The Saxony State Command of the German Armed Forces is getting a new commander. After 45 years of service in the troops, Colonel Michael Popielas will hand over the baton to Colonel Marco Tkotz on Thursday. Lieutenant General André Bodemann, Deputy Commander of the Operational Command of the Bundeswehr, and Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) will also take part in the roll call at the memorial grove in Dresden's Graf Stauffenberg Barracks.
"A well-equipped and operational Bundeswehr is of central importance for securing our freedom. Colonel Popielas has led the Saxony State Command as commander with great commitment and professionalism and has always stood for reliable and trusting cooperation," Kretschmer told the German Press Agency. According to Kretschmer, the fact that the Bundeswehr can be relied upon has been demonstrated on several occasions in Saxony, whether during flood disasters or in containing the severe forest fires in Saxon Switzerland and Gohrischheide.
The Bundeswehr is present in Saxony with around 5,000 soldiers and civilian employees. In addition to 42 offices, there are 32 military properties, including the Oberlausitz military training area. The facilities include the Army Officers' School in Dresden, the Army NCO School in Delitzsch, the Leipzig Training Command, the Panzergrenadier Battalion 371 in Marienberg, the Panzergrenadier Brigade 37 in Frankenberg and the Zeithain Material Depot.
