The weekend of January 19-21, 2024 was all about “Eiswolf24” for the German Bundeswehr. This night orientation exercise near the city of Heide in northern Germany took place for the 16th time and is organized by the Bundeswehr Reservist Association in cooperation with the Schleswig-Holstein State Command.
Participants from six nations
Around 130 professional soldiers and reservists from Germany, Finland, France, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland signed up in teams of two or six people. Sergeant Tatjana Sabitzer from Jägerbataillon 25 took part in the demanding competition in Dithmarschen, 1,370 kilometers away, for the first time with a Bundeswehr soldier.
The night orientation exercise serves to improve physical performance and military knowledge and promotes cooperation among international soldiers. The exercise also serves as preparation for the “Blue Nail” competition that will take place in Denmark in March.
Permanent pressure from “Hunterforce”
The infantry forces, the so-called “Hunter Force”, moved between stations with the task of not only educating the protesters, but also capturing them. These forces were supported by “Fennek” reconnaissance vehicles with thermal imaging devices, drones and a helicopter from the German Federal Police.
A Swiss team of search and rescue dogs also intensified the search for people at the site. If teams were reported for non-tactical behavior and were unable to prevent the attack, they were punished with a point deduction. Serious tactical deficiencies were punished by moving to a new, unknown delivery point in a dark vehicle.
Challenging station operations
From the Wulf Isebrand barracks in Heide, it was necessary to complete a 55-kilometer circuit. The teams began their march at 7pm from several delivery points and had to reach a total of nine stations by 11pm the following day, when they received the coordinates of the next station. Between 7:00 am and 11:00 am a rest break was organized for all participants, during which the teams took a break from combat. However, the use of “Hunterforce” continued unchanged.
At stations, teams were required to have military knowledge, as well as teamwork and use of force. The stations were manned by German and Danish soldiers, but also by civilian organizations such as the “German Technical Assistance Organization” or the “German Life Saving Society”.
Exercise Reviews
As with other competitions of this type, the points achieved at the stations as well as the marching time points determined the overall result. During the “Eiswolf24” night orientation exercise, all stations had to be visited and a schedule had to be adhered to.
The experiences of repeat participants and a well thought out time/point calculation have proven to be good guides for the rating to be achieved. The team of a Finnish special unit became the winner and winner of the coveted “Ice Wolf” challenge cup. The Austro-German team takes with it the experience acquired to take advantage of the advantages it identified in “Eiswolf25”.
Jager 25 Battalion