A relic of the Cold War stands before you. Welcome to Kelley Barracks. Its history stretches back further than you might think.
Kelley Barracks wasn’t always known by that name. It began life in 1938 as Helenen Kaserne a German Luftwaffe base. The 5th Air Signal Regiment called it home. This peaceful location in the Möhringen district of Stuttgart would soon witness a dramatic shift.
On December 5 1945 the Americans took over Helenen Kaserne. It became part of Stuttgart Post. The 7700th Troop Information and Education Group was its first permanent US unit. For a few years the US Constabulary also occupied the base. Then in 1951 a significant change occurred. Helenen Kaserne was renamed Kelley Barracks. This was a tribute to Staff Sergeant Jonah E Kelley. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for bravery during the Battle of Kesternich.
Kelley Barracks became the headquarters of the VII Corps. For over four decades this corps was based here. Its presence marked the Cold War era. Even after the VII Corps deactivated in 1992 the base remained vital. To remind everyone of its long history two tanks an M4 Sherman and a captured Iraqi T-72 once stood guard. These powerful symbols are gone now but a segment of the Berlin Wall remains a poignant reminder of the past.
The base saw more changes. After the Cold War it served as headquarters for the 6th Area Support Group. Then in 2007 a monumental shift occurred. Kelley Barracks became the new home of United States Africa Command or AFRICOM. Despite plans to close the base massive upgrades were made. The base was too important to relocate. AFRICOM remains at Kelley Barracks today.
Today Kelley Barracks is a thriving installation. It employs around 1700 people. Soldiers civilians and contractors work together. It has its own hotel and commissary. Nearby Panzer Kaserne offers additional services. Though there are no schools on the base itself there are several nearby. The convenient location near public transportation makes life easier for those who live and work here.
The story of Kelley Barracks is a story of transformation. It’s a place where history meets modern operations. A place where the echoes of war and peace blend together. A place where the spirit of Staff Sergeant Kelley lives on.