The "Red Eagle" is back

In the past, ship crews were away from their home port, friends and families for long periods of time. During these weeks and months, the men and women were lucky enough to experience new harbours. They brought their impressions of the host countries back home with them. So there was always something to tell. However, corona is severely restricting even life on the ships. Since leaving Wilhelmshaven on 25 August 2020, the frigate "Brandenburg" has been in service. That alone is a challenge. In addition, however, the crew were not allowed to set foot on land during the entire period for their own protection.
Now, on 6 February, frigate captain Jan Hackstein and his soldiers arrived back in Wilhelmshaven. Relieved, the commander explained: "We have been away from our home port for more than five months. 166 days without shore leave was a completely new experience, even for long-time sailors. In the end, we overcame this challenge well with clear leadership, structure, free time and freedom for the crew, far better than we had feared beforehand. We are now very much looking forward to returning to our loved ones, who have also been through a difficult time and difficult circumstances. It's good to arrive back home safe and sound."
The crew has spent the past few months undergoing continuous training and development. The aim was to maintain the high level of training that the soldiers had achieved by completing the German Operational Sea Training at the end of the EAP. A "Weekly War" and "Mini-Nautexes" not only provided a regular update of knowledge, but also helped to pass the time.
There were also shooting sections and one joint exercise each with the Greek and Turkish navies. With such a long absence, but especially in view of the lack of distraction through shore leave, the care and leisure activities for the crew took on a whole new significance. For many, sport took centre stage. Not only the "weight loss challenge" was well received, but also military fitness, abdominal-leg-buttocks and even a self-defence course for the female part of the crew were gladly and actively used. Valuable support was provided by two embarked soldiers from the sea battalion, who often knew how to get the best out of their comrades.
The crew also got creative when organising their free time. From board and card games to a skat evening, a Mario Kart tournament on the Playstation, a cinema evening with a film of their choice and fresh popcorn, church services at sea and in the harbour, special meals in the form of kebab or pizza evenings, exercises by the on-board choir, an October party, the chance to "swim outboard", a spooky Halloween party and a Christmas market, everything was included.
Over the past few months, the "Red Eagle", as the frigate is affectionately known by its crew, has been the flagship of the Nato Aegean Support Mission. As part of her participation in the Standing Nato Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2), she patrolled the sea area between Turkey and Greece with other units. The mission involved creating a complete picture of the situation in the sea area and gathering information on smuggling activities. The Greek and Turkish authorities and the European border protection agency Frontex were able to use this data to manage their activities. The actual work with migrants and smugglers is the responsibility of the coast guards of the two countries and Frontex.
The men and women of the crew have until March to recover while on holiday. Then preparations begin for the next sea voyage, a training programme for helicopter crews in the North and Baltic Seas.

Text: mb; Photo: Bundeswehr/Leon Rodewald