Community connector brings mayors, military leaders to Hohenfels

HOHENFELS, Germany - Markt Hohenfels hosted U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, and other organization leadership and leaders from local communities for the Community Connector Oct. 8, 2026 at Markt Hohenfels, Germany.

The recurring event was a forum for exchanging information about the installation and military activities taking place thereon; the event was also an opportunity for the host nation and military leaders to get to know each other better.

The event took place in the town's culture center, the windows of which look out over Hohenfels and the high cliffs of its namesake.

Christian Graf, mayor of Markt Hohenfels, welcomed the guests, telling them it was good to meet since there were so many new leaders present. This was the first community connector to take place since both the German elections in March and the summer permanent change of station season.

After he spoke, Graf introduced the deputy garrison manager for Hohenfels Angela Lane.

"Your presence highlights our shared commitment to strengthening bonds between our communities," Lane said. "Our daily cooperation is a foundation of our strong partnership and cultural ties. True partnership rises from open communication. If any concerns or misunderstandings arise, please bring them to our attention immediately so we can address and resolve them together."

Col. Adam Latham, commander of the operations group for JMRC, followed Lane during the opening remarks.

"I look forward to this opportunity to get to know you a little better, to understand our relationship," he said.

Latham also offered the local leaders a glimpse into the busy training schedule JMRC has in the coming seasons. He also detailed the warfighting innovations JMRC was implementing as part of its thorough training program.

"Part of our responsibility is preparing both U.S. forces and members of the Alliance to win in the first fight of their next war," Latham said. "It's important that we leverage cutting-edge technology."

The mayors received briefings on construction projects, housing occupation rates, upcoming events of interest to the community leaders, and information on the airspace boundaries.

Following the presentation and a question-and-answer session, Lane thanked the attendees.

"I just truly appreciate the attendance and the dialogue that we have, which keeps our communications transparent and our partnerships strong," she said.

Graf, in a point to emphasize the decades of partnership between the cities and the training area, invited the attendees to take part in an exhibition and photographic lecture series about the long history of the training area. For more on that and other Markt Hohenfels events, visit the page here (external link, no endorsement implied, auf Deutsch).

The group assembled for a photograph outside and returned indoors to share lunch.