Change of commander in the Trossgeschwader

Today, the commander of the Operational flotilla 2, Flotilla Admiral Axel Schulz, the command of the Trossgeschwader of Frigate Captain Thorsten Geldmacher to the squadron's new commander, Captain Andreas Schmekel. The handover ceremony took place on the task force provider "Berlin" at the Heppenser Groden naval base in Wilhelmshaven. The outgoing commander, Frigate Captain Geldmacher, had been in command of the squadron for five years. Geldmacher says of this period: "The past few years as Commander of the Trossgeschwader were characterised by the COVID-19 pandemic, the turning point and the efforts to renew the Trossgeschwader's civilian ship fleet. In addition to the new construction of the two class 707 naval fuel supply vessels, which has already begun, I am particularly pleased with the rapid procurement of the ocean-going tugs 'Rügen' and 'Borkum', which will enable the Transport squadron will continue to support and relieve the fleet in many areas, including participation in missions and exercises in NATO formations.

The  Transport squadron Under Geldmacher's leadership, the German Navy and its units have made a significant contribution to all international commitments in these years - from the VJTF, SNMG 1 and 2, EUNAVFOR IRINI, support for NATO activities in the Aegean to the participation of the task force provider 'Frankfurt am Main' in the current Indo-Pacific Deployment," says Frigate Captain Geldmacher. His special thanks therefore go to all crews and staff who have made this outstanding record possible through their performance and commitment. In future, Geldmacher will serve as Deputy Commander and Head of Training at the Naval Operations School in Bremerhaven.

The new commander, Captain Schmekel, was previously Group Leader Operative Logistics at the Naval Command in Rostock.

Photos: Dirk Heuer