Annual Reception of the Bundeswehr Stationed at Koblenz-Lahnstein
Koblenz, 04/25/2008.
More than 200 invited guests met at the Kurfürstliche Schloss in Koblenz for the Annual Reception of the Bundeswehr stationed at Koblenz-Lahnstein.
On 25 April 2008 the Kurfürstliches Schloss (Electoral Palace) in Koblenz provided the ceremonial setting for the annual reception of the Bundeswehr. More than 200 guests had followed the invitation issued by Detlev Petry, President of the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB). Among them were numerous high-ranking representatives from politics, Bundeswehr, administration, regional industry and defense industry as well as neighboring cities and communities.
In his welcome address, President Petry highlighted the close bonds formed a long time ago between the Bundeswehr and the location of Koblenz-Lahnstein. He explained that despite manpower cuts in recent years Koblenz-Lahnstein had retained its important status as the largest Bundeswehr location in Rhineland-Palatinate. President Petry also pointed out the new challenges faced by the Bundeswehr in connection with its transformation to an army on operations. This has a major impact not only on the armed forces but also on the civilian Federal Defense Administration. In this context President Petry stressed the BWB's responsibility for providing safe and operational equipment to the servicemen and women on deployment.
The welcome address of the government of Rhineland-Palatinate was given by Hans-Dieter Gassen, Director of the Structural and Approval Authority North in Koblenz. Director Gassen stressed the importance of the Bundeswehr for the region of Koblenz-Lahnstein and for Rhineland-Palatinate and expressed his gratitude for the trustful cooperation.
The musical accompaniment for the reception was provided by the Woodwind Quintet of Army Band 300. The Annual Reception is hosted in turn by the civilian and military Bundeswehr agencies located at Koblenz-Lahnstein. Next year the reception will be hosted by the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement.
