AG (Aufklärungsgeschwader) 51 "Immelmann" based  at Jagel in Northern Germany.

Unit badge of AG51 “Immelman”.

AFB Jagel is the most northern base of the Luftwaffe. AG 51 is the only German Luftwaffe Sqdn with a manned tactical reconnaissance capability. Equipped with 46 aircraft, modern tactical reconnaissance optics by Carl Zeiss, and a mobile recce process laboratory the Sqdn is a very important element of the German Bundeswehr (Defence Force). As of 01 January 2005 the Sqdn has an additional role in the form of anti-ship operations.

 
The roles of the Sqdn in peace time:

• Ensure mission readiness of both personnel and equipment.
• Participate in deployments as part of a combined force of the Bundeswehr.
• Participate in deployments as required by the United Nations.
• Assistance with disaster control.
• Demonstration of the military force and its capability.
• Flights in support of legal assistance as required by the authorities of the Federation and other countries.

 In crises:

• Order the same as in peace time.
• Increase the mission readiness of personnel and equipment.
• Increase tactical training and serviceability.
• Readiness of any application in the context to overcome the crises.

 In war:

• Same as in peace time and in crises:
• Support of aerial warfare through aerial recce of the opposing land and naval forces, manufacturing plants in support of the enemy, anti-aircraft installations and supply installations in support of the enemy.

 AG 51 is traditionally known as the “Immelman” Squadron – a name which dates back to the First World War. Max von Immelman achieved 15 air victories in the Great War before his death in 1916 from circumstances which is unclear to this day. Even today his name is used for what is considered one of the basic ACM manoeuvres, the “Immelman turn”.

 Following a meeting on 1 July 1992 by representatives of the Luftwaffe and Marine on the future of an Air Force Sqdn to be based near Jagel, an integration agreement evolved which is very unique within the German Federal Armed Forces. On 1 April 1993 the old recce Sqdn 51 from Bremgarten was effectively disbanded. However a new 51 Sqdn still named “Immelman” was activated at Jagel on 1 January 1994. The new 51 contained the old 51 Sqdn, the naval Sqdn based at Kropp with other recce and strike elements of the Luftwaffe to form a new Sqdn with both a recce and an anti-shipping role.       

In December 1994 the Sqdn deployed to Bosnia to assist with photo recce for the NATO forces, although the Sqdn was not a NATO asset at the time as the Sqdn was still relatively young and occupied with integration of the various elements. Shortly thereafter the Sqdn made six aircraft and relevant support equipment and personnel available to NATO on a permanent basis.  

In January 1995 the Sqdn was involved with the crises management of the century high flooding experienced in the Rhine and Elbe river areas. It was also the first time the Luftwaffe aerial recce capability was used for the Federal Government. Up to eight aircraft was in daily use over the crises area and in total around 6 kms of film was used but the lessons learned in crises prevention was priceless and serve the Federal Government to this day.

On 21 July 1995, NATO via the Federal Government issued an instruction for deployment of six Tornados with ground personnel and support equipment to support the reconnaissance element of NATO in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The aircraft operated out of the Italian AFBs in San Damiano and Piacenza. The first operations were flown on 22 August 1995 by two Tornados from AG 51. Photos obtained prove the Carl Zeiss optics to be world class and exceeded all expectations. However after the Bosnian Serbs used artillery against the UN protected zones of Srebrenica, Zepa and Sarajewo,  NATO with "operation Deliberate Force" began to intervene actively in the conflict. From 1 September 1995 reconnaissance aircraft were used to assess the situation. For the first time 51 Sqdn took part in a conflict outside Federal Germany which lasted until the end of the air campaign on 14 September 1995. The Sqdn was extensively used to asses the subsequent peace process and would serve out of Italy until 2001 when 51 Sqdn finally returned to Jagel.  

During 1999 the sqdn took part in the 50th Anniversary of the Berlin airlift as many transport aircraft took off from Jagel for the supply run to Berlin. The highlight was the unveiling of a special commemorative monument by the Sqdn commander of AG 51. During 1999 the Sqdn took delivery of the new recce pod made by Daimler Benz Aerospace with optics by Carl Zeiss. The Germans are known for their precision and this eased the integration of the new recce pod system to ensure the Luftwaffe’s ability to contribute in the recce role towards future peace and protection missions.  

So far the Sqdn has logged 70 000 flying hours with around 50 million kilometres flown in various operations both in training and support of peace initiatives. For anti-ship operations the Sqdn use the HARM and Kormoran missiles. Kormoran II is due to enter service with the Sqdn in the near future.

The Sqdn’s coat of arms is the Black Panther which is carried on both sides of the fin and symbolise a fast and excellent hunter. Panther symbol was taken from 52 Sqdn also a recce Sqdn at the time. At dock “Uwe” of the Hassel barracks in Kropp a bronze Panther serve as the “guard”. The new 51 Sqdn therefore decided on the Panther as their coat of arms.

This coat of arms also makes the “Immelman” Sqdn a member of the Tiger Association and the Sqdn participated at every Tiger Meet ever since the new Sqdn was formed.  Surprisingly two colour schemes are used on the Tornado aircraft, the older green colour scheme NORM 83B Marine for training missions and operations close to Jagel and a grey scheme known as NORM 95 for all operational aircraft.