Fishtown Guard 2024

Bundeswehr exercises in the city of Bremerhaven

As part of the Fishtown Guard 2024 exercise, the Bremen Homeland Security Company will be conducting an exercise in the city of Bremerhaven under the leadership of Bremen State Command. This is called Fishtown Guard 2024 and is planned for the period from 12 to 18 September. From 14 September, Bundeswehr forces will be exercising a visible presence in the area of the Thünen Institute and on the grounds of the Weser-Jade-North Sea Waterways and Shipping Office in Bremerhaven. In addition, the double lock in the fishing harbour will be virtually included in the exercise.

The seaside city of Bremerhaven plays a central role as Germany's logistics hub, not only for the economy, but also in the context of national and alliance defence.

The protection of maritime infrastructure is part of the homeland defence forces' security mission. The Bundeswehr in the federal state of Bremen therefore wants to prepare its homeland defence forces - reservists from the Bremen Homeland Security Company - accordingly as part of the exercise. At the same time, the necessary cooperation between all relevant authorities and organisations with security tasks (BOS) must be practised in order to increase the confidence of all players to act in the event of a crisis, including in the event of tension and defence. This exercise is a practical consequence of the turnaround. It strengthens Germany's overall social and national resilience and improves the armed forces' readiness for war. Several dozen soldiers in uniform with the appropriate equipment will be present at the exercise locations and practise various scenarios. These include defence against attempts at disruption, sabotage and espionage from the air, from the seaside and from the landside. In addition to protecting the maritime infrastructure, a key objective is to practise securing material transports of the US armed forces. Realistic exercises also include carrying a weapon and the use of manoeuvre ammunition. The main focus of the exercises will be during the daytime hours. Patrol activities are to be expected at night. In addition to the homeland security forces, members of the police and fire brigade will also be involved in the exercise (around 20 people). In the run-up to the exercise, the public will be informed in detail about the course of the exercise, including through two public dialogues.