| Type: | Stadt |
| Image Coa: | Wappen von Grafenwöhr.svg |
| Coordinates: | 49.7167°N 65°W |
| Image Plan: | Grafenwöhr in NEW.svg |
| State: | Bayern |
| Region: | Upper Palatinate |
| District: | Neustadt a.d.Waldnaab |
| Elevation: | 410 |
| Area: | 216.24 |
| Postal Code: | 92655 |
| Area Code: | 09641 |
| Licence: | NEW |
| Gemeindeschlüssel: | 09 3 74 124 |
| Divisions: | 12 Ortsteile bzw. Stadtbezirke |
| Website: | www.grafenwoehr.de |
| Mayor: | Edgar Knobloch[1] |
| Leader Term: | 2020 - 26 |
| Party: | CSU |
Grafenwöhr (in German pronounced as /ɡʁaːfn̩ˈvøːɐ̯/, Northern Bavarian: Groafawehr) is a town in the district of Neustadt an der Waldnaab, in the region of the Upper Palatinate (German: Oberpfalz) in eastern Bavaria, Germany. It is widely known for the United States Army military installation and training area, called Grafenwoehr Training Area (Tower Barracks), located directly south and west of the town.
The town of Grafenwöhr (Island of the Count), was founded in the 9th century on an island (wöhr), located between the river Creussen and the Thum stream. In its early history, the inhabitants and the town of Grafenwöhr proper belonged to nobles from Schweinfurt, Bamberg, and Leuchtenberg.
In 1907, Prince Luitpold, regent of the Kingdom of Bavaria, selected the area near the town of Grafenwöhr as the place best suited for training of the Bavarian Army (1806–1919). Construction began in 1908, and, by 1915, the training reservation was 37sqmi in area. The first artillery round was fired in the training area at 08:00 on 30 June 1910. Throughout World War I (1914–1918) the Grafenwöhr training area was used for equipping and training army units for combat. After the War, the High Command, Berlin, used Grafenwöhr to train the 100,000–man German army, allowed by the Treaty of Versailles (1919).
In 1936, the Nazi Government expanded the training area to the present size of 90sqmi. On 5 and 8 April 1945, the training camp and the town of Grafenwöhr proper were bombed during Allied air drops. The last German Army Commander of the Grafenwöhr training area surrendered to the U.S. Army on 20 April 1945. Afterwards, during the Cold War (1945–1991), the Grafenwöhr training area was an important, combined arms training site for the U.S. Army and allied forces.
The military installation is also home to one of the largest Army construction projects in Europe, called Efficient Basing-Grafenwöhr. The Grafenwöhr Training Area (Tower Barracks) houses the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC). The 7th Army JMTC owns almost all of the U.S. Army training facilities and assets in Europe. The Grafenwöhr Training Area is one of its largest training areas and includes ranges that can accommodate nearly every weapons system currently used.
Though operated by the U.S. Army, the area is the largest multinational training area in Europe. Grafenwöhr Training Area is (Tower Barracks), also known as the East Camp, is the main post and is located on the north east edge of the training area. The Vilseck military community, also known as Rose Barracks, or the South Camp, is on the southern boundary.
The Grafenwöhr Army Airfield provides air flow to all air traffic requesting services including but not limited C-130's from the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany. The airfield is staffed 24 hours a day by advisory services and at a minimum from 08:00 to 17:00 by air traffic controllers both in a control tower and an approach control. Due to its length and relative proximity to the JMTC training area, it makes for a realistic simulation of short field operations encountered around the world. Bunker dropzone is also located within the Grafenwöhr Training Area. It is used to practice airdrop of troops, equipment, and supplies.
The civilian town of Grafenwöhr rests nestled between low hills. The area is widely forested and the nearby region is mostly used for agricultural purposes. Farms and dairies cover much of the surrounding landscape. Grafenwöhr is positioned geographically such that it seen very mild summers and cold winters.
Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).[2]
American Forces Network (AFN) Bavaria broadcasts from the Grafenwöhr Training Area.Bavarian Times Magazine provides news, shopping, dining and other information about the Grafenwohr area. The Bavarian Times is a military magazine for the Grafenwöhr Training Area