A UN treaty has been banning nuclear weapons for five years. Germany did not join. Because of the Ukraine war, a majority wants to keep US nuclear bombs in the country. According to the Bundeswehr, one is prepared for emergencies.
To be certified for use with US nuclear bombs: F-35 fighter jet
It would be its pilots who would drop atomic bombs in an emergency. Thomas Schneider is a colonel in the Luftwaffe and, as commodore, leads the Bundeswehr's Tactical Air Force Squadron 33. Wearing an olive green flight suit, the 56-year-old invites you to his office in Büchel, a town in the Eifel mountains in the far west of Germany. Aircraft models adorn the room, and you can see them particularly often: the Tornado.
“I've been flying the Tornado for 25 years now,” says Schneider. “It's a beautiful plane, a wonderful plane.” But the tornado is too old – even for so-called nuclear sharing, in which German fighter jets carry American atomic bombs. “It breaks my heart a little,” Schneider said. “But now we're getting a fifth generation aircraft. The F-35 is one of the best aircraft that we have on the NATO side at the moment. So we're very proud and looking forward to getting this aircraft over here.” ;
Nuclear deterrence from Germany
Germany is arming itself with billions of euros. Also to continue to be part of NATO's nuclear deterrent. Since the Russian attack on Ukraine, the goal of a Germany free of nuclear weapons – enshrined in the coalition agreement of the governing parties – has receded into the distant future. Since then, according to a survey, a majority of Germans are in favor of leaving the American B61 bombs in Büchel.
Nuclear deterrence is his mission: Commodore Thomas Schneider
However, the war in Ukraine did not change anything about his squadron's mission, says Schneider. “We know what we have to do. We are tasked with nuclear deterrence within the framework of NATO. We have trained for over 40 years. We are ready.” However, he hopes that the weapons will never be used.
Schneider's squadron is stationed at Büchel Air Force Base. The air base is currently being rebuilt. The runway will be renewed. And new hangars are needed for the F-35 – the plane with which German pilots are to be ready to drop the American atomic bombs in the future.
Guards and double fences secure the Büchel air base
“Threat level: Bravo” is written at the entrance gate on a metal sign whose rusting suggests that it was already used in the Cold War , whether trouble threatens or not. After Bravo, things get hot with Charlie and Delta – Alpha is calm.
Protest with paper flowers
The second lowest level of danger is likely to be a reaction to a group of anti-nuclear weapons opponents who have set up their pavilion on a traffic island in front of the air base. But the twelve peace activists under the red sun roof do not pose any recognizable danger. They fold flowers and cranes out of colored paper – a symbol of the anti-nuclear war movement. Protesters have climbed the fences in the past. Feldjäger and police officers are on duty all around.
“We are only a few,” says Johannes Oehler. He is on the board of ICAN Germany, the International Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. “It's one of the reasons why I started getting involved. I felt like there was a very small number of people interested in this issue, despite how important it is and how threatening it is.”
“We must prevent the use of nuclear weapons”
The 32-year-old Oehler sees the treaty banning nuclear weapons, which 122 countries passed five years ago on July 7, 2017, as a success of the peace movement – all non-nuclear powers. 66 states have now ratified it. Oehler is committed to ensuring that Germany also signs the treaty.
Wants all nuclear weapons Abolish: Johannes Oehler in front of the air base Büchel
“As long as there are nuclear weapons, they will eventually be used,” says Oehler. “And that's exactly why the nuclear weapons ban treaty makes the abandonment of these weapons a condition. We must prevent these weapons from ever being used again. And that's the only possible way.”
Oehler is drowned out by a loud roar. Two tornadoes come from the south, fly in a wide arc over the base and disappear behind towers of white cloud.
Not afraid of nuclear war?
The town of Büchel is only a few flight seconds away from the air base. At “Happy Döner” in the town center, the line of people waiting at midday stretches all the way to the sidewalk. Men in sweatpants and a woman in camouflage are waiting for falafel, lahmacun or fries. Most belong to the Air Force Security Squadron, which is tasked with protecting the nearby base from attackers. It's not just the fast food that makes a living from the soldiers at the air base.
20 US type B-61 nuclear bombs are said to be stored here: the Büchel air base from the air
< p>“That means work for the people here, we're all happy about it,” says Werner Gevenich. The 65-year-old is also waiting, he wants kebabs and pizza. “And the thing with the atom doesn't bother us, we've been living with it for many years.” Gevenich, formerly at the post office, now retired, reaches for the plastic bags with lunch for him and his wife. Doesn't he worry that Büchel could become the first target of an attack in the event of war? “If nuclear war comes, then it's our turn,” he says. “Then it doesn't matter whether we're sitting right next to it or further away.”
The last soldiers have meanwhile left the snack bar. They said they didn't care about the anti-nuclear activists. As long as the entrance to the air base is not blocked, they should demonstrate.
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