Garmisch supports visit by German chancellor

By John Reese, USAG Garmisch Public AffairsFebruary 9, 2011

Hundreds of hotel guests and community members line up at an autograph session with US Ski Team in the lobby of the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort.  The Americans were surprised when German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a brief visit to the crown jewel o...
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Hundreds of hotel guests and community members line up at an autograph session with US Ski Team in the lobby of the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. The Americans were surprised when German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a brief visit to the crown jewel o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – German Chancellor Angela Merkel is escorted to a suite at the Armed Forces Recreation Centers' Edelweiss Lodge and Resort by manager Marc Jannsen. The suite was used for a couple of hours to give the chancellor an opportunity to continue her duties a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chancellor Angela Merkel is met at the entrance of the Armed Forces Recreation Centers' Edelweiss Lodge and Resort by manager Marc Jannsen. The German leader briefly occupied a suite Feb. 7 after landing on the USAG Garmisch helipad on Sheridan Kaser... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Deputy Garrison Manager Thomas Hays, HHC USAG Garmisch 1st Sgt. William McKee, and garrison Host Nation Liaison Andrea Winter approach 'Polizei One' to welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel. The chancellor requested the use of the garrison's helipad on Sh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a brief visit to Sheridan Kaserne Feb. 7 en route to the Olympic Ski Stadium here for the opening ceremonies of the International Ski Federation's 2011 World Ski Championships.

The German leader landed in a gleaming blue Police Super Puma and was met at the garrison helipad by the U.S. Army Garrison Garmisch Deputy Garrison Manager Thomas Hays, HHC Garmisch 1st Sgt. William McKee, and host nation liaison Andrea Winter.

"The sequence at the helicopter landing zone during the arrival and departure was very professional and relaxed, without anything hectic," said Fire Chief Wolfgang Pauls-Polch, who coordinated and supervised the helipad operations with the Garmisch Fire Department and the Bavarian Red Cross. "The pilots informed me that they'd never before received any support like here."

The chancellor's advance party was waiting for her and whisked her off to the Armed Forces Recreation Centers' hotel on post, where she briefly used a suite at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort to continue her duties as head of state, meet with aides, and prepare for the outdoor event where she addressed the packed Olympic Stadium. The event was televised and the impressive fireworks display could be seen from the garrison headquarters building.

After safely delivering Merkel, the pilots relocated their helicopter to the adjacent parking area to free-up the helipad, and Pauls-Polch escorted the crew to dinner. Meanwhile, the chancellor made a more public entrance to the hotel than originally planned. The lobby was busier than usual, packed with hotel guests and community members queued-up for an autograph signing session with the U.S. ski team. Once recognized, Merkel received a welcoming round of applause from the hundreds of Americans present.

Members of the ski team, treated like rock stars moments earlier, waited outside with their own cameras to take a photo of Merkel when she departed for the ceremonies. The team also then hurried off to the stadium to represent the United States.

While Merkel was participating in the festivities across town and her helicopter crew dined, the garrison directorates conducted an abbreviated Emergency Operations Center drill to incorporate new National Incident Management System procedures. The drill lasted until shortly after the chancellor's helicopter and ground units departed post.

"Chancellor Merkel's brief visit to USAG Garmisch and the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort went very smoothly last night," said Hays afterward. "I want to extend my personal thanks and appreciation to all who participated in any way to this event. I believe it shows how well each and every one of you has prepared yourselves to do your jobs with coolness, skill, and professionalism.

"Yes, that is what is expected of us, but you all did it so well."

USAG Garmisch receives emergency services year-round from the local host nation providers, and the garrison is reciprocating by supporting Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the massive influx of guests. In any emergency incident, the garrison would do the utmost by both treaty and mutual respect to cooperate with any official requests. In addition to the chancellor's use of the helipad, garrison facilities are committed to assisting local emergency services on an as-needed basis during the championships.

The motorcycle safety range on Artillery Kaserne, normally unused during winter months, is closed off to be used as a medical evacuation staging area for helicopters; two years ago an ADAC helicopter with a doctor aboard made a spontaneous medical emergency landing in response to a call. The indoor basketball court at Mueller Fitness Center on Sheridan Kaserne is covered and stands supplied and ready to be used as a triage area, and the Alpental Golf Course parking lot is being used as a staging area for the Polizei.

The FIS 2011 World Ski Championships continues until Feb. 20.

Related Links:

Angela Merkel Biography

International Ski Federation World Ski Championships

U.S. Army Garrison Garmisch