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The mobile CCIS with satellite communication link (photo: PIZ Luftwaffe)
Stefan Klenz, André Forkert
A contingent of surface-to-air missile systems of the German Defence Forces (1 Deutsche Einsatzkontingent FlaRak) was deployed in Turkey on the 20 January 2013. A total of around 300 soldiers are serving here in the context of Operation Active Fence Turkey (AF TUR) as part of an integrated NATO air defence system. The surface-to-air missiles of the first contingent are mainly provided by Air Defence Missile Groups (Flugabwehrraketengruppen) No. 21 (Sanitz) and No. 24 (Bad Sülze).
Source: Wehrtechnik 2/2013
The mobile CCIS with satellite communication link (photo: PIZ Luftwaffe)
Stefan Klenz, André Forkert
A contingent of surface-to-air missile systems of the German Defence Forces (1 Deutsche Einsatzkontingent FlaRak) was deployed in Turkey on the 20 January 2013. A total of around 300 soldiers are serving here in the context of Operation Active Fence Turkey (AF TUR) as part of an integrated NATO air defence system. The surface-to-air missiles of the first contingent are mainly provided by Air Defence Missile Groups (Flugabwehrraketengruppen) No. 21 (Sanitz) and No. 24 (Bad Sülze).
German PATRIOT missile systems have to date not formed part of German Army missions, as international conflicts in recent years called for the deployment of other elements of the defence forces and the exploitation of other conflict solution potential. However, soldiers in the air defence missile service have contributed five Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLT) in the context of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and regularly provided a security unit for the KFOR mission in Kosovo. A second contingent is currently being trained for deployment to Turkey. A contingent consists of two combat batteries and a command and support component with a total of 170 soldiers. The size and equipment of the batteries is adapted to suit the specific conditions encountered during stationary deployment in Turkey. A PATRIOT surface-to-air missile battery of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) generally consists of a radar set (RS) with phased array antennae for the detection, guiding and tracking of several targets, an engagement control station (ECS) with weapons system computers, up to eight launch stations (LS), each with four guided missiles in the PAC-2 configuration, or up to 16 in the PAC-3 configuration, and IP-based communication systems for data and speech transmission between the launch stations and to superior command levels.
The missile units in the AF TUR mission are supported by personnel from the Army, the Joint Support Service (SKB) and the Central Medical Service, particularly in the area of ABC warfare, logistics and medical services. The upper limit of the mandate envisages 400 soldiers, with around 300 currently in service. The Contingent Commander of all German troops is Colonel (Oberst) Marcus Ellermann, Commodore of Flugabwehrraketengeschwader 1 in Husum. The mandate is limited initially to 12 months until the 31 January 2014, and soldiers serve a tour of approximately four months in the area of operations.
At the same time as the Turkish mission, the NRF deployment is also maintained with a further three combat batteries, including command and support components. This represents a considerable deployment for the German Air Force PATRIOT batteries which, in addition, are due to be reduced by approximately 50% by the 1 April 2013 as part of a restructuring of the German defence forces (Bundeswehr).