Farewell serenade of the Luftwaffe: 3,000 guests celebrated in Fürstenfeldbruck!

Farewell serenade of the Luftwaffe: 3,000 guests celebrated in Fürstenfeldbruck!

On July 4, 2025 there was an emotional farewell to the Air Force Officers' School (OSLw) in Fürstenfeldbruck. Around 3,000 citizens came together to attend the farewell serenade in the picturesque ambience in front of the monastery church. This ceremony, accompanied by torchbearers and the Army Music Corps from Ulm, offered an impressive musical program that included, among other things, the “Flying March” and the Bavarian and national anthems. This event not only offered space for sadness, but also for gratitude and pride in the 48-year history of the OSLw in Fürstenfeldbruck.

At the reception in the Churfürstensaal, to which around 120 invited guests were invited, the important role and achievements of the OSLw were acknowledged. Lieutenant General Holger Neumann, Inspector of the Air Force, emphasized how important the air base is until the end of 2030. Florian Herrmann, head of the State Chancellery, described the OSLw as the flagship of the Bundeswehr, while Mayor Christian Götz explained that Fürstenfeldbruck had always been a home for the OSLw. Another highlight was certainly the reflection by retired Lieutenant General Klaus Habersetzer on the impressive history of the facility.

Moving and changes

The OSLw and the officers' dormitory company are leaving the air base, which represents the final part of a comprehensive civilian redevelopment process of the 200 hectare area. The move to a new building in Roth near Nuremberg will be completed by the end of September. The city is thus preparing for major change, as there are already plans for a new district on the former barracks site. The complete withdrawal of the Bundeswehr from Fürstenfeldbruck is scheduled for 2030, with the medical service withdrawing at the end of 2025 and other departments to follow.

An interesting farewell note: on the Thursday before the serenade, several military aircraft, including Tornados and Eurofighters, flew over the military site. These overflights were part of routine exercises for national and alliance defense, but also made citizens aware of the upcoming changes.

The discussion about compulsory military service

Especially in times of change, the topic of compulsory military service always triggers discussions. The debate about a possible reintroduction is particularly triggered by geopolitical tensions, such as the attack on Ukraine. Political and military representatives, such as Inspector General Eberhard Zorn, have spoken out against a return to compulsory military service because it is no longer considered useful given modern challenges. Conscription, it is argued, does not fit the needs of the specialized, well-trained force needed today to respond to current and future threats. Astrid Rothe-Beinlich from the Greens described the reference to Ukraine as “fundamentally wrong” and pointed out that such a mass army would not meet the demands of international crisis management.

The celebrations in Fürstenfeldbruck were a worthy farewell and at the same time ushered in a new era for the city and the Bundeswehr. The challenge now is to manage this transition in such a way that the values ​​and experiences of history remain in memory while looking forward.