A few days ago, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner christened the airbase Leopold Figl – General Pabisch Air Base (-> new name for Brumowski Air Base) the new hot air balloon in camouflage pattern of the army with the name “Polaris”. This is intended to intensify the army’s advertising activities.
“‘Polaris’ will mainly be used in our personnel campaign and will appear wherever we see an opportunity to inspire young people to join the armed forces. We want to show them that there is no other professional sector in which there are so many development opportunities, in which employees can take advantage of great promotion prospects – for example from apprentice to graduate or from non-commissioned officer to officer – and in which leaders at all levels can develop to the full,” says Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. The Minister continued: “It is not a job like any other, it is a job in the service of the Republic, which is dedicated to protecting our population and our borders. A task that is more relevant today than ever. Together with the many new procurements in the Armed Forces, ‘Polaris’ is intended to be a shining star, a symbol of change and modernization – the ‘Mission Forward’ – pointing the way into the age of ‘Armed Forces 2032+’. I wish our youngest employee all the best.” https://militaeraktuell.at/schlacht-bei-wagram/
The “Polaris” advertising balloon
The balloon is used as a tethered balloon and exclusive passenger balloon for free balloon flights. Up to four people plus the pilot can be transported per flight. The balloon is owned by the Austrian Armed Forces and operated by Flaggl Ballooning GmbH. The useful life of the envelope of a hot air balloon is around six years. The costs amount to around 50,000 euros.
The name “Polaris” – also known as the North Star – was chosen. It is the brightest star in the “Little Dipper” and the most important star for orientation in the northern hemisphere.
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