For the third time, the Bundeswehr and civilian forces will practice cooperation in crisis situations during “Red Storm Charlie” from September 24 to 26 around the Port of Hamburg. The first exercise of the Red-Storm series took place in 2024; after “Alpha” followed “Bravo” last year. In “Charlie,” the number of participating soldiers remains almost the same as the previous year at about 500, according to the Hamburg State Command of the Bundeswehr, while the number of civilian organizations increases significantly to around 60.
Alongside the fire department, police, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (Technisches Hilfswerk) and other blue-light organizations as well as the Hamburg Port and Logistics AG, other companies such as Hamburg Airport, Airbus and even Edeka are involved. Because the exercise is not only about the deployment of troops and material via the Hamburg transport hub in a tense or alliance scenario, but also scenarios of overall societal defense. In parallel, the Red Storm Business exercise runs with its own projects from the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and other business representations.
Red Storm Charlie Develops Exercise Concept Further
During “Red Storm Bravo,” in addition to soldiers from the Panzergrenadier Training Battalion 92 from Munster, the Supply Battalion 141 from Neustadt am Rübenberge, the Transport Helicopter Regiment 10 from Fassberg, as well as local units and offices, 300 civilian forces were already involved. The practical scenario of merging forces and material for a rapid redeployment to the Baltic states began with a nocturnal convoy of around 70 Bundeswehr vehicles through the city, which is planned again this time.
Drone defense and a mass casualty incident at Blohm+Voss were additional exercise focal points. In this year, “Red Storm Charlie” is intended to further develop the concept. A particular emphasis, according to the Bundeswehr, lies in even closer cooperation among the participating partners. The aim is to foster exchange among all parties, strengthen mutual familiarity, train joint procedures, and further prepare the State Command Hamburg for its duties.
