Armed Forces: 28th information and performance show in Vienna shows “Mission Forward”

2023-10-26 18:10:06

Tanner: “The main task is to defend our country with weapons”

Vienna (OTS) – This year, the Austrian Federal Army traditionally presented itself around the national holiday with an information and performance show at four locations in Vienna’s city center. Soldiers demonstrated their tasks and skills in 13 thematic areas at Heldenplatz, Am Hof, Freyung and the Burgtheater. Under the motto “Mission Forward,” the Federal Army demonstrated what it can do to hundreds of thousands of visitors – more than last year.

Traditionally, wreath-laying ceremony at Heldenplatz by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the federal government, led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, opened the celebrations for the national holiday. Hundreds of thousands of visitors who came to the historic square attended the inauguration of 950 recruits, including 25 female soldiers, who swore the oath of loyalty to the Republic of Austria.

In her speech, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner emphasized the profound symbolism of the red-white-red flag, which goes far beyond a mere piece of fabric. “It is the symbol of our republic, our society and community, even our family and home. It gives us support and orientation, it is the one that symbolizes everything that is worth fighting for.” Tanner also called for vigilance in view of the unstable geopolitical situation in the world and emphasized the essential importance of a well-equipped and strong army the security of the homeland. “Only those who prepare for battle in peace are able to fight in an emergency, to defend themselves, to protect what we love.”

Klaudia Tanner encouraged those present to show respect and recognition to the soldiers. “They are men and women, daughters and sons, mothers and fathers, people from the middle of society who give everything for our society.”

“Our army has achieved incredible things in recent years. Just think of the countless natural disasters or the corona pandemic, in which our army did and gave everything to help. But now we have to get back to our core tasks. The main task is to defend our country with weapons – as soldiers,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.

What’s new at the information and performance show in Vienna and Innsbruck

The Federal Army presented itself with 13 subject areas – five more than last year – including “Military National Defense”, “Career in the Army”, “Basic Military Service”, “Sport in the Federal Army”, “Air Surveillance”, “Foreign Operations”, “Medical Supply”, “Cyber /Research and Technology”, “ABC Defense”, “Mountain Troops”, “Militia”, “Troop Training Areas and Nature Conservation” and “Air Support”. At the latter station, the new Leonardo AW-169 “Lion” helicopter, of which Austria has purchased 36, was on display for the first time. The dynamic demonstrations by the pioneers from Styria and the soldiers of Jägerbataillon 25 from Klagenfurt as well as the show drill by the guards were also very well received. The “Jump Bags”, the climbing tower, the “Military Course” with typical military sporting requirements as well as an “Escape Room”, the zip line and the “Palatschinken Stations” with adventure cooking were also crowd pullers.

Thousands of visitors found out about national defense at Innsbruck Airport on the national holiday.

Honors as appreciation, live broadcast and tattoo

Further highlights were the presentation of the “Militia Award” by Defense Minister Tanner, Education Minister Polaschek and the militia representative Hameseder to the teacher and militia officer Major Stefan Kuess as well as the presentation of the “Golden Medal of Honor of the Republic of Austria” to the ORF director Kurt Pongratz and the “Commander’s”. Coin” to the lifesavers Sergeant Christopher Jelenska and to Sergeant Manuel Cermak with his group from Vienna.

A four-hour live broadcast by ORF from Heldenplatz informed the television audience in front of their TV sets.

A trumpet piece from the Guards Music brought the artistic finale to this year’s information and performance show of the Federal Army in Vienna at 5:00 p.m.

You can find free photos at National Day 2023 | Flickr.