When foreign fighter jets invade German airspace, a meticulous interception strategy takes effect. Then pilots run to their planes, just minutes after the alarm they have to be in the air to intercept other planes. In an emergency, they would shoot down enemies before they attacked German cities.

It is essential that the process behind this security mechanism works smoothly. Even more so since the start of the Ukrainian war. Service in these units, known as alert squads, has since become one of the most sensitive jobs in the entire country. Anyone who serves here, at one of the three bases in Wittmund, North Friesland or in Neuburg an der Donau in Bavaria, bears great responsibility.