"Ambassadors in blue" - German Naval Task Group arrived in New York with two state-of-the-art warships
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- Consul General Freitag and the Commander of the German Task Group, Captain Jens Beckmann
- (© Germany.info)
On the early morning of May 11th, the German Air Defence Frigate "FGS Sachsen" and the Combat Support Vessel "FGS Frankfurt am Main" arrived at Pier 7 in Brooklyn. From January 20th to June 13th, the Task Group has been and will be visiting ten different countries. After several stops in Europe and Latin America, and tactical exercises, the two ships are anchoring in the port of New York.
At a lunch reception with high-ranking representatives from politics and economics, Consul General Horst Freitag and Ambassador Martin Ney welcomed the Commander of the German Task Group, Captain Jens Beckmann and his crew, to New York. Beckmann, who also served during "Operation Enduring Freedom", informed about the naval mission.
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- Entering frigate "FGS Sachsen" for the reception
- (© Germany.info)
In the evening on the "FGS Sachsen", selected guests gained an impression of German high-standard naval ship technology and design on the occasion of an on board dinner reception. In his welcoming address, Captain Beckmann emphasized the dedication to the transnational understanding.
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- Crew of "FGS Sachsen" performing Flag Parade onboard
- (© Germany.info)
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- Crew of "FGS Sachsen" performing Flag Parade
- (© Germany.info)
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- Captain Jens Beckmann giving his welcoming address onboard "FGS Sachsen"
- (© Germany.info)
Later on, the crew performed the Flag Parade: Just in time for sunset, the German flag was lowered against the spectacular scenery of Manhattan’s skyline. The traditional ceremony was completed with the German and American national anthems.
Both warships are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and able to face the international challenges of the 21st century. The "FGS Sachsen” provides long range weapon systems and modern command and control equipment. The "FGS Frankfurt am Main" is the largest German warship and serves multiple purposes, e.g. supporting medical relief during the 2004 tsunami disaster in Indonesia.
The ships will remain in New York until May 15th. During their visit, the crew will lay a wreath in commemoration of the victims of 9/11 on Ground Zero. According to their “mission as Ambassadors in blue”, they will welcome students of the German School New York, as well as students from the Harlem Sisulu-Walker Charter School and the St. H.O.P.E. Leadership Academy.
