Captain Matthias Braband succeeds Sven Janssen at Naval Technical School Parow

The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) Naval Technical School Parow (Marinetechnikschule, MTS) has a new head after this week's change of command. Captain (Kapitän zur See, KptzS) Sven Janssen led it for just over two and a half years and now hands over to Captain Matthias Braband. The change is conducted by Rear Admiral Christoph Müller-Meinhard, Commander Support and Head of the Operational Support Department at the Navy Command in Rostock.

As commander, Janssen made public appearances. He held numerous swearing-in ceremonies on the Alter Markt in Stralsund to underline the close ties between the military and the population. His assessment: “I look back on the last two and a half years with great satisfaction.” And further: “Even in turbulent times, the MTS has always fulfilled its mission,” said Janssen, “has continuously developed and has made contributions to the region. This fills me with pride in what has been achieved and gratitude towards my personnel.”

Janssen now moves to Rheinbach in North Rhine-Westphalia as Commander of the Cyber Operations Centre (Zentrum Cyber Operation, ZCO); he is preparing for this assignment. Braband was most recently head of section at the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and moves from there to the school.

The new commander of the Naval Technical School Parow

Braband says: “I look at the task ahead of me with joy and humility.” And: “Being given responsibility for the German Navy's largest training facility,” said the successor, “I regard as an honour, an advance of trust and an obligation.” On his background: “As a native of Bremerhaven and a trained marine engineering officer, I am familiar with both the coast and the MTS. In addition, the people of the region,” he adds, “with their open, friendly and inspiring manner, make it easy to settle in here.”

With regard to the situation, Braband emphasised: “The foreign and security policy situation requires us to continue to keep the total defence of our country in view.” At the same time: “The various consequences that arise from this for the Stralsund site and the MTS,” said the new commander, “must be shaped together. In future, too, we need a high-performing and adaptable MTS that is firmly anchored in the region,” says Braband, “and accepted in politics, business and society.”