German troops begin 3-day exercise to rehearse NATO movements eastward

Germany’s armed forces on Thursday began a three-day exercise in Hamburg, home to one of Europe’s busiest ports, to rehearse moving NATO troops and military equipment farther east through the harbor.

The German armed forces said on its website that the fictional scenario assumes political tensions along the borders of the Baltic states, with NATO forces arriving in Hamburg to be received and then redeployed eastward via roads and motorways.

About 500 soldiers and more than 1,000 civilian participants from around 60 organizations, including firefighters and private companies, are taking part in Red Storm Charlie, which runs through Saturday.

Around 70 wheeled military vehicles, some armored, are moving through Hamburg, many at night, as they would in a real emergency, the Bundeswehr said.

Hamburg city officials said the army planned to use two NH90 helicopters and one Super Puma, with flights on Thursday continuing until around midnight. They warned of noise and brief traffic delays but said daily life and port operations should remain largely unaffected.

During the exercise, the military, police and other authorities will respond to scenarios including a drone attack on a military convoy and widespread power outages.

Friday’s scenario includes a chemical accident and sabotage of a train carrying military goods, public broadcaster NDR reported.

Saturday will focus on treating large numbers of wounded and setting up an alternative treatment site, including in protected underground rooms.