It is one of many material depots of the German Armed Forces. Somewhere in Germany. They are part of the defense-critical infrastructure of the German armed forces. In addition to material depots, they also include seaports, ammunition depots, loading stations and logistics transshipment points for the Bundeswehr and allied partner states. On this late April day, the entrance to the station is secured with red and white barriers made of concrete and barbed wire. Bundeswehr homeland security forces are practising their core mission: protecting the material store – around the clock.
The sky is overcast and it is cold and windy for April in Baden-Württemberg. But despite the wet and cold, the homeland security officers in Karlsruhe are fully focused. The threat situation has intensified during the “National Guardian 2024” exercise. The protection of defense-critical infrastructure is being increased, including at Materiallager II on the outskirts of Karlsruhe. The access road is controlled by homeland security forces with a guard post.
It doesn’t stay peaceful, nor does routine come about during the exercise: intrusion attempts, unannounced protests at the fence, classified documents to be smuggled out of the camp and even an attack with a Molotov cocktail have to be fended off. These are not necessarily scenarios that are only conceivable in a tense situation. It could also be the case earlier – if the crisis in Eastern Europe (-> current news from the Ukraine war) comes to a head or the hybrid threats become clearer and more tangible. “During the ‘National Guardian 2024’ exercise, the three homeland security companies currently based in Baden-Württemberg are also practising securing infrastructure that is important for defense. Only what is practised in peacetime will work in an emergency,” says the commander of the Baden-Württemberg State Command, Colonel Thomas Köhring, with conviction. 
Reserve as an important part of homeland security
The three homeland security companies are subordinate to the state command. From October this year, a further homeland security company will be set up in Pfullendorf. The majority of homeland security officers belong to the reserve. Around 150 homeland security officers are involved in the current “National Guardian 2024” exercise under the responsibility of the Bundeswehr’s Territorial Command and are being trained by around 50 active soldiers. They are training in everything they need to do to secure vital defense infrastructure. They check identity papers, search vehicles and ensure that only those with the right to do so pass through their airlock. Routine in everyday service, but certainty of action in an exceptional situation – that’s what counts. https://militaeraktuell.at/saab-erhaelt-gripen-auftrag-aus-schweden/ The entire site must be continuously guarded. This presents the patrols in Karlsruhe with very special challenges: Drones spying on the site, flyers and propaganda fluttering over the fence. The challenge is to make quick decisions, especially when things get confusing. “Even under a lot of stress, you have to keep calm, apply what you’ve learned and prioritize the situation,” says staff sergeant Michael H. Embedded in the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War
Germany is currently involved in the largest NATO-exercise since the end of the Cold War. With “Steadfast Defender 2024”, NATO is practising the Alliance’s case on the eastern flank and demonstrating its defense readiness. Around 90,000 soldiers – 12,000 of them from the Bundeswehr – are deployed. The Bundeswehr is participating in the German exercise series “Quadriga 2024”, among other things. “National Guardian” is part of this series. Here, the Bundeswehr’s homeland security forces are practising national territorial defense tasks throughout Germany under the responsibility of the Bundeswehr’s Territorial Command.
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