Germany has been one of the United States’ partner nations with the Patriot missile system since 1986.
The German Patriot Office celebrated its 40th anniversary with a luncheon March 18 at Huntsville Botanical Garden. About 80 people gathered in the Carriage House for remarks, music and dining.
“I am confident that the German Patriot Office will continue to serve a decisive role for many years to come,” Lt. Gen. Lutz Kohlhaus, vice chief of the German Air Force, said.
Lt. Col. Siegfried Domabyl has served as director of the German Patriot Office for six years and said he will have to leave after a total of six and a half.
“We are delighted to have you with us today as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the German Patriot Office,” Domabyl told the crowd.
Lt. Col. Juergen Roeder, a liaison officer at the German Patriot Office, shared his thoughts on the observance.
“It’s remembering a long history of the German Patriot Office,” Roeder said. “It’s a story of more than 40 years of successful cooperation with the U.S. government and all the companies who are producing the system – Raytheon Company, Lockheed Martin and MBDA Germany.”