Animal strength in action: pack animal exercise in Bad Reichenhall!

Animal strength in action: pack animal exercise in Bad Reichenhall!

At the beginning of November, a remarkable company tour of the operations and training center for pack animals 230 took place in picturesque Bad Reichenhall. Colonel Björn-Ulrich Kohlbach put the company's military fitness to the test in a well-thought-out defense scenario. Around 100 soldiers and 23 pack animals took part in the exercise, which provided an impressive picture of the unit's operational readiness and capabilities. This is part of the regular reviews ordered by the German Army leadership in 2025 to evaluate all companies for their effectiveness, reports the PNP.

In this comprehensive review, not only combat services were on the program, but also day and formal services, military fitness as well as demanding shooting and obstacle courses. The highlight of the exercise was a combat exercise lasting several days that took place at the Kammer training area in Traunstein. The company relocated with a total of 39 vehicles, including pack animal transporters, field cranes and a veterinary rescue vehicle. Company commander Senior Field Veterinarian Heike M. was given the task of organizing supplies for the mountain infantry company at the Silberg training area in Bischofswiesen.

The challenge of supply

In small teams, the soldiers explored the route for transporting materials with pack animals. They mastered challenging terrain of 4 kilometers and 400 meters in altitude while transporting 2 tons of water, supplies, food, weapon systems and ammunition. This exercise tested the supply of troops under realistic conditions. After a fictitious exchange of fire with the enemy, the care of wounded comrades and the veterinary rescue chain had to be ensured.

Particular attention was paid to a mule that suffered a simulated shot in the leg during the exercise. A farrier was called in to treat the injury with a pressure bandage. The mule was then taken to the veterinary station for field care. This challenging simulation illustrated the versatility and use of pack animals in a military context, which was underlined by the unit's competent specialists and their successfully completed subtasks of the week.

Military training and its importance

Military training and education have a long tradition and are closely linked to the state. In this context, military-historical research has focused on forms of training and their role in society. A next panel, scheduled to take place on September 4, 2024, will address, among other things, military education in the late antique imperial court and the training of medieval warriors. These developments are crucial to understanding military culture and education over the centuries and provide exciting insights into the interactions between society and the military.

Overall, the company tour in Bad Reichenhall shows not only the commitment of the soldiers, but also the importance of military training for modern troops. In a world where security and defense are becoming increasingly complex, the combination of tradition and innovation is essential.

For further information also report PNP, the Wikipedia offers insightful background information about Saarland, and the Military history portal informs about the military history conference 2024.