Hub Germany

From August 29 to September 12, the nationwide exercise National Guardian will take place. This exercise is a regular part of the exercise series QUADRIGA (QUAD), which trains the protection of the Baltic Sea area under conditions of crisis and war with the participation of all capabilities.

Germany plays a strategically important role in the defense of NATO's eastern flank. Located in the heart of Europe, it will serve as a hub for the deployment of NATO troops to the eastern flank in the event of an alliance case. In serious cases, this can mean that within six months up to 800,000 soldiers and up to 200,000 vehicles must be accommodated, supplied, and further deployed in Germany. At the same time, the mobilization of German forces is taking place. The support of this complex task can only be provided societally as a whole. This is detailed in the Operations Plan Germany.

The core of the National Guardian exercise is the operation of the "Hub Germany" to support multinational reinforcement forces during their stay in and transit through Germany. The special feature: National Guardian provides actual support services for military forces during their deployment as part of the QUAD exercise series.

The exercise includes exemplary operation and security of the overseas port in Rostock for the transport of vehicles and equipment to NATO’s eastern flank. An airport will be involved for the deployment of soldiers. Additionally, two Convoy Support Centers in Beelitz and at the Oberlausitz military training area will be established as rest points for the military forces, who are deploying to Lithuania for further exercise components of Quadriga. For the first time, all support services at the Convoy Support Center in Oberlausitz will be provided by a civilian contractor: accommodation, catering, refueling, possible replacement procurement, and even guarding and security.

About 350 homeland security forces of the Bundeswehr are a central component of the National Guardian exercise. The reservists serving in homeland security relieve the active troops, who are bound to alliance defense in emergency cases.