Schwarzenborn remains a training area: military exercises remain unchanged!

Schwarzenborn remains a training area: military exercises remain unchanged!

In Schwarzenborn everything remains the same: the training area there will continue to be used as a training area and will not be converted into a military training area. This is confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Sebastian Hagen, the commander of the 1st Jäger Battalion. Since January 1, 2014, the area has no longer been called a military training area and will not be re-designated in the foreseeable future, like the HNA reported.

The on-site training area covers around 1,800 hectares and offers both basic and complex training content for the units stationed there. In addition to the Jäger Battalion 1, the troops active on the site also include the Long-Distance Scout Company 1 and the inactive Jäger Battalion 921. The geographical size of the site covers an extent of 6.5 kilometers from south-west to north-east and 3.1 kilometers from north-west to south-east.

The challenge with sharp shots

Although the training area in Schwarzenborn enables a variety of forms of training, other military training areas in Germany are responsible for conducting live fire. Security concerns for both soldiers and the population play a crucial role here. The “Sharp Shot” is not carried out in Schwarzenborn for all heavy weapon systems, which affects the possible uses. Instead, simulators and training ammunition are increasingly being used to maintain the soldiers' level of training.

In order to maintain an overview, it is important to know that Germany will have a total of 17 military training areas in 2023, which also includes the previous Schwarzenborn military training area, which is now managed as a site training area. These spaces have been greatly reduced in recent decades, particularly after the end of the Cold War, when many military properties were released for civilian use. However, the list of military training areas is by no means a complete compilation, as Wikipedia notes.

Conclusion: A place with tradition

Schwarzenborn is a location with a long history of military use, which now goes back over 150 years. Despite the change to an on-site training area, it is clear that the area continues to play an important role in the training of military personnel. Whether with live fire or modern simulators – the training content is diverse and adapts to current safety requirements.

The decision to retain the training area as a training area is not at the discretion of the 1st Jäger Battalion and shows that the responsible bodies must take into account the challenges of modern times. Given the security situation, it will be exciting to see how the use of the spaces will develop in the future.