The 1st Corvette Squadron is under new leadership

Bright sunshine in Warnemünde, high-ranking guests and a traditional ceremony. Frigate Captain Marc T. Tippner handed over the 1st Corvette Squadron to his successor, Frigate Captain Stephan Lukascyk. The handover was performed by the deputy commander of Operational Flotilla 1, Kapitän zur See Dr Sascha Zarthe

The post of squadron commander is a career highlight that not everyone is granted: you grow up as a young officer in the unit, and when, after years of hard work, hardship and achievement, you are finally allowed to lead the unit yourself, you know that this is the last time you will be part of it. These are the words of the new commander.

Handing over after many years is therefore also a difficult day emotionally and personally, and you know it's coming. And when it arrives, it may leave you speechless. That's what happened: Frigate Captain Tippner had his thankful and very personal speech to his men and women read out by an officer, as his vocal chords were failing.

The change of command during this time also represents a change of priorities in the squadron: away from UNIFIL and the Aegean and back to the Baltic Sea (see issue 09 of marineforum). The organisation, which is currently permanently present in the Baltic Sea, has reoriented itself towards home waters. The Russian threat in the Baltic Sea is now the daily mission of the corvettes, which are currently being replenished step by step with the new units of the second batch of the K 130. Marc T. Tippner is credited with completing this change, and his successor will continue the certification process until all ten corvettes are ready for deployment. Several other leadership changes had already taken place in the squadron in the morning.

The reception for the guests on the new corvette "Köln" was also proof of this, with the crew immediately offering the guests the typical "Kölsche" drink, as was customary on its predecessors in the old days. The importance of the association was also demonstrated by the high-ranking guests: Lieutenant General Gert Nultzsch, Head of the Bundeswehr Planning Office, Flotilla Admiral Matthias Potthoff, Commander of the Naval Support Command and the new Chief of Staff of the Naval Command, Flotilla Admiral Richard Kesten.

Finally, Frigate Captain Tippner was honoured with the traditional German Navy ceremony, in which an outgoing commander is brought ashore by his officers on a cutter. The crews lined up and saluted him by waving their caps.

marine forum thanks Frigate Captain Tippner for his loyalty and trusting co-operation and wishes the new commander Frigate Captain Lukascyk all the best for the "Let's tackle it" !

Text: hsc

Photos: Bundeswehr/Michelle Peich