30th June 2015 - Change of Command of the Bundeswehr Technical Advisory Group

fhrungswechsel2015f. l.t.r. Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Moeller, Ambassador Onno Hückmann (German Embassy), Lieutenant Colonel Rainer Hoch. (© German Embassy Windhoek)

On the 25 June 2015, Lieutenant Colonel Rainer Hoch took over the command of the Technical Advisory Group of the German Armed Forces in Namibia (GAFTAG) from his predecessor Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Moeller. Ambassador Onno Hückmann honoured the achievements of Lieutenant Colonel Moeller und emphasized successful projects such as the" Mobile Field Hospital UN Level II" and the Motor Vehicle Training Workshop, Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA) – Level. He also praised the efficient co-operation with the Namibian Defence Force, who also contribute financially to all the projects.

Ambassador Hückmann said that the Namibian Defense Force has performed impeccably whenever it participated in regional peacekeeping and stabilisation operations. The mission of GAFTAG is to enhance Namibia's capacity to contribute to peace and stability in Africa even better. He encouraged the Namibian partners to make good use of these capabilities and to become an example of regional responsibility.

The decisions of the latest AU Summit bode well for the future of the African Standby Force. Namibia could play a leading role in the buildup of the Rapid Deployable Capabilities foreseen in the framework of the African Standby Force. GAFTAG and the German Government remain committed to accompany Namibia on this path.

The Deputy Military Attachée from Pretoria, Lieutenant Colonel Hopper, (in the general staff service) read out greetings and words of thanks from Colonel Selbert, Deputy Commander of the German Army School for Technical Land Systems and Head of the German Advisory Group Namibia.

After almost seven years in Namibia, Lieutenant Colonel Moeller is now following a posting to NATO in Turkey. His successor, Lieutenant Colonel Rainer Hoch, received best wishes for his new command and for the implementation of present projects.