On Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 10 a.m., the crews of the Einsatzgruppenupplier (EGV) “Frankfurt am Main” and the frigate “Baden-Württemberg” will cast off for the journey to the Indo-Pacific. The special feature is that the frigate sets off from Rota in Spain and the EGV from Wilhelmshaven and they are seen off by overflights of the German and Spanish air forces. The ships’ common meeting point will then be at sea; the first planned port will be Halifax in Canada.
The Federal Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius, is expected to leave Wilhelmshaven. The inspectors from the Navy and Air Force, Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack and Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, will also be on site. State Secretary Siemtje Möller will say goodbye to “Baden-Württemberg” in Rota.
The “Baden-Württemberg” is leaving with a crew of around 180 soldiers. The “Frankfurt am Main” will embark on the journey with around 200 soldiers. In addition, an on-board helicopter component from Naval Aviation Squadron 5 from Nordholz with two Sea Lynx MK 88A, as well as tactical operations forces from the sea battalion and an on-board dentist group, have embarked.