Altenstadt celebrates the “22.

Day of the Paratroopers"

Created: 04/10/2022 18:02

Walking down the front of honor: (from left) Colonel Hans Olav Jessen, Andreas Kögl and Lieutenant Colonel Martin Holle.

© Walter Kindlmann

The “22.

Day of the Paratroopers" at the training base of the airborne and air transport school in Altenstadt.

In addition to the parachute jump service, the break cell A 400 and C 160 as well as new devices and the parachute ESP were presented.

Altenstadt - It was a burgundy traditional day with active and former members of the paratroopers.

"I am pleased that the corona situation will allow us to come together again this year on a larger scale and thus finally do more justice to the core and spirit of the paratroopers' day," said Lieutenant Colonel Martin Holle when welcoming the guests.

Limiting the number of participants this year was a painful but necessary decision.

Among the guests were the former school commanders Richstein, Schoebel and Franke, Major General Dirk Faust, commander of the Rapid Forces Division and other officers from superior departments.

From politics, Andreas Kögl, mayor of the garrison community, former mayor Albert Hadersbeck and mayors from the area accepted the invitation.

Lieutenant Colonel Martin Holle: The world has been different since the last "Day of the Paratroopers" in 2019

Holle said in his speech that the world had changed since the last “Paratrooper Day” in 2019.

However, it is wrong to state that both society and the armed forces were caught off guard.

The task now is to adjust the operational readiness of the Bundeswehr to the supposedly new realities as quickly as possible.

He, said Holle, wanted to draw attention to what "a turning point" should mean for the LL/LTS and what role the parent company of the airborne troops could play in order to contribute to the success of the "turning point" and to increasing the operational readiness of the armed forces.

Wreaths were laid at the memorial in Altenstadt to commemorate the fallen.

© Walter Kindlmann

For example, the grass runway was upgraded to a paved runway.

Modern training technologies such as the virtual training environment are intended to complement phasic training infrastructures.

The construction of the long-planned "wind tunnel" is taking concrete shape: it should be completed in 2030.

"Good things come to those who wait," says the optimistic commander.

Despite the excellent equipment and the highly motivated training staff, the base is not able to completely cover the required training needs.

Example of a skydiving course: Originally it was assumed that there would be 450 per year, but in 2018 it was already 573. This year it will be 650.

Common wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial

The school also needs 40 posts to ensure the training needs for the courses offered at the school.

Mayor Andreas Kögl thinks it's nice that the "Day of the Paratroopers" can take place almost without restrictions according to the old tradition.

Kögl spoke about the perception of the Bundeswehr and its ability to defend itself as well as the special fund of 100 billion euros decided by the Federal Government for the Bundeswehr.

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As a trained bank clerk, he allowed himself to measure that a billion in 500 euro notes would result in a stack 2.50 meters high.

The bills laid out result in a length of 25 kilometers.

"If just like 15 meters got through to the community, that would really be a success."

The music corps of the Bundeswehr from Ulm played the song of the paratroopers "Red shines the sun", the laying of the wreath at the memorial of the fallen was accompanied by the "Song of the good comrades".

At the end of the roll call, the Bavarian and national anthems were played.

Pastor Hans Jürgen Hoeppke said the prayers and asked "Let us be silent and commemorate our comrades in silence".