CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 03/2023

ON LAND, AT SEA AND IN THE AIR
THE SPECIALISTS OF THE AUSTRIAN ARMED FORCES
Challenging tasks require unique capabilities, and the Austrian Armed Forces are
specialised in just that: on land, at sea and in the air. Whether as Eurofighter
pilots, combat divers or cyber security analysts, all soldiers are masters of their
craft, exemplifying the high professionalism of the Austrian Armed Forces. Our
specialists, both in military and civilian functions, are esteemed partners not only
within Austria but also on the international stage.
Specialists on land
On land, the specialists of the Austrian Armed Forces carry out the most extensive
range of tasks. The soldiers of the NBC defence troops, for example, detect NBC
(nuclear, biological and chemical) munitions and decontaminate individuals and
equipment. They also rescue and recover people, as most recently demonstrated
after the earthquake in Turkey, and prepare drinking water for the population during
national and international disaster relief efforts.
Within the infantry, there are specialists trained for high-mountain and air-mobile
operations. Regardless of the terrain or extreme weather conditions, they fulfil
their missions as true professionals. The Austrian military mountain guides and
military mountaineers are internationally sought-after as trainers and instructors
and recognised as some of the finest in their fields worldwide.
The mechanised forces rely on special knowledge and skills as well. A tank commander
from the 14 Tank Battalion in Wels explains, “In my job I have to be really
good at multitasking. I need to know what’s happening to the left, right, front
and rear of us as well as what each soldier in my crew is currently doing. I give
them instructions and I am responsible for ensuring that the tank goes where it’s
supposed to go and fires where it should. I also ensure that all procedures within
the tank run smoothly and that we can interact effectively with other units.” The
best part of my job? “Our Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks are receiving an upgrade.
It’s incredibly exciting to work with new equipment that is internationally
competitive.”
Operations in, under and on the water
Our soldiers can master challenging situations both in, under and on the water,
as every action has to be executed perfectly. These specialists provide support
to other units in tasks such as river and lake crossings, bridge construction and
checking waterways for obstacles, and removing them in case there are any.
Among them, the expertise of engineer divers is particularly sought after. While
other engineers perform their tasks on land, engineer divers carry out their work
in the water and underwater. They drill, weld and cut even below the water surface.
Expertly handling explosives and ammunition is also part of their activities.
They serve as both scouts and engineers: Underwater, they check out obstacles,
remove them by using heavy equipment or construct platforms to continue their
work above water. The engineers of the Austrian Armed Forces are dislocated in
three battalions, the 1 Engineer Battalion in Villach, the 2 Engineer Battalion in
Salzburg, and the 3 Engineer Battalion in Melk.
David is an expert in various specialties, under and on the water. He is not only a
squad leader in the engineer branch, but also a boat operator, watercraft instructor
and engineer diver. “I always enjoyed watching action movies,” he says, “and
here in the Austrian Armed Forces I get to experience it all in real life.”
Operations in the air and on the ground
The soldiers of the Air Force are on duty every day, both in the air and on the
ground. Whether as helicopter pilots, aircraft technicians, loadmasters or air traffic
controllers, they work around the clock together with civilian specialists to
protect the Austrian airspace and support ground forces through transport and
reconnaissance flights.
Eurofighter pilot: Top Gun vibes
Patrick is a Eurofighter pilot who safeguards the Austrian airspace with his
fighter jet. When radio communication with an aircraft is lost or an unidentified
object approaches, he takes to the skies in his Eurofighter to take care of the
matter. Within minutes, he is airborne and approaches the target at speeds of up
to 2,500 km/h. To ensure he has complete mastery of his aircraft and can handle
the forces taking effect during the immense acceleration, Patrick underwent an
extremely demanding and multi-year training programme. He must also maintain
peak physical fitness at all times.
in helicopters absolutely fascinating,” says Florian. He adds, “Being a pilot means
constantly being on the go, flying exhilarating missions, and, above all, avoiding
a 9-to-5 job in an office.”
To ensure that Patrick, Florian and Laurenz can swiftly take to the skies in case
of emergencies, they rely on the support of numerous other specialists from the
Air Force. Meteorologists provide them with weather information, while aircraft
technicians ensure the aircraft are operational at all times. Saskia, for example,
works directly on the Eurofighter, conducting regular checks and maintenance.
“The job is something special for me every day,” she enthuses. “The Eurofighter
is awesome. The technology fascinates me — the fact that such a heavy machine
can fly so fast is just amazing.”
The variety of services provided on land, in the air and the water translates into
a multitude of job opportunities and a wide range of career options, such as
analysts or civil engineers.
PHOTOS: SEBASTIAN FREILER
The same applies to trainee helicopter pilots in the Armed Forces. Florian and
Laurenz, for instance, are currently on the verge of completing their four-year
training to become fully operational helicopter pilots. The story of Laurenz is particularly
noteworthy, as the 24-year-old initially chose to do alternative service
instead of military service and intended to study aerospace engineering. “But
piloting yourself is far more thrilling,” he explains, and thus his path ultimately
led him to the Austrian Armed Forces. Florian, too, adjusted his career trajectory:
While he initially aspired to become a Eurofighter pilot like Patrick, he ultimately
made the decision to pursue a career in flying helicopters. “I find the teamwork
For more information on career opportunities in the Austrian Armed Forces, visit
karriere.bundesheer.at
50 Cercle Diplomatique 3/2023
ADVERT PAID FOR BY THE AUSTRIAN ARMED FORCES
Cercle Diplomatique 3/2023
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