Colonel Klaus Zweiker takes over the management of the Lizum/Walchen military training area. His predecessor, Colonel Johann Zagajsek, retired in August. The Lizum/Walchen military training area is the highest military training area in Europe and offers unique training opportunities for the Austrian Armed Forces and international troops. It is also a welcome recreational area for the local population.
Colonel Zweiker was born in Graz in 1965. Today he lives with his wife in Absam. Together they have two grown-up children and one grandchild. Zweiker completed his training as an officer in the fighter force at the Theresian Military Academy. His first assignment after being discharged in 1987 was as a platoon commander in Burgenland. His love of the mountains drew him to Tyrol in 1990. In the 6th Jäger Brigade, he was responsible for operational planning and command for a long time. He gained international operational experience as a company commander in Kosovo and as a staff officer in Afghanistan. He graduated from the National Defense Academy with a Master of Arts in Military Leadership and was most recently deputy commander of the 6th Mountain Brigade. Zweiker is an army mountain guide, state-certified mountain and ski guide, flight rescuer and active member of the Hall in Tirol mountain rescue team. He now also chairs the avalanche commission at the military training area. In addition to mountains (for example Lizumer Reckner 2,886 m, Geier 2,857 m or Lizumer Sonnenspitze 2,831 m), the commander’s area of responsibility includes 38 camps and 72 other buildings. Zweiker wants to preserve this infrastructure and also renovate some of it. The incomparable character and beauty of the mountain terrain are very important to him. In addition, the new commander can expect an exciting field of work. The military training area covers an area of 52 km², making it the second largest military training area in Austria and half the size of Innsbruck. Of the several thousand visitors each year, up to a third are civilian guests. “It is very important to me that everyone who comes to us finds a safe environment and can make the most of this beautiful part of the Tux Alps,” explains Zweiker.
The training ground is a proven and unique training area for mountain troops. Military exercises, live firing and mountain training can take place here at any time of year. At the same time, civilian alpine operations take place, huts of the Austrian Alpine Club invite hiking and mountain enthusiasts. There is even a cheese dairy in the Lizum. Security organizations such as mountain rescue services and the police also like to use the opportunities offered by the military training area. “Due to the military use, there are other dangers in addition to the alpine ones. During live firing, certain areas may not be entered or there may be unexploded ordnance in the area. We do everything we can to ensure that the site can be used safely. Visitors must inform themselves and comply with the safety regulations,” the colonel appeals to everyone who moves around the military training area. With his team, Colonel Zweiker sees himself as a service provider and wants to prove himself as a reliable partner for all users and interest groups. This means a lot of work for Zweiker and his team. Around 70 professional soldiers, conscripts and civilian staff are constantly working on the training ground. In order to achieve his goals, the new commander would like to recruit additional staff. He will certainly be able to employ them. The ceremony to mark the handover of command will probably not take place until January 15, 2021 due to coronavirus.