ESTATEMENT FEATURE: Progress on the German front
22 Jan 10
It’s been 20 years since the monumental collapse of the Berlin Wall and with the Cold War era now rapidly following it into the history books, one may assume that British Forces Germany are now enjoying some well deserved peace and quiet. But with 56,000 British personnel based in the country today who have a key role to play in supporting Defence objectives, Sara Smith explains why things are far from quiet on the German front.
Map showing British military bases in Germany
[Picture: MOD / Crown Copyright 2009]
British Forces Germany (BFG) have been stationed in the country for over 60 years, with a military presence in locations ranging from Elmpt, on the border between Germany and Holland in the west of Nord Rhein-Westfalen, to Fallingbostel, in the North-East of Niedersachsen Lower Saxony.
The military estate in Germany is managed by DE’s Operations International division and over the last two years it has successfully delivered a number of significant projects.
Air Commodore Alan Opie, Head of DE Operations International explains:
"I am delighted that we have been able to make real progress in Germany in recent years by delivering a challenging and varied programme of infrastructure projects.
"Working closely with our customers, it has been a true team effort and the new facilities are making a real difference to the support that we can provide for the front line troops and their families who are based in Germany."
Inside the new Command Joint Operations Centre, Sennelager
[Picture: MOD / Crown Copyright 2009]
Command Joint Operations Centre
July 2009 saw the commencement of a project in Sennelager to install a replica of the Command Joint Operations Centre (CJOC) currently used by UK troops in southern Afghanistan.
This vital pre-deployment training facility will prepare military personnel for deployments to the country, facilitating parts of the mission critical Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRX).
This complex project, which saw the delivery of offices, instructor and plant rooms would normally have taken three months to complete, but DE delivered it in just seven weeks.
Deputy Head DE Operations International European Division John Regan said:
"This facility will provide invaluable simulation training for troops posted to Afghanistan and will enable them to move swiftly into a fully operational role."
Originally built as a temporary facility, the high standard of construction achieved has led to the CJOC being considered for future pre-deployment training as well.
The new restaurant in Hohne
[Picture: MOD / Crown Copyright 2009]
Hohne Garrison Restaurant Project
A modern central catering and dining facility for Junior Ranks was opened in June 2008, rationalising existing, out-of-date kitchens, spread across Hohne Garrison. It provides catering for 6-800 soldiers and is the flagship Pay As You Dine (PAYD) canteen in Germany.
Gary Morris, Hohne Garrison Requirements Manager is delighted with the new facility.
"The new kitchen was completed on time for the return of 7 Armoured Brigade from Operation TELIC and has been extremely well received. Everyone in Hohne is using it, especially the soldiers’ families. This state-of-the-art facility has added real value to the Garrison amenities."
On its completion, the restaurant was awarded a prestigious German Construction Administration (GCA) Award for its design and the project’s management.
New Service familiy housing in Hohne
[Picture: MOD / Crown Copyright 2009]
Improving Service Families Accommodation (SFA) across Germany
A project to deliver upgraded or replace leased SFA in Gütersloh, Hohne and Paderborn Garrisons to Grade 1 or 2 for condition by 2012 is well underway, with approximately two thirds of the programme completed.
The project was initiated following a study that identified that the majority of leased properties were in poor condition, of the wrong type and costly. It will deliver homes fit for modern families by either modernising or replacing leased-SFA, within the existing rental cost.
Army wife, Sarah Hughes, who has recently moved into a new house in Gütersloh is thrilled with her new home. She said:
"I love it here! I thought they were showing me the wrong house when we arrived because it is so nice. This is our fourth quarter and compared to all the others this is a palace. It’s the best house we have ever had; all houses should be like this."
The new Court Martial Centre, Sennelager
[Picture: MOD / Crown Copyright 2009]
Court Martial Centre Sennelager
September 2009 saw the unveiling of a £3.7million Military Court Centre in Sennelager. The state-of-the-art building is the only Military Court Centre for the British Forces outside the UK.
The building comprises two independent working court rooms and also boasts a Japanese style courtyard, designed to offer a calm reflection area for witnesses and families.
It also houses a cutting-edge video conferencing system that allows military witnesses to give evidence whilst on Operations or from as far a field as Belize.
Judge Advocate Michael Elsom, who attended the opening ceremony said:
"The finished building is better than many Crown Courts in the UK. This new court centre means that state-of-the-art facilities are available for the administration of military justice in the Armed Forces and that is a tremendous step forward by comparison with the well-tried and tested older court martial centres."
This article, by Sara Smith, first appeared in the Winter 2009 edition of Estatement - delivering estate solutions to Defence needs.