German airman assists with Holloman ceremony

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • Air Force News Agency
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) --  Attendees at the 49th Fighter Wing change-of-command ceremony were treated to a strange sight if they looked closely at the honor guard detail that was presenting the colors Jan.11 here as one member of the six-man team stood out, due to the fact that he was wearing a different uniform and carrying a German flag. 

German Senior Airman Stefan Hanke, assigned to the German Air Force Flying Training Center at Holloman Air Force Base, said he was extremely honored to take part in the event.

"I can't describe what I feel," he said. "It was an amazing feeling that I feel will be one of the highlights of my career."

The German had participated in numerous honor guard details in Europe for the Guards of Battalion, group made up of all the different German military branches.

He is now assigned to the training center here that was established in 1996.

The Holloman AFB location provides the Germans many advantages that cannot be found in their country, said Lance Crosthwait, the interim German liaison officer for the center. The weather in New Mexico makes flight training for the German's GR-1 Tornado interdictor strike aircraft possible for more than 300 days a year. In addition, the variety of geographical features in the area is beneficial to their training, Mr. Crosthwait said.

He said the Germans have made a friendly temporary home in New Mexico.

"The German are absolutely welcomed at Holloman and the surrounding communities," he said. "They fit in well, but at the same time they maintain their own culture as well."

The training center also offers a great opportunity for American and German forces to become familiar with each other. German airmen are often sent to Holloman AFB squadrons to become familiar with their procedures and vice versa.

This sharing of information is invaluable in the war on terrorism, Mr. Crosthwait said.

"What may be a simple training problem here could be a catastrophe in a deployed setting," he said. "This is a great place to work out those kinks, so we can complete our missions successfully."

There are many ways the two air forces are different, said German Capt. Klaus Feger, the communications officer at the center. 

Americans possess more manpower and resources that allow them to specialize more, while the Germans are forced to be more jack-of-all trades, he said.  The Americans also think outside the box more while the Germans stick to a set of rules more often.

"Americans are more open to new solutions," Captain Klaus said. "Germans have a lot of rules and it can slow us down at times. Americans will sometimes just do something and don't have to answer to as many people."

The German captain also marveled at how friendly the people in the area have been to him. He said he also enjoys the fact that Americans don't always seem to be in a frantic hurry like people are in Germany.

Airmen at Holloman AFB are enjoying the introduction to a new culture as well.

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