Status: 04/04/2023 10:33 AM
The Bundeswehr is preparing for one of the largest exercises in its history for NATO: accommodation and offices for hundreds of soldiers have already been built in Schleswig-Holstein.
They stack residential containers on top of each other, set up tents and a large field kitchen: Bundeswehr Special Pioneers from Husum (North Friesland region) are currently creating the infrastructure for the largest transport exercise in NATO history. From 12 to 23 June 2023, soldiers from Germany and NATO partners will train together in and above the Schleswig-Holstein region.
According to the Bundeswehr, airfields Hohn (Rendsburg-Eckernförde region) and Jagel (Schleswig-Flensburg region) should play a particularly important role in the Air Defender exercise. The German Air Force and the US Air National Guard in Washington today provide information about the project. NDR.de is showing the press conference here from around 4.30pm as a live broadcast.
Tent villages and containers appear
Captain Dirk H. has been working in the Krupp barracks for two months – with 45 of his comrades. More than 60 tents and nearly 420 accommodations and sanitary containers should be ready within a few weeks. Three soldiers sleep in each relatively simply furnished container.
A mobile kitchen is being built in a hangar of more than 450 square meters in Hone near Rendsburg. There, the majority of the participants in the maneuver will cook and bake from morning to evening.
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Scenario: The fall of the alliance
According to information received from the German army, soldiers from 24 countries will take part in the exercises. More than 220 aircraft and 20 different types of aircraft have been announced. They are rehearsing what would happen in the event of an attack on a NATO partner in Europe: In a few hours, the United States would fly planes to Europe and defend the alliance here with other countries.
Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz wants transport training and cooperation between the armies. “This exercise is also proof that the coalition is able to defend itself,” he said in an interview with NDR Schleswig-Holstein. “You can talk a lot about it and write concepts, but you have to do that sometimes.”
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