Readiness, Relationships and Resilience: Col. Michael Cookey Marks First 100 Days Leading USAG Ansbach

ANSBACH, Germany - When Col. Michael D. Cookey took command of the Army garrison here in July, he assumed leadership of an installation supporting combat readiness and community resilience.

Marking his first 100 days in command of U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach, Cookey has focused on intertwining strategic readiness with everyday community well-being across nine installations dispersed throughout Middle Franconia.

The scope of Cookey's area of responsibility spans from the flight lines of Katterbach Army Airfield to the rotational staging facilities 40 kilometers northwest at Storck Barracks. To date, one of his focuses has been solidifying host-nation partnerships, providing transparent updates on infrastructure to the community and local leaders, and upholding Ansbach's motto as the "Best Hometown in Europe."

It's not Cookey's first time being stationed in Germany.

"Receiving orders back to Germany felt like we were coming home," said Cookey of himself and his family, adding that three of his five children were born in Germany. Cookey has been stationed at Army installations at Hohenfels and Stuttgart.

An Army fixed-wing aviator by trade, Cookey arrived at USAG Ansbach following an assignment at the Pentagon, where he served as deputy director for strategy and transformation under the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G-2.

Stepping into a different world, from high-level defense strategy into the daily rhythm of garrison operations requires balancing theater priorities with the practical needs of service members and their families.

As a power-projection platform for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, USAG Ansbach supports critical tenant units, including the 12t

h Combat Aviation Brigade, the 7th Engineer Brigade, the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, alongside rotational aviation forces which, are changing out about every nine months.

Ensuring these formations remain mission-ready is tethered to the Garrison Commander's priorities: secure perimeters, dependable utilities, safe airfields, resilient families, and logistical support.

"When most people think about an Army installation, they probably think about gates, buildings and Soldiers," Cookey told the workforce recently during his first all-employee meeting dubbed the "Commander's Call." "But when I look at this garrison, I see something much bigger. I see the people who keep the lights on. The people who maintain our buildings and roads. The people who hire our workforce and manage our resources. The people who protect our installations. The people who support our families. The people who plan for the future."

During that gathering, Cookey underscored that strong German-American ties remain crucial to installation success, noting that these relationships are vital to regional security and the hundreds of Americans and Germans who live and work alongside one another daily.

In September, Cookey invited City of Ansbach Lord Mayor Thomas Deffner to sign a mutual aid agreement between the garrison fire department and municipal emergency services.

Finalized after a joint 9/11 memorial observance at Katterbach Kaserne, the agreement allows garrison firefighters and municipal crews to integrate operations, conduct joint training, and support one another during large-scale emergencies.

Additionally, Cookey has maintained regular civic dialogue through off-post forums with local mayors and German military leaders across his first 100 days.

"It is imperative to maintain good relationships and be a good neighbor with our German counterparts," Cookey said. "These personal ties will make sure that when emergencies or crisis arise, we can rely on these relationships to overcome these challenges together."

While strategic readiness and civic cooperation are a priority on the command agenda, Cookey has continually emphasized that readiness begins with taking care of people.

Alongside USAG Ansbach Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Seelow and Deputy Garrison Commander Bruce E. Griggs, Cookey has collaborated with military community members on installation barrier upgrades, housing availability, and family advocacy.

In October, he signed the installation's Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation. Whether energizing runners at 6 a.m. during a run or engaging host-nation leaders at 6 p.m., Cookey's routine reflects an ongoing commitment to the community.

Looking ahead, Cookey's future as the USAG Ansbach Commander bridges sustained growth with major regional touchpoints.

The garrison will continue active communication through upcoming events, such as Noise Abatement Commission meetings to balance flight operations with community quality of life. The command is also strengthening defense ties with German military counterparts in Roth, Germany, and preparing for broad civic engagement during the upcoming State Garden Show (Landesgartenschau) in Bad Windsheim.

The Garrison, the Army, and the Department of War (DoW) have faced significant changes over the past year, complicated by a recent hiring freeze. Cookey, however, emphasized that the garrison's outlook is improving and on an upswing.

Expressing optimism, Cookey said Ansbach is well-positioned for future opportunities and ready to meet the needs of the DoW, the Army, and units stationed throughout Europe.

"After my first 100 days," Cookey said, "I am convinced that we have an incredibly talented workforce capable of meeting whatever challenges come next."