Minister of Defense honors former Director-General of BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr with a serenade

In an official ceremony at Namedy Castle in Andernach on 31 August 2023, Boris Pistorius saw off the former Director-General of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr), Gabriele Korb. She had already been officially retired in mid-April.

A solemn ceremony in a historic setting

Before the ceremony, the Minister of Defense and the former Director-General of BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr shared a private conversation in the rococo drawing room of the moated castle-turned-palace that dates back to the 14^th century. About 150 invited guests attended the following reception in the castle garden, including the Mayor of Koblenz, David Langner, the State Secretaries Benedikt Zimmer and Nils Hilmer, the Chief of Defense, Carsten Breuer, and family members and friends of Gabriele Korb.

Honoring three decades of service

In mild and sunny weather, Boris Pistorius greeted the guests against the impressive backdrop of Namedy Castle. During his speech, he looked back at Gabriele Korb’s 30 years of service that, according to the Minister, were marked by her commitment to the troops and to the Federal Ministry of Defense and its area of responsibility. “Three decades, which we will honor today,” he underlined.

30 years of seeing the bigger picture

Gabriele Korb started her career in 1993 as assistant chief of branch at the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWBBundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung). An assignment as assistant chief of branch in the Ministry of Defense followed. Working as an assistant at the office of then chancellor Helmut Kohl allowed Korb to broaden her horizon considerably. According to Boris Pistorius, it was with courage and curiosity that she kept looking for the bigger picture.

After several other assignments at the BWBBundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung, for example as head of the executive staff, she joined the Federal Office of the Bundeswehr for Military Aviation as the executive secretary and deputy director-general. “All these positions strengthened her ability to see the big picture,” the Minister of Defense highlighted.

The first woman at the helm of BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr

Finally, in Mai 2018, Gabriele Korb was appointed as Director-General of BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr. She thus became the first woman to spearhead Germany's largest technical higher federal authority. Creating the Industrial Psychology Staff and managing the office during the COVID pandemic are among her special achievements during that time. Boris Pistorius underlined that with her vast experience, her keen ability to read people, her determination and good judgment, she helped steering the Office through turbulent times.

After five years in office she was retired on 15 April 2023. Since then, Annette Lehnigk-Emden has been the new Director-General of BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr.

The Minister of Defense emphasized that procurement is a complex business with many actors in which BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr always plays an essential role. “I keep saying: we used to have a lot of time and little money. Now we have a lot of money and little time. There is a rethink in progress at the moment,” said Boris Pistorius. “I am delighted with the Office’s excellent work.”

Great team spirit at BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr

Gabriele Korb claimed that the last 30 years had flown by. “Each assignment was a defining experience. Especially because of the people I met and who sometimes even became friends for life.”

She affirmed that she had gladly accepted the challenge of becoming the Director-General of BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr five years ago. She admitted, however, that with regard to the criticism leveled at BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr she had hoped for more support from outside the Office to be able to show the public a more nuanced picture in the media.

“A Director-General is always part of a team. A team that helps implementing projects.” She stated that about 1,500 projects were realized under her leadership. “I always experienced BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr as a team,” Korb underlined and gave her thanks to the staff representatives, the deputy director-generals and the heads of staff. She especially thanked her personal team including her office workers, her personal assistants and her driver as well as her family for their invaluable support during the past years. At the end of her speech she concluded: “Dear guests, I’m signing off.”

„Live is life“

In the evening hours, the official ceremony culminated in the serenade. The Koblenz-based Army Band performed under the direction of Captain Wolfgang Dietrich while the torch bearers of the FMoD Guard Battalion were lining up, illuminating the darkness in the castle square.

Listening to the soft, then crescendoing tunes of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at the historic location of Namedy castle certainly was a moving experience for all those present. It was followed by Jean Brouquières’ classic “Marche des soldats de Robert Bruce” and “Live is life”, an 80s hit by the Austrian band Opus. As is the tradition, the German national anthem formed the last part of the moving serenade.

by Sarah Stein