RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – After almost two years of planning and coordinating with multiple agencies across base, Ramstein officials have formally begun a large-scale cleanup initiative to remove abandoned vehicles in the Kaiserslautern Military Community. The first abandoned vehicle was removed from the Ramstein Law Center parking lot at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 28. “Today was actually a big day,” said Michael Bolado, 86th Force Support Squadron Community Services Flight deputy chief after the abandoned vehicle removal. “We took all of the information that we’ve been piling up for years, and with our team collaborating, we basically moved the first car from the lot where it’s been sitting for two years to the abandoned vehicle lot.” The cleanup effort began after installation leadership noticed a growing problem with vehicles left behind by owners who permanently changed stations without properly deregistering, selling or disposing of them. “There were about 130, maybe a few more, abandoned vehicles in the KMC between Vogelweh, Kapaun and Ramstein,” said Lt. Col. Sarah Laider, 86th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate General Law officer in charge. “Those vehicles were abandoned with their plates off, taking up parking in the local area, taking parking away from people that need it.” In addition to taking up parking spaces, abandoned vehicles create safety hazards. Damaged vehicles often attract vandalism and theft, leaving pedestrians and children exposed to broken glass and car parts. Service members have several options for disposing of their vehicles before departing Germany. The Auto Recycling Center helps people deregister their vehicles before surrendering them to be disposed of properly. The center handles all the paperwork and recycling process for a fee of $30. Bolado said seeing the first vehicle being removed was a significant milestone after extensive planning and coordination. “I’m glad that we got to see the end of the tunnel,” he said. “We’ve been trying a long time to get this done, making sure we meet all the rules, the regulations, the law and everything. Today was the first one, and I was very excited to see all those people out there cheering.” Installation leadership hopes to remove all abandoned vehicles from Vogelweh, Kapaun and Ramstein within the next six weeks. “This effort is for the whole community so that we can live in a place that’s not cluttered full of abandoned vehicles,” said. “I love this community, I love this place and I want to take care of it.”