For the second time, the military commander of Vorarlberg, Brigadier Ernst Konzett, welcomed numerous guests from politics, authorities and business to the reception of the military command in the barracks in Bregenz. In frosty temperatures, the guests warmed up at the beginning with hot drinks at the military music concert in the courtyard of the Bilgeri barracks. Afterwards, they were able to take their seats in the historic Martin-Häusle Hall on the upper floor.
In his speech, the military commander explained the asymmetric warfare and the new subordination conditions in the province based on the illumination of new threats. A review of the past year, including the large weapons exercise for the militia soldiers in the summer and the “Open Day” at the barracks in Bregenz in the fall, was also included. The outlook for 2019 rounded off the military commander’s presentation.
Brigadier Konzett then thanked former Provincial Councillor Erich Schwärzler for his many years of outstanding cooperation with the soldiers of Vorarlberg and presented him with the first “Honorary Sabre of the Military Command”. The retired military commanders Major General Karl Redl and Brigadier Gottfried Schröckenfuchs also joined in the words of thanks. The new Provincial Councillor for Security, Christian Gantner, showed by his presence at the reception that the close contact between the provincial government and the military command will be maintained in the future. The military commander also used this reception to promote the militia officer and mayor of Gaschurn, Martin Netzer, to major and to introduce the new lieutenant Fabian Höpperger, who has been transferred to Vorarlberg’s Jäger Battalion 23.
Member of Parliament Hubert Kinz, the district governors of Bregenz Elmar Zech and Dornbirn Helgar Wurzer, the garrison mayor of Bregenz Markus Linhart and the state police director Peter Ludescher attended the reception, as did the managing director of the Vorarlberg state hospitals Gerald Fleisch. After the presentation, the guests enjoyed spoon dishes from the field kitchen accompanied by a saxophonist from the military band.
