elements of the US 1st Armored Division.

Restationing of 1st Armored Division and other units within the 104th Area Support Group marked another milestone 12 October 2000. The Wiesbaden Contracting Center issued its final notice to proceed on over 20 contracts for the construction and renovation of facilities which will make the realignment of forces possible. Projects to consolidate the 123rd Main Support Battalion at Dexheim and restation the 501st Military Intelligence Battalion to Wackernheim were also approved. The comprehensive plan involves the moving of almost 1,250 people in Baumholder, Dexheim and Wackernheim, with the latter enjoying the only net increase.

In mid-2001 the 1st Armored Division completed the moves for the Division Headquarters, DISCOM, 141 Signal Bn., and 501 st MP Company to Wiesbaden. DIVENG moved to Giessen and the 123rd MSB consolidated in Dexheim, with the 501st MI Bn. moving to Wackernheim. In August 2001 the 501st MI Battalion marched its colors to a new home. Capt. Thomas Finch, Company D commander, and 1st Sgt. Dale McDonald, Company D first sergeant, passed the 501st Military Intelligence Battalion colors and saber to Capt. Carey Luse, Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander, and 1st Sgt. Gerardus Wykoff, Headquarters and Headquarters Company first sergeant, for the final leg of the battalion?s colors march, from Dexheim to their new home at McCully Barracks in Wackernheim, Germany.

The Mainz Community is located just across the Theodore-Heuss Bridge in the city of Mainz. Like Wiesbaden, the city of Mainz traces its roots back to the Roman era. Its rich history has been intertwined with the Emperor Barbarossa and the Gutenberg. Mainz is one of the oldest cities along the Rhein and has, due to its location as the gate to the middle part of Germany, been a crossing point of trade-roads. Mainz has grown into a thriving economic center, and serves as the capital of the state of Rheinland Pfalz. While Mainz was heavily damaged by bombing, many splendid examples of outstanding architecture from both Roman and subsequent eras remain, as well as wine cellars that date from the Roman period. Mainz is perhaps most famous for "Fasching", the German carnival that is similar to our "Mardi Gras".

Wiesbaden and Mainz, long thought of as sister cities divided by the Rhein river, are now joined by that same river, forming a single community, dedicated to excellence.

The local municipality Wackernheim on the Rhine has approximately 2150 inhabitants, 590 hectars of surface (as of 1997). The town is embedded in vineyards and fruit plants, in the direct neighbourhood of the state capital Mainz. Wackernheim is in a side valley of the Rhine between Rabenkopf and Mainzer. Due to the difference in heights within the village, which amounts to over 100 meters, a beautiful outlook on Rhine offered from Wackernheim. Particularly in the bloom time it is one point of attraction for many foreigner. Wackernheimer asparagus, fruit and wine go into all world. Well-known white wine situations are stone mountain, Saubert and swallows; the red wine situation is the Rabenkopf. Since 1982 a partnership with Daix exists in France.