British Forces Germany

British Forces in Germany (English: "British Forces Germany ", in short: BFG ) is since 1994 the name of the British troops, who entertained a part of foreign military bases in Germany. Until then, the term British Army of the Rhine was (English: "British Army of the Rhine ", in short: BAOR ) used.

Structure

The British Armed Forces in Germany are divided into two main command areas, each commanded by a Major General:

• The British Support Command United Kingdom Support Command (Germany ) ( UKSC (G)), which is located in Mönchengladbach, is responsible for administrative tasks and logistical support of the British units in Germany and on the European mainland. In Mönchengladbach, there was also the headquarters of the rapids Eingreifkorps NATO (Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps ( ARRC ) ). In summer 2010, it moved the staff of the ARRC by Innsworth in Gloucestershire in England.
• The stationed in Herford 1st (UK) Armoured Division (1st Armoured Division ) commanded the British Forces troops in Germany. In Herford Germany, the headquarters of the British soldier station BFBS has its headquarters

Locations

The BFG are divided into four garrisons:

• Gütersloh with locations in Bielefeld, Gütersloh, Herford and Luebbecke
• Paderborn with locations in Hameln, Paderborn and Sennelager
• Rhine with the locations Dülmen, Elmpt, holders and Wulfen

In 2006, about 23,000 soldiers, 2,000 civilian employees and 30,000 family members in Germany.

The garrison Osnabrück was closed in 2009. The withdrawal began on 25 September 2008 with the closure of the Quebec Barracks. On March 26, 2009, it was returned to the Federal Republic of Germany with the Mercer and Imphal Barracks the last barracks. On 31 March 2009 left the final location commander, Colonel Mark Cuthert -Brown, Osnabrück. Since April 1, 2009 the garrison Osnabrück exists, once the largest British garrison outside of the United Kingdom, no more.

The British forces operate in Germany including two large military training areas and several local training courses, 32 schools (eg the King's School in Gütersloh ), 50 NAAFI-E inkaufszentren and nine cinemas. For the military personnel and their family members since 1970, the weekly newspaper Sixth Sense appears, based in Bielefeld. In addition, BFBS sends from Herford and other sites, two radio stations and a television channel for the soldiers. The BFBS Radio 1 Germany program is broadcast through powerful transmitter so that it can be received on FM in many parts of Lower Saxony. In North Rhine- Westphalia, by locals like frequency used was passed 96.5 MHz of transmitter Langenberg in Germany Kultur August 1, 2010; BFBS sends here now on several locally receivable frequencies.

In December 2013, the Münster site Gievenbeck was abandoned with the Oxford Barracks.

Future

The number of soldiers should be reduced by 2014 to about 16,000 in 2019 to 15,000. Simultaneously, a restructuring of the remaining units was planned that has the closure of Rhine Garrison result. Should be retained for the time being the garrisons Hohne, Gütersloh and Paderborn, which should be partially or enlarged.

With the relocation of the HQ ARRC Monchengladbach into English Innsworth 2010 began the closure of Rhine Garrison, which should be completed by 2014. Among other things, the headquarters of the British Support Command should ( UKSC G ) () are laid between 2011 and 2013 from Mönchengladbach to Herford.

By 2035, finally should also consider the three remaining garrisons closed and all British troops be withdrawn from Germany.

In October 2010, British Prime Minister David Cameron in the House, however, announced that the then currently around 20,000 British soldiers should already be fully deducted in 2020 from Germany. The starting point for this was initiated by the British government strategic defense and security review (Strategic Defence and Security Review - SDSR ). A number of early decisions was announced in 2011: The Rheindahlen Military Complex ( Mönchengladbach ) is the latest by March 2014 (in fact, in December 2013), the Münster site by March 2014 (in fact, in November 2013); of Hameln site to the summer of 2014 at the latest and the Javelin Barracks in Niederkruechten Elmpt by March 2016 abandoned.

In March 2013, the British defense minister then announced going on, that around 70 percent of Army Staff ( 11,000 soldiers ) should be relocated to the UK until the end of 2015. The remaining soldiers should return home until 2019.

For Lower Saxony is provided stationed in Bergen- Hohne and Bad Fallingbostel units gradually zurückzuverlegen to the UK so that the barracks expected to be released end of 2015. In these locations, some 5,000 British troops are currently stationed.

In North Rhine -Westphalia around 10,000 British soldiers are currently stationed at locations in Bielefeld, Herford, Gütersloh, Paderborn and Elmpt. The headquarters of the 1st British Armoured Division and Signal Regiment of the headquarters in Herford expected to be transferred back to the end of 2015 to the UK and the three barracks are abandoned. It is intended to continue to use a number of houses and flats for staff stationed in Bielefeld. In Herford around 800 soldiers are stationed. Stationed in Gütersloh in the Princess Royal Barracks units are either dissolved or gradually moved back to the UK. It is envisaged that the Princess Royal Barracks indemnify approximately 2016. In this barracks currently serve 2,500 soldiers. The Mansergh Barracks and the fact -based King's School will continue to be used. Here are some 500 soldiers. It is not currently expected that these barracks is abandoned before 2017. At the Bielefeld site there are some internal restructuring. The site will continue to be actively used and new home July 31, 2013, the headquarters of the British Forces Germany, which was moved from Mönchengladbach - Rheindahlen to Bielefeld. The depots in Dülmen Wulfen and stay until the complete withdrawal from Germany exist. The barracks in Paderborn and Sennelager remain for the time being continue to exist and the original resolution of the sites is not intended before 2017. In Paderborn and Sennelager 4,000 British troops are stationed. The future practice operating on the military training ground Senne camp is part of a separate study. Details and results of this are not available at this time.