Bundeswehr annual reception in Celle: Henning Otte speaks about security!

Bundeswehr annual reception in Celle: Henning Otte speaks about security!

The traditional annual reception of the Celle site community and the Celle district group of reservists took place on June 13, 2025 in the Immelmann barracks in Wietzenbruch. This festive event brought together a large number of participants, including District Administrator Axel Flader as well as numerous representatives from politics, business, the fire department, aid organizations and the church. The guest of honor of the evening was Henning Otte, the newly elected Armed Forces Commissioner of the German Bundestag, who underlined the importance of the Bundeswehr: “The Bundeswehr must be able to fight in order not to have to fight,” Otte remarked during his speech.

The focus of the speeches was the need to strengthen and expand the Bundeswehr and the reservist associations. Lieutenant Colonel Heiko Tadge discussed the current threat situation from Russia and emphasized the importance of being fit for war. Senior Sergeant Tim Steinmetz informed the audience about the “Joint Cooperation 2025” exercise, which brought together 330 participants from 25 nations to promote cooperation between the armed forces.

Civil-military cooperation

Another important point of the reception was civil-military cooperation. This takes into account the concerns of the civilian population and shows how reservists act as mediators between the armed forces and society. The reserve role is particularly pronounced here, as they play a key role not only in military operations, but also in disaster control and support for the civilian population. Since 2007, reservists have been coordinating Bundeswehr relief efforts during natural disasters and accidents, which makes their work both fulfilling and important. This was also explained by Lieutenant Colonel Hansjörg Schütz, who heads the Bundeswehr liaison command in Koblenz and will soon be retiring. He is recognized for his achievements in the field of civil-military cooperation, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, and praised by his successors.

The responsibilities include advising aid organizations such as the fire brigade and the German Red Cross as well as administrative assistance when there is a lack of civilian capacity. Schütz cited some of the “sharp” operations, such as during the floods in January 2011, where an evacuation of 45,000 people was necessary.

Shared exchange and social gatherings

At the end of the reception, the event also had a social part where everyone present came together over a warm pea soup. The exchange between the active troops and the reservists as well as civil society is of central importance in order to reaffirm the roots of the Bundeswehr in the Celle region. District Administrator Flader once again emphasized this network when he spoke of the close connection between the Bundeswehr and the local population, which points to the importance of this cooperation in times of international tensions and crises.

In summary, the annual reception was not only an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that currently affect us, but also a sign of solidarity and commitment that roots the Bundeswehr and the reservists in society. The exchange between the various actors will continue to be of great importance, as Henning Otte's message made clear.

For more information on this topic, you can take a look at the articles from Celle press and Notruf112.tv throw.