Patch Barracks is a well-known US military installation in Stuttgart-Vaihingen in Germany. It is named after Alexander M. Patch.
Patch Barracks was renamed from the German Kurmärker Kaserne in 1952; it was originally built for use by the German Army Wehrmacht in 1936/37. During World War II, it served as the headquarters and barracks for the Wehrmacht's 7th Panzer Regiment with associated unit shooting ranges and training areas located at the nearby "Panzer Kaserne" (literally "tank barracks"). After the Second World War, Kurmärker Kaserne was temporarily occupied by French colonial troops. Subsequently, American troops took over the facility.
Today, Patch Barracks is home to the US European Command (EUCOM) and is the headquarters for US armed forces in Europe. It is also the center for the Special Operations Command, Europe (SOCEUR), which commands all US Special Operations Forces units in Europe.
Patch Barracks was visible from a distance due to the 314-foot (96 m) high steel framework radio tower located on the premises. The tower was dismantled in May 2009.
Local facilities include Patch High School, a DoDEA school for armed forces and civilian dependants.
Changes are in process to Patch Barracks, which include moving the PX to a larger shopping center to Panzer Kaserne in 2007. The move was decided due to the lack of parking for both those who work at the EUCOM buildings on base and the AAFES shopping center. Changes also include renovations to the housing on base. Most renovations are complete except for the houses for O6 officers and above. The renovations to these houses is a slow process because many of the houses are occupied.