Change of command in the support squadron

On Wednesday, 20 September 2023 at 10 a.m., the commander of Operational Flotilla 1, Flotilla Admiral Sascha Helge Rackwitz, will hand over command of the support squadron based there from Frigate Captain Uwe Lahl to Frigate Captain Stefan Meier-Neuhold at Kiel Naval Base.

Frigate Captain Uwe Lahl, Photo: Bundeswehr

Frigate Captain Lahl has commanded the support squadron for two years. It is the youngest squadron in the German Navy and is home to five "Elbe" class tenders. It was only established in 2016 and has been indispensable ever since. The tenders were originally supply ships directly assigned to the fast patrol boat and minesweeper squadrons. As their operational spectrum has expanded considerably over the course of time, they were eventually merged into the support squadron with the aim of achieving greater flexibility. The only exception is the tender "Main", which operates specifically for the 1st Submarine Squadron.

Whether in the navy's missions abroad, as a command platform for NATO's two permanent mine defence units or in their original role as suppliers for boat formations, the tenders have developed into real workhorses of the fleet. Frigate Captain Stefan Meier-Neuhold returns to the Kiel Fjord from the policy department of the Ministry of Defence.