List of content List of content 4 15 years of the Corps 5 Over the years 6 15 years of the Corps - selected events 10 Looking forward to Family Care Centre 11 Life after duty 12 Taekwondo 14 Down the slope 16 Combat Szczecin Academy 18 Have you ever heard about scuba ice diving 20 These boots are made for walking 22 Tough in the mud 24 Catching a track 26 Out of the fence Corps’ activities 26 An overview of the interactions with the civilian world Three questions to the three generals 28 regarding the future of MNC NE 31 Towards the new Telephone Communication Team 33 – a hidden voice of the Headquarters

TheThe BalticBaltic AmberAmber ImpressumImpressum The Baltic Amber is the authorized magazine of the HQ MNC NE, which shall be a fruitful source of information on the Corps-related issues for members PUBLICATION MANAGEMENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Our team: of the Headquarters, assigned formations as well Public Affairs Office LTC Wojciech Wiśniewski, POL A MAJ Zbigniew Garbacz, POL A as international visitors and individuals. Headquarters LTC Eric Gusenburger, DEU A Multinational Corps Northeast JOURNALIST Karol Sito, POL CIV The name Baltic Amber is derived from the natural Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV resin amber that can be found on the beaches of the ul. W. Łukasińskiego 33 LTC Wojciech Wiśniewski, POL A Baltic Sea. It is well known in Poland, the host country 71-215 Szczecin, Poland GRAPHIC DESIGN of the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast. e-mail: [email protected] Karol Sito, POL CIV Special thanks to: website: www.mncne.pl MNC NE Linguistic Services Opinions expressed in the Baltic Amber are those of tel. +48 (91) 4445 120 PRINTING MNC NE Reproduction Section the writers and do not necessarily reflect official HQ fax. +48 (91) 4445 127 Mediadruk, Gryfino MNC NE or NATO policy. A printing house is in no way connected to or endorsed by the HQ MNC NE or NATO.

3 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE 15 yearsof the Corps For as many as fifteen years, the member countries of the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) under the leadership of the Framework Nations have been working together on a range of military issues.

While delivering the inauguration speech in 1999, the then timed, as also today, Poland along with the allies President of the Republic of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski have to meet the real challenge of securing their referred to the three founding countries: Denmark, Germany territories. Since its establishment, the Corps and Poland as the ones, which made a new course in history has consequently aimed at achieving the highest possible: ”We are inaugurating the work of the Multinational skills possible. After passing the Full Operational Corps Northeast on the new structure and in the new Capability test during the exercise Compact headquarters. It has a huge meaning for both Poland and Eagle 2005, the Corps has also expanded NATO. There is a practical meaning, because the north- in many more areas such as strengthening eastern flank of the Alliance will be strengthened. It also has both the structure and the infrastructure of a symbolic meaning because it is proof for covering historical the Baltic Barracks, developing military skills divisions. Poland, Germany and Denmark are allies today. and fostering regional and civil cooperation. They treat their own security as a part of the security of the Since the inauguration date, the multinational whole continent”. German Minister of Defense at that time, character of the Corps has constituted the Rudolf Scharping pointed at the historical location of the new bedrock for all activities both on a daily basis NATO Corps: “It is highly symbolic that we are establishing and on missions. However, the real value of the the Multinational Corps Northeast here in Szczecin, a former Corps comes from its people. Some of them stronghold of the brave Solidarity movement freedom have worked here from the very beginning fighters and as such one of the birthplaces of the new and have known the Corps inside out. For an Europe”. Then, the role of Szczecin in the Baltic Sea Region in-depth overview of the 15 years of the Corps, was strongly emphasised in the speech of the then Danish we have made a calendar of the most important Minister of Defense, Hans Haekkerup: “Szczecin has also events as well as interviewed our soldiers with historically been a Baltic city, focused on trade with the other the longest duty period in the Headquarters. cities on the Baltic Coast and in the German and Polish heartlands. As Szczecin’s trade helped the people of the Article by Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV Baltic know and interact with each other, so we today want Photo by MNC NE Reproduction Section to tie countries together, not create new lines of division”. On the same day, the then Polish Minister of Defence, Janusz Onyszkiewicz outlined the role of Poland within the security structure: “Poland never wanted to be only the “consumer” of the European security. Our ambition has always been an active participation in its creation”. On the 18th of September 2014, Onyszkiewicz visited the Corps again, this time as a special guest during the 15th anniversary of the Corps’ establishment. His words from 1999 were surprisingly well- Over the years It is most common for many soldiers to move from one place to another. Only very few put down roots and stay at a place. Since the establishment of the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast in 1999, soldiers from as many as fourteen nations have worked in its premises. The truly committed ones have marked their presence here and some have served in the Baltic Barracks for many years. Their perspective on the Corps’ development and the changes that it has undergone through the years are certainly a source of verified information.

Although NATO’s procedures had been a novelty to the were lots of team building events. Every Polish Armed Forces by 1999, the adaptation to new nation wanted to show their best side. requirements and guidelines did not take long in the These after- hour- meetings shaped the Headquarters as the Polish and international personnel way we treated each other at work. We commenced their cooperation based on the exchange of really wanted to enjoy and use the best mutual experiences. For some, though, especially those features of a multinational formation”, who came here from regular combat formations, serving in says Sergeant Maksymilian Halec, who the Baltic Barracks brought some changes: “We had always has worked in the Reproduction section been told that the only way we could see a general was if we since 2000. Warrant Officer Chmiel had a place at the tribune. Here, it was a common situation. adds: “These days, the personnel Moreover, working with other nations was a completely and their families socialize with others new thing for me. I always say that serving here was, is during events such as Cocktail Party and will be an honour to me”, says Sergeant Szymon or Christmas Lunch”. It turns out that Górniak, who has been working in the Polish National many ex Corps’ soldiers enjoy coming Support Element of the Corps for fifteen years and is the back to Szczecin if not for the sake of Element’s only personnel member whose tour of duty has their sentimental attachment to the Baltic never ended. This has to do with the unique factor that has Barracks, then for leisure time attractions not changed over all those years and has made Sergeant and activities: “I have organized Górniak happy with his working place: “People who serve canoe trips in the past ten years. Until here deliver a really good quality of work. They come from today, my Danish colleagues keep various international formations and bring high standards”. returning to the Drawa river because they enjoyed our common excursions Warrant Officer Grzegorz Chmiel has been working in the back then”, explains Sergeant Halec. Baltic Barracks from the very beginning. As an IT specialist, he provides equipment and services to users in the In its first years, the Corps focused Headquarters. The Corps has given him an opportunity to mainly on passing the Full Operational work according to the NATO’s requirements for the first time Capability (FOC) test. A significant in his career. As one of very few now, he can reflect upon amount of effort was also put to promote the way residents of Szczecin perceived the establishment the Corps within NATO and other military of the NATO’s formation in their city in 1999: “Our Corps was structures, as the MNC NE newly the first multinational headquarters of this kind in Poland. established in Poland, a former Warsaw I remember that some people were concerned that Szczecin Pact member, was a phenomenon. might become more vulnerable. The Corps has always been When in 2006 FOC certification became working on its good reputation through integration with the a fact, the Corps was gradually given local community while taking part in promotional and charity new tasks and its significance kept events as well as cooperating with local authorities at every growing. Sergeant Halec sums up: opportunity”. 15 years ago, a sight of a uniformed foreigner “Years ago, we had to work on building in the street was highly uncommon and even considered our presence and reputation in Szczecin, Article by Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV controversial at some point. As more Germans, Danes and Poland and abroad. Today, we have Photo by MNC NE Reproduction Section other foreigners came to Szczecin, they became a part of very solid ground and our main effort the community. It took a while until residents got used to new is focused on hard work as our future neighbours and customers on their territory. At the same seems really busy for the Corps”. time, the integration within the Corps’ family went incredibly well: “The Corps’ personnel often met for social reasons and there was no need to persuade anyone to attend. There Article by Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV Graphics by Karol Sito, POL CIV

5 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE 15 years of PhotosMNC by MNC NE Reproduction Section &NE Karol Sito, POL CIV Selected by LTC Wojciech Wiśniewski, POL A

5 SEPTEMBER01 1998 signing Convention of the Multinational Corps Northeast 18 SEPTEMBER02 1999 Based on a report of a working group tasked to analyse all particularities related to the establishment – the Multinational Corps Northeast of a tri-national corps headquarters, the Ministers Inauguration Ceremony of Defence of Denmark, Germany and Poland sign the Corps Convention, which forms the legal basis On a rainy day of September 1999, the President for the establishment of MNC NE in Szczecin of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Kwaśniewski hands over the colours of the Multinational Corps Northeast to the first Commander, the Danish Lieutenant General, Henrik Ekmann

04 NOVEMBER03 2000 MARCH 2002 – the Multinational Corps Northeast becomes – the Corps is ready for non-Article 5 ready for Article 5 Operations Crisis Response Operations

In the presence of the President of the Republic of Exercise Strong Resolve 2002, with over 40,000 Poland and the Danish, German and Polish Ministers participants from 25 countries comes to an end as the of Defence, following exercise Crystal Eagle 2000, Szczecin-based Corps Headquarters proves its operational the Multinational Corps Northeast is declared readiness for non-Article 5 crisis response operations operationally ready for NATO Article 5 operations - selected events

02 05 SEPTEMBER 2002 06 NOVEMBER 2003 - Multinational Corps Northeast opens the – Multinational Corps Northeast achieves Partnership for Peace liaison office Interim Operational Capability

The first step on a way to enhance the multinational character of Late 2003, marks an end of a long process the Corps is taken when representatives from Estonia, Latvia and of meeting over 800 military criteria required Lithuania start working in the PfP liaison office at Baltic Barracks to pass interim operational capability test

08 NOVEMBER 2005 – the Multinational Corps Northeast 07 APRIL 2004 is fully operational – the Multinational Corps Northeast widens After a complex and demanding Compact Eagle its multinational character 2005 exercise, the Corps passes full operational capability test, mandatory for its ability to deploy to The term “multinational” in the Corps’ name becomes even missions. Consequently, in February 2006, the Corps more accentuated as the number of the Corps’ member states is certified by the North Atlantic Council doubles following Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania’s membership a part of the NATO deployable force structure

7 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE 15 years of MNC NE

09 FEBRUARY – AUGUST 2007 (2010, 2014) 10 DECEMBER 2007 – the first mission and further deployments – the Corps receives communication and control software

A few months after being certified, personnel from Following further criteria to be complied with by each Multinational Corps Northeast deploy to participate NATO deployable corps, for the first time in the International Security a contract for the command, control and Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan. Following information system Szafran is signed deployments take place in 2010 and 2014

11 SEPTEMBER 2008 12 SEPTEMBER 2012 – the first exercise under – the first exercise with the Host Nation sharing experience” principle For the first time in its history, the The successful deployment to Afghanistan Multinational Corps Northeast staff and experiences gained there, enable the participates in Anakonda 12 exercise Multinational Corps Northeast to share its expertise led by the Operational Command of the with training audience from several military Polish Armed Forces. Among others, formations during Crystal Eagle 2008 exercise the exercise serves the purpose of reviewing Article 5 skills and capabilities - selected events

13 APRIL 2013 14 JUNE 2013 – first exercise “on demand” – the Corps trains outside Framework Nations’ boundaries Following a request from Germany, the Multinational Corps Northeast conducts Crystal Eagle 2013 exercise Personnel from the Multinational Corps to train units assigned by the Corps’ Framework Northeast deploy to Estonia to participate Nations and Participating States. It is the first in Saber Strike 13 exercise; the first time Corps’ exercise based on an Afghan scenario outside the Framework Nations’ borders

15 16 source bmvg.de SEPTEMBER 2014 5 SEPTEMBER 2014 – Sweden joins the Multinational Corps Northeast – The Corps is increasing its readiness level

The Corps’ effective cooperation in the Baltic During the NATO Summit in Newport in Wales, region yields fruitful results and leads to the Ministers of Defence of the Corps’ Framework Sweden’s membership in the Corps. This Nations decide to increase the readiness is the first Baltic non-NATO country level of the Multinational Corps Northeast

9 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE looking forward to FAMILY CARE CENTRE When servicemen of the Multinational Corps Northeast deployed to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan for the third time in the formation’s history, they again relied on the Family Care Centre (FCC) to assist

their families during their absence. best service”. Yet he emphasizes the flexible approach to upcoming tasks: “We wanted to Activated only during deployments, the FCC takes care adjust our services as tasks arise, and we of the soldiers’ families in all domestic matters. Their intended to give a tailor-made assistance to tasks range from an ordinary support in household those who needed us. It is important for us not works to organizing special social events. to act as if we were there just for our own sake”, he states. There were many special events on What are FCC’s tasks, and what does an ordinary day the agenda. “We offered a variety of activities there look like? “Basically, it is a normal office work”, as regular events, for instance Morning Coffee says Anna Solis, who was a member of the FCC’s team and monthly brunches, and a number of special during the deployments of the MNC NE’s personnel in events, for instance a trip to a zoo, the aqua Afghanistan. She enumerates the most common duties: park in Gryfino, horse-riding and others”. “We reply to e-mails in the shortest time possible and, in case somebody has to see a doctor and needs a translator, A close family support does not only focus on we provide assistance. But that’s only the daily routine. personal issues. “Serious accidents and other We organize events for the families, too.” Obviously, she occurrences are reported to the families by the is ready to assist all family members of the deployed. Szczecin – based Senior National Officers”. The head of the FCC, Captain Heiko Muelller, took over the Captain Mueller reveals smilingly that job on the 7th of January 2014. He had previously gathered “children’s happy faces” make him feel experience in the field as a concerned party. “I have been a great satisfaction from his work. deployed to ISAF two times before, and my family could always rely on the FCC”, he says and adds: “I expected Article by Captain Marco Mueller, DEU A this to be a very intensive period in which we provided the Photos by Karol Sito, POL CIV By the time the clock strikes at the end of a soldier’s daily routine some might be calling it a day and then immerse into sweet idleness as the well-earned leisure time after work is something everybody likes to enjoy. Often, however, many kill such leisure time pursuing uncommon and time-consuming activities. For numerous soldiers of the Headquarters AFTER Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) life gains momentum after duty hours and becomes just as tough as during an intensive exercise or on operation. The scope of interest ranges from various levels of physical endurance to fitness skills; consequently, a real soldier usually performs a variety of sports after clocking off. So, regardless of rank, position and workload the soldiers of the Baltic Barracks, Szczecin, follow up their passions with dedication. DUTY For some members of the Baltic Barracks it just so happens that their hobbies have even become a second profession. This in turn has resulted in some types of sport not only being performed by the members of the Corps and their families but also by the residents of Szczecin. Taekwondo and Combat 56, for example, are two of the courses run by individuals passionate about an active lifestyle. The Corps’ community also has a former ski teacher among them taking advantage of even the shortest breaks to enjoy skiing in a snow landscape. There are also people enthusiastic about endurance competitions and extreme sports such as scuba ice diving, endurance marches or the Tough Mudder Race, a runners’ competition where numerous obstacles are to be taken. Finally, one of the Corps’ soldiers and his wife are really into “Geocaching”, an outdoor activity using GPS to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches”.

Article by Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV Graphics by Karol Sito, POL CIV

11 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE TAEKWONDOArticle & photos by Sergeant Major Michael Larsern, DNK A Taekwondo, as we know it today, was developed in Korea after World War II. It is a Korean martial art with roots going back several hundred years. Taekwondo means “the way of striking/breaking with feet or fists”.

In many ways it is similar to karate, which originates from belts before the black belt can be held, and Japan. However, there are differences for instance, in then again ten different levels of the black the high kicking techniques. Taekwondo can be practiced belt, so it takes a lifetime to go through all by everyone regardless sex and age. It develops of them. During a belt promotion, students flexibility, strength, speed, balance and stamina. demonstrate their proficiency in the various aspects of taekwondo before their instructor. Coloured belts are used in taekwondo to reflect the It includes patterns, kicks, blocks, punches, student and instructor’s rank. There are ten coloured breaking of boards, sparring and self-defence. “The best part is seeing the small kids having fun...that’s the best payback you can ever get…”

Adult students have to take a written test as well. Taekwondo competition involves sparring (light or full contact), patterns, self-defence and breaking. I started training taekwondo in Denmark in 1982, when it was a relatively new thing there. I received my first black belt in 1987, and the latest one, Did you know? my 4th dan, in 2010. As a taekwondo instructor, I consider it important to teach others and that is why OO Taekwondo is an Olympic I have started a club here in Szczecin. It is a great discipline with millions of opportunity to teach students from so many countries. students in 190 countries. Baltic Barracks Taekwondo Club was opened in OO Baltic Barracks Taekwondo October 2011. We started with only a handful of Club was founded in people, but soon the club reached 50 members. October 2011 with support Today, we are around 60 members and I think that is the highest number of students available from Allied Sports Club due to the fact that many people leave the and Morale & Welfare. It is Headquarters every year and go back home. free for all Headquarters But we still have students here, who have personnel and their started from scratch and they are now almost half the way to their first black belt. I find it very families. Children aged at interesting to follow their personal development. least 4 and adults up to 60 alike find their way to At the Baltic Barracks Taekwondo Club we conduct seminars and belt promotions two or the gym every Monday. three times a year. A belt promotion is a very special day for all the students. You can see the tension in their faces before and during the event. Afterwards, they all look very happy, but also tired. I know that some of the four or five year old children sleep with their new belts. The others bring the belts proudly to a kindergarten or show their grandparents what they have achieved. Taekwondo is a contact sport, and sometimes there are real, full contact fights. Despite that, we have had just a couple of training injuries. Men over 40, who believe they are 20 again, are most prone to injuries. Sometimes those men seem to have forgotten that their bodies have changed over the recent years. Despite my warnings, they do things they are not able to do any longer. But I know how they feel, because I behave the same way. I have had many injuries in the past 10 years. Most of them have been self-inflicted. When your body is aching after a hard training it reminds you that you are still “alive and kicking”.

13 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE source: brad-jackson.info

Being born in Slovenia has some consequences. It is by no means a matter of dedication to the history, culture or even food. What makes a person a real Slovenian is actually the ability to ski since they were born.

Undoubtedly, it has a lot to do with the location, as Every Slovenian child took up that sport, as Slovenia, apart from its own resources, is surrounded by schools provided lessons and exercises. In the countries abounded with mountain ranges. For many contrast to today’s exorbitant prices, skiing was Slovenians, an impressive choice of resorts is within an affordable sport. Moreover, nobody spent reach, and it takes a little time to visit the venues that a fortune on fashionable clothes, the trend gained popularity among winter madness enthusiasts. that is so common nowadays. The quality of One of them is Major Boris Lojen, who has worked in the equipment has increasingly improved, though. Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC To him, however, skiing was purely and simply NE) since July 2012. For many years he was a ski teacher about devotion to the outdoor sport. Closeness in Slovenia, which had resulted from his passion to sport. to nature was one of the factors that made He regularly took part in the Giant Slalom during the skiing appealing. Nature has still been a major Slovenian Armed Forces Skiing Championships, which culprit that has kept Boris attracted to skiing. he even succeeded to win. Despite having given up this He cannot imagine being stuck in a closed profession some years ago, he has still been a keen skier. space and enjoy a physical activity. When he was young, he even used to play basketball “My previous Headquarters was in Maribor, the second outside, simply because there was no indoor biggest city in Slovenia. I could see the ski resort from my court. Apparently, the true spirit of sport can office window. I took advantage of the opportunity and very go without sophisticated sports facilities that often went skiing after work. Now, I do not go skiing so intended to encourage people to do some certain much, just during my holidays”, says Boris. His adventure activities. And well, Boris refuses to regard sport with skiing kicked off when he was just four years old. As as certain physical activities, which many of us he admitted, it hadn’t been anything offbeat those days. fail to do regularly or at best repeatedly start implementing into a weekly schedule. For those, who cannot persevere source: brad-jackson.info in regular training, here is an inspirational approach to it: “Running or hiking is not a sport for me, but a way of life. I cannot live without it, it is just a regular thing I do”. Becoming a ski teacher was a natural consequence of Boris’s passion. As far back as at the primary and high school, he took part in numerous ski races and trainings. Thereafter, while he was studying, he started working as a ski teacher which was a perfect job for a student during winter time. He chiefly trained children in the course of his teaching career and regards classes with children as most rewarding. As he watched his young charges make progress surprisingly fast, he felt growing joy and satisfaction from the activities. Apart from training young students, he also gained a great experience in teaching adults, but he honestly admits it is not so easy: “There is a problem with adults. They ponder over everything they are about to do. If you tell them to do a certain thing, they will ask you if they are doing it correctly. Children, unlike adults, just do things. We, adults complicate everything in life. So when I see children progress and their happy faces, I am really happy too. I must say that it is a real challenge to achieve this.” Boris’s approach to ski teaching was very direct as he tried to avoid needless explanations. His message was simple: “just do it”. By no means was he inspired by a well-known footwear company, but simply by dedication to sport. Most beginners are obsessively afraid of speed and hazardously looking slopes. According to Boris, the teacher is responsible for building the right attitude to skiing: “I hate when teachers stand in the middle of the slope and explain to their students step by step what is going to come next. You just have to choose an easy terrain and help your students go through level to level. As a consequence, they can get used to travelling faster and faster naturally. The farther, the faster, that is the rule. You cannot achieve it in a reverse order”. However, Boris admits that it is much easier to teach men than women because men concentrate entirely on the task. When it comes to females, the teacher has to choose a completely different direction: ”The most funny thing was to teach ladies. Once, I was to teach a group of women who were very talkative and, of course, much smarter than the teacher. Unfortunately, only in the theory (he laughs). It was extremely difficult to start the lesson! When I tried to give them basic instructions, an endless series of questions and conflicting opinions came up. I needed two hours As befits a keen skier, Boris has just to get their attention. I did not know what to do, so visited many resorts, but he does I suggested that we take a cup of coffee. Their reactions not have a single favourite one. were very optimistic and spontaneous to that offer. After However, there is one spot he that break we could start normally, but still with lots of particularly likes visiting: “I really talks. The problem is that women always want to be smart like the Dolomites in Italy because and show they know absolutely everything (he laughs)”. nature is so pure there! The name of the resort is Arabba. It is a small One of the most difficult things for Boris to accept after place, but with a great atmosphere”. coming to Szczecin from Slovenia was undoubtedly lack Following free spirit, he enjoys of mountains. Thus, when during the winter time his Polish off-piste skiing in deep snow, in the colleague told him about Gubałówka in Szczecin, the middle of nowhere. The farther he can sports centre with a ski lift, Boris could not hide his deep get off-trail, the better. Thus, Boris’s puzzlement mixed with a buzz: “My reaction was: What, biggest dream leaves no surprises: you have a ski lift here? At this sea level? You have snow in “My biggest dream is to go heliskiing Poland in November? When I went there my heart was full in Canada, which gives lots of such of emotions, it almost exploded! I was so happy because opportunities. Just go to the top of there was something like a piece of my own country. the hill by a helicopter and jump...”. I must admit, though, that when I went there I realized it was not anything special comparing to professional skiing Article by Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV conditions. However, I was really satisfied I was able Photos by Major Boris Lojen, SVN A to go skiing here in Szczecin. I had not expected it”.

15 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE SZCZECIN COMBATACADEMY – faithful to traditions of the 56 Special Company

For the Polish Armed Forces the 80s and the 90s was introduced, which we call Combat were times when the soldiers from special units tried 56. In September 2014, Szczecin’s to develop hand-to-hand fighting techniques, which Combat 56 instructors decided to might allow them to survive on the battlefield. One become independent and go their own of those units was the 56 Special Company (56 SC), way as well as transfer in Combat which from the beginning was the secret unit based Szczecin Academy. Originally, the on the Russian Special Forces SPETSNAZ structure. combat system in its assumption was The task of the unit was to lead deep reconnaissance designed for soldiers as a collection of and to stay lastingly in the enemy’s formation as techniques based on Jiu-Jitsu, Kung- well as to carry out divers and sabotage operations. fu, Kyoksul, Tsunami or Wing Chun It requires a demanding and specific training like and intended to eliminate the enemy. fast thinking and analyzing the situation, parachute Unfortunately, in this form the system jumping, shooting, surviving and hand-to-hand fighting turned out to be very brutal and could be skills. Due to these requirements, a special system used only during the warfare. Combat’s We must remember something what is important in Combat Szczecin Academy. According to Krzysiek, it is a combination of various techniques: “Combat does not have borders. reconstruction was focused on preparing something safer and easier in order to use in self-defense. “The All the time we learn something Combat offers simplicity and efficiency. It is based new about modern martial arts and on a few techniques, which guarantee protection in different situations. The low number of movements we try to implement everything allows to acquire them very fast and effectively. what is useful in our system. Simple techniques like attacking the eye, crutch or trachea let avoid a direct threat. Moreover, we Therefore, the Combat trainings teach how to do an arm lock or strangling in a simple are never ending story”. way,” claims Warrant Officer Krzysztof Sęderek, who is the Combat Szczecin Academy instructor. Krzysiek has served in the Baltic Barracks as a Guard The Combat Szczecin Academy Platoon’s Commander in the Headquarter Company training takes about 90 minutes and since 2010, but in the 90s he served as a Special consists of three parts. The first one Group Commander in the 56 SC. At first glance, he includes the warm-up, when students looks inconspicuously, not like somebody who can practice running, push-ups, sit-ups make you turn into a disabled: “When I cast my mind and do exercises, which help them back to the past, I have always trained something. develop speed, motor and endurance At first, so called street fights and Jiu-Jitsu. Then, abilitities. During the winter time, this while working at the Special Company, I started part of the training takes place very missing something stronger, more effective and often outside, on a slippery surface faster to learn. Arek Kups, the last 56 SC’s Training which enhances coordination skills. The Director based the Combat System on contact second part of the training focuses on fight. I realized it was exactly what I needed”. executing punches and hacks. These exercises are helpful to “open the road” After the 56 SC was dissolved in 1994, its soldiers to an enemy and use the self-defense spread around Poland and started to serve in different techniques. Finally, the training refers units. In order to continue the unit’s traditions, to techniques, which let an enemy Major Arkadiusz Kups along with the best of his incapacitate. Students learn how to ex-soldiers converted their military combat system pin an opponent down, do an arm or into the civilian discipline needs. Warrant Officer a leg lock, a strangling or how to free Sęderek says: “I started my adventure with Combat themselves from the lock of an opponent as a Combat 56 instructor in 2010, but first trainings that is helpful in situations of a threat. for civilians started in 1997. While training Combat, I try to prepare myself and others for what can possibly happen in the street, at the gate or in the cramped room. For me, the system offers not only Article by Major Zbigniew Garbacz, POL A fighting skills, but also the ability to avoid dangers, Photos by Combat Section and the ability to react in unusual situations”.

17 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE Have you ever heard about SCUBA ICE DIVING?

As many soldiers serve in the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE), as many hobbies they have. But one of them has an extremely amazing hobby – scuba ice diving.

Lieutenant Colonel Victor Kalnitski from Estonia is The starting point is the following one of us. He is a typical man like all of us – the question – What is actually the scuba ice husband and the father of a fourteen-year-old son. diving? According to Victor, it is the idea He came to the HQ MNC NE in August 2013 from of diving during the winter when lakes Estonian Land Forces Command in Tallinn, where he and seas are covered by ice. On the had served as the field artillery officer. In the Corps, one hand, it is a very attractive sport, but he serves as a G-5 staff officer of policy branch. on the other hand it is very demanding. However, it is not a point of this story, because Scuba ice diving needs the right plan, the key point is his hobby – scuba ice diving. proper equipment and special skills. When you want to dive, the first thing which you challenging thing for him was not diving have to do is to choose the right place and make under ice of the Baltic Sea, but diving a hole in the ice. Sometimes, it is not easy due in the Entu Lake, which is one of the to thickness of ice and then chainsaw has to be smallest and clearest lakes in Estonia. used. Then, you must check the compressed- “It has a really big slide of ice, almost air cylinder and of course, the rope. Thanks to one meter thick and because of that you that, you will have an opportunity to communicate cannot make the hole very easily. When with the person who belays you from surface. I was under the water and I started to come back I realized that I could not find For Victor, water has always been his passion giving the way back. It was trapped by the thick him adrenaline: “I like water. During my school life, ice layer and the sun was dazzling”. before I joined the army I had practiced rowing in the Rowing Academy. I enjoy being in the water because When I asked him about the most it gives me something more and it is a little bit risky”. dangerous factors while practicing scuba For the same reason he started his adventure with ice diving, Victor emphasized that the scuba diving in 2007 in Estonia. The first thing, which routine is one of them. When you start he had to do to become a diver, was passing the to think that you are so experienced diving course and receiving the open water diver that nothing can happen to you, you license. The next step he did in 2009, when he usually risk your life. You cannot forget to finished the special course for scuba ice divers. prepare the place, check the equipment as well as you rely on the person who He emphasized that scuba ice diving is nothing belay you from surface of ice and the special for him. It is very popular among Estonian people who dive with you: “When we divers: “In Estonia, we have a lot of ice, we have go under the ice all divers should stay a lot of snow and winter is long. If you want to together, but sometimes one of divers dive in winter time you have to do it under the ice”. thinks that he is able to dive alone and Furthermore, Victor underlined that they had a lot just leave others. It is very dangerous, of fantastic lakes “encouraging” everyone to dive. because in case of threat you are alone He was surprised, that according to their diver, life and nobody can help you if you need it”. under ice looks the same like in any other season. Nothing changes for underwater flora and fauna. To summarize, I would like to highlight what is vital for Victor as well as what As a diver, Victor had an opportunity to verify his should be important for everyone who skills in the Baltic Sea, but to be honest he is a fan of has passion. It is the family support. Estonian’s lakes. He dives in every available place and moment. What is very interesting, the most

One of them has an extremely amazing hobby – Scuba Ice Diving

Family which stands for you is your motivator to challenge yourself. Moreover, everyone should realize that thanks to their support, people with passion can make their dreams come true. Diving in the Caribbean Sea is one of such dreams for Victor, and I wish him from the bottom of my heart to put it into action.

Article by Major Zbigniew Garbacz, POL A Photos by Lieutenant Colonel Victor Kalnitski, EST A

19 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE Article by Major Zbigniew Garbacz, POL A Photos by Lieutenant Colonel Victor Kalnitski, EST A

20 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE 21 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE 22 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE 23 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE these BOOTS are made for walking

The clock is buzzing, it is 3 am. It is the second day of the Nijmegen March in Holland. I try to get out of the bed. My back, legs and feet are sore from yesterday’s march (40 km with 10 kg of gear).

I am not looking forward to the 42 km long march today to There is only 15 km until the first stop where start at 5 am, and the following two days of marching. I am I can rest my legs and feet. Now, I am glad for still lucky with only one blister on my left foot so far, but many Sunday training marches. It’s like putting I am sure that more will appear during today’s walk. It is money in the bank: it’s tiresome when you do it, starting to rain. As I stand in a long line for breakfast, I start but later when you need it, you appreciate that thinking what the F___ I am doing spending more than you have done it. It just makes your life easier. a week of my summer leave and paying almost 300 euros. Otherwise, you could end up like this: Our march leader said yesterday: “Get up early, because you need more than half an hour in a line for breakfast and you need the energy”. He was right. 40 minutes in line for the Dutch military breakfast. It’s not the best breakfast, but I know that I need the energy during the day. I am back to our tent to get the uniform and 10 kg of gear and line up in the darkness. As soon as I put my webbing on, I can feel where it was placed yesterday. Military units walk 4x40 km with 10 kg gear and civilians walk 4x50 km bringing only what they need for the day. I am not sure which is better. It is 5 am now and we start the march. It’s still dark and only a bird and small talking break the silence. I just need to get my feet to work and something to get my mind away from the blister and tired body. Maybe a song will help. I start to sing and soon everybody is singing loudly. The game is on and the pain is gone, at least for a while. Time is passing and we are marching into the camp Dodentocht: “Been there, done that, got and directly into the beer tent as we are singing the medal”. Was it the last time or not? loudly a Danish march song. After two beers, If you are on mission and there is I head to the shower tent and check on the left a Danish unit you might be invited feet - not good. The blister has turned into a blood to attend the DANCON March. blister. But blisters are not show stoppers if you treat them right. Tomorrow we march again. DANCON stands for Danish Contingent and the march has been a tradition When you are out there singing march songs, with the Danish Defence since 1972 talking for more than 8 hours with soldiers, non- when the Royal Danish Army was commissioned officers (NCOs) and officers from other deployed on Cyprus. The march invites units and countries, it is more than fine and the pain foreign troops allied with Denmark to is gone for a while again. At the end of the march participate in the 25 km or 100 km march. you will get the Cross for the March and in most DANCON marches have taken place in countries you are allowed to wear it on your uniform. Cyprus, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, The International Four Day Marches Nijmegen (or Iraq, Afghanistan (Green Zone, Kabul, Vierdaagse) is the largest marching event in the Feyzabad), Lebanon, Eritrea and Sudan. world. It is held every year in Nijmegen in mid-July Normally, you bring your gear (helmet, to promote sport and exercising. Participants walk flak vest, and weapons depending on 30, 40 or 50 kilometers a day depending on their the threat) with a minimum weight of age and sex. After the competition, they receive 10 kg, not including water. You need to a royally approved medal (Vierdaagsekruis). cross the finish line within 6 hours. If you Participants are mostly civilians, but there manage it, you will receive a diploma are also a few thousand of military ones. and a DANCON march medal. A normal DANCON march is 25 km to 30 km, The purpose of the march is to demonstrate depending on the terrain, security and the physical preparedness of soldiers. where you can march. Some Danes, The Nijmegen March was the motivator when most likely with old Viking blood in their I attended the Danish NCO school back in veins, didn’t think that 25 to 30 km with 1988. At that time, the NCO school arranged 10 kg gear was challenging enough and the tour and we had always marched in basic decided to arrange a 100 km DANCON training, so we were used to march and the march, like the Dodentocht. It is not medal was the only one an NCO could get. every mission that you will see a 100 km DANCON march, and I do not think it is The longest march I have ever completed was wise to take part in it if you are not used the Dodentocht, which is a 100 km march (The to marching and especially if you are Dodentocht English: Death march) organized not really good friends with your boots. annually in Bornem, Belgium since 1970. The grueling march derives its name from the length In Afghanistan, more than 600 soldiers of the march as well as the rough and forested from a lot of different countries attended terrain. Personally, I call it the Real Soldier March. the DANCON march. The fastest soldier did the 25 km DANCON march in This Dodentocht was a real challenge for me. We 2 hours and 15 minutes (spring 2013). had 24 hours to complete 100 km (no running) and when I was on the 70th km my whole body In KOSOVO (KFOR), 3300 soldiers was tired and my feet had more than 10 blisters. from almost all contributing nations No pain, no gain, they say. I was glad that it was took part in the march, that is almost only a march and I could drink a large cold beer 20 % of the entire force that attended and rest when I reached the finish line. Finally, the 25 km DANCON in 2007. I didn’t have to be combat ready afterwards. I have already completed many military There are other marches where the distance and civilian marches. The peak was is 150 km and even 200 km. This is not for in 1991, when I walked more than me. I found my maximum distance when 600 km including Nijmegen March completing the 100 km Dodentocht. (160 km), Holland; Dodentocht (100 km), Belgium; Bern March (90 km) Schwitzerland; Hærvejs Marchen (90 km) Denmark; Bornholm Rundt (125 km), Denmark; and many other training marches. I destroyed two pairs of military boots by wearing them out. What is my motivation? I like getting out in nature, being active, and meeting other soldiers from different countries. I also believe in the following: “Marching is relevant to basic infantry skills such as shooting, so what are you waiting for? Get out there, because your boots are made for walking”.

Article & photos by Major Carsten Dalsgaard, DNK A Main photo by Karol Sito, POL CIV

21 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE Everybody paid a lot to freeze and feel pain on a nice and sunny Saturday

But every real Tough Mudder would do it again Start at 5:30 am at home to reach the race track Lausitzring latest at 8:30 am. I had breakfast in the car. Two rolls with ham and cheese, prepared by my girlfriend and a bottle of Coke Zero formed the basis of my physical potential on that day. On the spot, the first meeting of all TEAM ROUGHNECKS members consisting of 8 persons. After a problem-free, well organized in- processing, the event started at 10:20 am with the Tough Mudder pledge: As the Tough Mudder I pledge that:

1. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE TOUGH MUDDER IS NOT A RACE BUT A CHALLENGE 2. I PUT TEAMWORK AND CAMARADERIE BEFORE MY COURSE TIME 3. I DO NOT WHINE - KIDS WHINE 4. I HELP MY FELLOW MUDDERS COMPLETE THE COURSE 5. I OVERCOME ALL FEARS

To overcome all obstacles designed by the British Special Forces, team work was absolutely necessary. One of the hardest obstacles was the arctic enema, a container filled with water and icecubes, for the Mudders to dive through. 15 degrees Celsius and the warming sun in the back helped us to survive but there was still the distance of 15 km to go. Electric eel: an obstacle with 20 cm deep water spanned by a wooden construction to carry the electric shock wires. First, all Mudders tried to avoid the contact with wires by worming through the obstacle. That took them round about 3 minutes and caused a long queue in front of the obstacle. Afterwards, one Gathering in front of the last obstacle. Another participant was crawling as fast as he could electric shock obstacle in which the Mudders through the water not concerned about the had to jump over bales of straw while running shocks, which hit him from time to time, but through the wires. Minimum 5 hits per person in overcame the obstacle in 15 seconds, a rush our team, but much harder than in the electric broke out. Most of the ROUGHNECKS team eel obstacle. After 3,5 hour and round about 19 members were hit by 3 shocks. However, km we crossed the finish line, where everyone afterwards they were able to go on and warm received a T-shirt, a headband, a beer and up a little during the run to the next obstacle. a thermal blanket out of a first aid box. Berlin walls: 2 wooden walls, one after All participants paid between 79 another, with a height of 3 metres. The only and 160 Euro depending on the possible way to overcome that obstacle time of signing in for the event. as a team was to push one Mudder to the top, who was pulling up the rest. Everybody paid a lot to freeze and feel pain on a nice and sunny Saturday. But every Mount Everest: 3 am and the high quarter real Tough Mudder would do it again. pipe, well known from some skater events. The obstacle was constantly watered by an Article and photos by employee of the organizer to make it more Captain Stephan Schreier, DEU A difficult for the participants to climb to the top. Also this obstacle could only be overcome with the help of the Mudders waiting on the top, who spread their hands to the fellow Mudders.

23 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE catching a

Article by Michelle Jebsen, DNK CIV TRACK Photos by Lieutenant Colonel Christian Ziese Have you ever met a real life treasure Graphics and photos Karol Sito, POL CIV hunter? Geocachers are devoted treasure hunters using GPS coordinates.

Did you also know that Lieutenant Colonel Christian Ziese is a geocacher? In his spare time, he takes the gear, wife and dogs and goes treasure hunting and at the same time explores the nature and new challenges. Christian familiarized himself with geocaching thanks to his Belgian colleague during a course in Brussels in 2007. Then he introduced it to his wife Eva. She got to like the idea and now they are exploring geocaching together as often as possible. When going on trips, they try to visit a few geocaches on the way, if there is a special or an interesting one. Both Christian and Eva agree that without geocaching they would have never seen so many special places. Christian says: “Once I was in a room which used to serve as a doctor’s room and all the old medical files of the people were still there. We could read about all the illnesses that patients had, it was very interesting and different”. Christian and Eva have both seen great things such as an old locomotive bunker in Sweden dating back to the Cold War time, an old bread factory with all the machines still there and other technological sophisticated caches. They have experienced that a man had built a room in an abandoned building, with equipment to make geocachers feel like Indiana Jones. In other places, they had to follow tracks to a geocache by the use of UV light. What is geocaching?

Geocaching is a popular outdoor sports activity connected

to a high-tech GPS treasure, founded in September 2000. The goal of this activity is to find specific containers or boxes called geocaches from coordinates given. The first name for Geocaching was GPS stash hunt or gpsstashing. Geocaching comes from the combination of the two words; geo, which means earth and caches, which refers to a hidden location. This is an active outdoors sport for people who strive for challenges and adventures. Geocachers love to

explore the nature. More than 100 countries in all 7 continents have geocaching members and provide caches for this worldwide game. Therefore, it is possible to seek adventure in different places around the world. The organization of Geocaching has as many as 6 million members and 2,309,242 active geocachers registered.

A BUG IS A BADGE, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO AN ITEM THAT IS BEING FOLLOWED BY GEOCACHING.COM

Article by Michelle Jebsen, DNK CIV

Photos by Lieutenant Colonel Christian Ziese Graphics and photos Karol Sito, POL CIV

Christian and Eva are often accompanied by friends They collect travel bugs from the caches they to help them find a geocache. Christian says: “With find. Christian and Eva have spent more than more people it is easier to find a geocache, because a year on several trips travelling through Africa. we have more eyes and different ways of thinking”. They will bring more than 20 travel bugs on With his climbing gear and other tools he is ready for their next trip. It is rare for a travel bug to extreme caches that require special equipment. They go to Africa. They are now giving them the try to go for the highest levels of geocaches, because opportunity to travel around the world. They they like a challenge and they like to search. Christian have 12 travel bugs, which they placed in and Eva are a great team; Eva does the planning and geocaches and are now around different preparations while Christian does the climbing. places in the world like Asia, the United States, Scandinavia, Czech Republic and Geocaching has become a regular hobby for the Germany. Some of their own travel bugs couple. They both enjoy the forest where they can bring have travelled between 40 and 50,000 km. their three dogs for long walks. Some of their favorite caches are in lost places, which are often abandoned Approaching their 1,000 geocache, buildings containing different stories. They want to go they are still very excited to continue

to destinations where they can experience something this adventure and will continue

new. They enjoy places where they learn about history it for as long as they can. or information concerning the different places they visit. X

25 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE Out of the fence Corps’ activities

The military unit seems to appear for some as a tightly including the civilian area. It all comes from the fenced mystery with formidably looking men in uniforms. NATO Comprehensive Approach, which stands One can imagine, they exercise since the sunrise, roll in for a close cooperation among political, civilian mud and keep shooting all the time. The accurate picture and military sector. In fact, an army can’t exist of a daily military duty in the Headquarters Multinational as a separate composition, because it simply Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) is far from this stereotype. takes actions on civilian territories. Therefore, Moreover, for some, military engagement into civilian arena the Corps has worked intensively with a couple is common. In fact, since 2005 the Corps has experienced of city institutions and universities, participates the burgeoning Civilian-Military Cooperation (CIMIC). occasionally and regularly in seminars and That year, the Corps passed Full Operational Capability conferences as well as events. In this way, the (FOC) test, which had been the major goal to reach since NATO’s unit in Szczecin has been an integral its establishment in 1999. After that, the Baltic Barracks’ part of the local community and has assimilated personnel could direct the efforts towards new challenges, to the city structure further and further.

Article by Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV

AnAn overviewoverview ofof thethe interactionsinteractions withwith thethe CIVILIANCIVILIAN WORLDWORLD The Corps cooperation with universities and colleges has been expanding for a few years now. Both local academies and national ones are civilian partners for the Baltic Barracks. Among them are the West Pomeranian University of Szczecin, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Academy Voivodeship of European Integration in Szczecin, Collegium Balticum in Szczecin, University of Security from Poznań and Szczecin International School.

The mutual exchange of information and experience works both sides. Some departments offer sophisticated knowledge and conduct researches that are extremely helpful for the work of the Corps’ personnel. A good City Hall example is the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at University of Szczecin of Szczecin, which runs various military analyses that can be a valuable source of information before going on a mission or other military operations. Following this approach, there are other fields of knowledge money for these most in need. Supporting that serve as a treasure trove: “Nowadays, the cultural charities is an issue towards which members aspects and deep knowledge about the society of the of the Ladies’ Club in the Baltic Barracks are mission’s territory are carefully studied before launching not indifferent either. They regularly organize any military operation. An effective cooperation between meetings for collecting money, for example with civilian organizations and soldiers in the theatre stands delicious, self-made cakes and other delicacies. for successful results. It can’t be ignored on no account The sport spirit is tightly incorporated as these two worlds are not mutually exclusive”, says in a daily agenda for both many Corps’ Lieutenant Colonel Jacek Chamera from G-9 staff division soldiers and civilians. Their participation of HQ MNC NE responsible for civil-military cooperation. in various competitions and especially Today, the social awareness and openness towards running events is highly marked in an humanitarian organizations, such as Polish Humanitarian annual calendar. More importantly, Action is a part of planning as well as executing mission. triumph in this area is not uncommon. The Corps’ personnel were deployed to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission threefold. The scope of building necessary skills needed for a deployment Article by Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV applied to both military ones and acquiring a great expertise Photos by Karol Sito, POL CIV that enables executing tasks in concrete territory. Another wide forum for discussion and mutual inspirations is an annual Conference on Intercultural Competences organized by the City Hall of Szczecin and hosted by the Academy of Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Chamera explains the idea European Integration behind the event: “Working in the international environment in Szczecin is a distinctive factor for NATO troops, however, also a very challenging one. If we add to it a civilian contribution, the approach to tasks and goals of both sides has to be entirely understood and respected. The obstacle is not only the language, but also different customs, traditions and the background”. The new undertaking, this time organized and hosted by the Commander of the Corps is the Great Orchestra of Symposium on the Baltic Region Security. The first edition Christmas Charity took place in 2014, simultaneously with commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Corps’ establishment. The Symposium’s main goal is to focus on the Baltic Region from the military as well as a civilian perspective. Among the invited guests were NATO and military representatives and the specialists on politics, science and culture. The event is planned to be held annually and undertakes the University of Security most current issues on the security situation in the region. from Poznan The Corps has also been cooperating with the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. In 2014 the Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast, Lieutenant General Bogusław Samol and the West Pomeranian Voivode Marek Tałasiewicz signed an agreement on cooperation between the Corps and the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. The Baltic Barracks has extended the partnership with the Voivodeship Jagiellonian in managing defense and threats in the region as the University in Kraków document was signed for the first time a few years before. The civilian-military cooperation goes beyond universities and institutions for the Corps’ family. Its members are also involved in charity undertakings such as Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. Every year, multinational representatives of the Baltic Barracks take an active part in collecting University of Szczecin

1 st Symposium on Baltic Region Security

27 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE With regard to upgrading the readiness of the Corps, we asked the three questions to the three generals regarding the future of MNC NE.

Interviews by Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV / Photos by MNC NE Reproduction Section & Karol Sito, POL CIV

What are the Corps’ assets when it comes to developing its future? When discussing the future tasks of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE), we have to take into consideration its geostrategic location in this part of Europe. Here, if we look back, numerous wars and political disputes regarding control of the area took place in the past because this region has been important for both Europe and Asia. This is due to the good transport system and the space available to build it on. So, this region is crucial for the developing economies in this part of Europe, but it is also equally important for the West and East. Moreover, MNC NE has very experienced staff members from fourteen countries. Over the past 15 years, soldiers, officers and non-commissioned officers who have worked and trained here, have gained great experiences and shared them with their successors. Personally, my opinion is that all commanders, deputy commanders and chiefs of staff this Corps Headquarters has had, have done a great job. Furthermore, the Corps is a connecting element for the countries of the Baltic Sea Region as well as Central Europe. I have to emphasise the fact that among our personnel are soldiers from these territories. Therefore, our governments share common affairs with regard to international security in this part of Europe. In the context of the challenges emerging in Lieutenant General the eastern flank of the Alliance, the Corps can play an Bogusław Samol, Polish Army important role in ensuring peace and stability in this region. How does the Corps contribute to security in the Baltic Region? who came back from the ISAF First of all, the soldiers serving in our Corps come from mission in Afghanistan as well as the Alliance that is obliged to exercise collective defence those who will join our Corps soon. and to respect the highest values such as civil liberty and Moreover, we need to establish human dignity. When training and exercising, we learn the teams of officers and non- how to defend our own territories and how to contribute to commissioned officers to plan and a successful execution of a mission. Hence, our intention execute future exercises as well is not to run offensive activities beyond our borders. as to run other military activities. I think that our Corps is a stabilizer of security and at The elaboration of new operational the same time it has a deterring value in the region. procedures is a significant element of the future structure. It is a crucial task What are the areas where the because we need to be compatible with the other NATO’s forces and Corps wants to invest more? with national forces that will provide As the increase of the Corps’ readiness is a mere political units and formations for our exercises decision, we will have to work really hard to achieve it in or in case we have to act based on practice. We have to pay attention to training our soldiers the principle of collective defence. COM What are the Corps’ assets when it comes to developing its future? Multinational Corps Northeast will develop its regional potential that until now has been allowed to be dormant by the unprecedented level of stability in the region since the end of the Cold War. In light of recent developments, NATO has asked the Headquarters to take on a new role. The foundation is our intimate knowledge of the region – this is our home turf. How does the Corps contribute to security in the Baltic Region? Until now, we have benefited from a stable and predictable security environment in the Baltic Region. This has allowed us to remain at low readiness at home, but also to play an active and important role by contributing to the expansion of safety and security beyond the NATO area – as it has been the case with now three deployments to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. We must now safeguard the home turf against uncertainty. There is a new unpredictability along NATO’s border to the east and indeed deep into the Baltic Sea. We see incidents of deliberate provocative military behaviour in the airspace above the Baltic and Major General most recently evidence of illegal submarine activity Agner Rokos, Danish Army in territorial waters in the Baltic Sea as well. The possibility to counter this uncertainty is by continuing to share the sincere wish to work together and stand together, not only among the NATO nations, but also with our many partner nations. Multinational Corps Northeast has always been a vehicle for this integration, both across NATO and beyond, and this will increase substantially. What are the areas where the Corps wants to invest more? We will invest across the board; we will improve our readiness, we will increase our jointness by adding air and maritime expertise to the staff, more nations will join us, and we will add significantly to the number, scope and focus of our activities. The outcome will be a strong and prepared stance with improved capabilities, ready at short notice, based on which we can continue to seek the broadest possible cooperation without the flavour of outside intimidation. 29 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE DCOM What are the Corps’ assets when it comes to developing its future? First of all, I think that the Corps’ staff has a good basis so as to develop in line with what is required by NATO. The reasons for developing into high readiness are the Ukraine crisis and the fact that Russia has changed its international behaviour pattern. Our Corps’ staff has always concentrated on Article 5 operations. Moreover, we have members from all the NATO nations at the eastern flank, which is why our personnel have the necessary experience and knowledge about the region. I think that these are the best resources one can think of when it comes to planning and new developments. How does the Corps contribute to security in the Baltic Region? One thing is certain: we will develop into high readiness. This means that we will have to take on the regional responsibility implied with this role and have our share in what is known as NATO readiness action plan. We will moreover expand our knowledge about the region and also train and exercise here and become the number one choice for NATO on site for Article 5 operations. Brigadier General What are the areas where the Lutz Niemann, German Army Corps wants to invest more? I think we are well prepared and have trained very hard over the last years. We should, however, not underestimate the new environment, i. e., the challenges we are about to face with respect to high readiness. We will be increasingly involved in current business matters. I also believe that we will have to undergo a mental change so as to be able to better focus on current issues. This does not mean that we have not worked hard enough. No, this is not the case. I would like to point out here that we will have to invest more in our situational awareness and react directly to current developments. We must improve our command and control capacities within the Command Support Brigade and gain more mobility. The aforementioned, I figure, are the most important domains we will have to improve and work on. Moreover, our multinational community will be considerably augmented soon by new personnel coming to Szczecin. COS Additionally, we have also checked how the increase of readiness will affect some of the functional areas in the Corps.

Trilateral Statement (Denmark, Germany and Poland) Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) Multinational Corps Northeast Readiness Action Plan Baltic Sea Region Wales Summit NATO

TOWARDSArticle by Agnieszka Szelega, POL CIV the new Last year’s NATO Wales Summit resulted in numerous political decisions including the awaited one for the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE). According to previous forecasts, the Trilateral Statement among Denmark, Germany and Poland initiated a process of increasing the readiness status of this Corps of the Baltic Sea Region. It went in parallel with the approval by NATO of the so called Readiness Action Plan, which focuses mainly on adapting procedures and structures that are aimed at securing the north eastern flank of the Alliance as well as to meet all other security challenges. The implementation of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), which can be deployable on short notice, is one of elements foreseen in the Plan. The Szczecin Corps, after having passed the full operational capability evaluation, could be foreseen to execute command and control over the VJTF if it is deployed in this part of Europe. This completely new task requires distinct and complex changes for the organization of both the Baltic Barracks and its personnel. source bmvg.de

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31 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE Giving MNC NE the role of a significant security are expected to join soon. This means, stabilizer in the Baltic Sea Region, the location and more regulations and legal standards circumstances were taken into account: “NATO has to bring under control. Commander recognized that MNC NE has a special uniqueness, Stanuch-Kossowska admitted that experience and knowledge in the region. Moreover, additional support for legal advisors the composition of the Corps with members from would be a great relieve, especially both the Baltic and the Visegrad States helps with during periods of exercises, when gaining more responsibility in this region with regard number of documents to be prepared on to the VJTF and coordination of training, exercises a short notice increases significantly. and defense planning issues”, says Lieutenant Recently, the implementation of the new Colonel Frank Ennen, the Chief Policy Branch of NATO secret network within the Corps the Corps. However, the VJTF concept has been has proceeded on an advanced level. an ongoing process as preparation and approval However, getting familiar with the new of all the details and procedures require time and system isn’t the end of challenges for the involvement of all Alliance member states. Receiving Communication and Information System such a complex task will considerably impact Branch. Lieutenant Colonel Marcus every soldier and civilian in the Baltic Barracks. Albrecht, the Chief of Communication Speaking about the territory, for the Collection and and Information Systems Operational Production Branch of the MNC NE, the development Branch stresses more concerns: “We that the Corps is heading to, means a redirection have to provide connectivity as well of the focus to the Baltic Sea Region. Recently, it as the working stations. We need was mainly responsible for collecting intelligence approximately 200 new working stations, information and preparing intelligence assessments which have to implement the new NATO based on Afghanistan and neighborhood due to network. Additionally, we need to figure International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) out how it works in the future regarding mission in Kabul. Lieutenant Colonel Jessica Voss, our readiness. From my point of view, the Chief of the branch explains, what stands behind we have to be more flexible, also when the upcoming changes: “Our personnel will increase we are deployed”. Coordinating issues and by having more brain power will allow us to with regard to equipment, infrastructure, have more capacity to look at the problem set. It’s software as well as specialist, who will also very much about regional awareness. In this manage all these things, will be the

source: www.independent.co.uk regard, having personnel from the region helps a lot. biggest challenge for G-6 staff division However, we will still have requirement to produce where mentioned Communication and an intelligence summary of different things that our Information System Branch is located as Commander is interested in”. The significant posts’ well as an IT one. For the Chief of the enlargement will undoubtedly keep the Personnel IT Branch, Lieutenant Colonel Dariusz Branch busy. It will grow itself, however the logistic Stanek the range of responsibilities will skills will be at a premium: “The biggest challenge grow rapidly: “There will be new duties will be probably the moment when we reach the regarding security, the bigger number of full manning, meaning over 200 new personnel. It personnel, but also in relation to contacts will be linked with lots of negotiations with all the with external partners, who are located nations, because bringing in new people means further from NATO. Moreover, we will many new tasks. Moreover, we can’t have 200 new have a professional dealing with cyber people during one day, because every 3 years they defense and that will be something will rotate. In order to deconflict this situation, we new. In the old structure we didn’t have have to organize everything really carefully”, says a direct counterpart for cyber defense”. Lieutenant Colonel Thorsten Wertmann, the Chief Rearranging the Baltic Barracks’ Personnel Branch. Doubling the staff’ number results infrastructure, increasing the personnel also in modifying legal documents. This process might and adding much more responsibilities last even a few years as every country has different resemble a complex puzzle. The procedures. The legal adviser of the Corps, Lieutenant way ahead though, will change the Commander Edyta Stanuch-Kossowska says: “We status of the Corps irreversibly not have to send documents to every nation taking into only in the Baltic Sea Region, but consideration different requirements, details and also regarding a role it will play in wait for approval. It can take really long time and in the NATO’s community itself. a meantime changes take place”. Currently, there are fourteen nations in the Corps, but new members Is there anybody who does not know what SWITCHBOARD is?

Switchboard can I help you?

COMMUNICATION TEAM TELEPHONE– a hidden voice of the Headquarters Telecommunication branch started its operation in G-6 staff division at the very moment of the Corps’ establishment in 1999. Just next to the Information Technology (IT) section and Information Assurance (IA) section, they are also related strictly to telecommunication cells as: Communications Centre (COMMCENT) (referred to in the previous issue of the Baltic Amber Magazine under the title of “A secret heart of the Corps”) and Switchboard (SWB).

Our work in SWB, similarly as it is in case of At the moment when servicemen go COMMCEN, is not visible and obvious. Therefore, for exercises, trainings or missions, many persons do not have an insight of what it seems that the Headquarters is an we actually do. SWB is, most importantly, the empty and silent place where nothing “link” between the external world and the is happening. In our office, however, Corps. In practice, our main task is to connect telephones ring with a considerable phone calls and provide information with the frequency! SWB, seemingly observation of confidentiality requirements. invisible, is always engaged in exercises. Using a special prefix we We start our work half an hour earlier than connect phone calls among units other employees. After our duty, which we engaged in military undertakings. also finish half an hour later than the others, we switch off to “our friends” - COMMCENT, Additionally, SWB is responsible and at that time all telephone connections are for logistic matters concerning served by our colleagues, who provide a 24/7 mobile phones distribution, both for service including weekends and holidays. exercises purposes as well as for duty trips of individuals. Moreover, The most important aspect of our profession is we are responsible for telephone bills certainly COMMUNICATION. Any and all information preparation as well as the introduction referring to running matters of the Headquarters is of amendments to the telephone data of significant importance for us. The core of our daily base available in our internal network. work refers to the knowledge of events taking place in the Headquarters. Working in SWB also requires the knowledge of general aspects related to the cooperation with other Corps and military units.

33 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE And when our servicemen take part in missions we An elderly lady has made her best connect them with their families. In order to carry to get through to a health clinic, but out our duties the best we can, it is significant to has dialled a wrong number and learn about mechanisms of efficient communication, called SWB time after time. Hearing develop the skill of active listening and provide reliable SWB on the line again she angrily information. As a result, we receive nice comments asked why we had answered if it is and praises as well as have satisfied callers. not the clinic she wanted to call. There would be no possibility to create positive There are also extraordinary situations. interpersonal relations without efficient communication Once, we got a call from a person who and passing important information, and our work used to serve in a formation based here would be meaningless if those conditions were before the Corps. We were requested not fulfilled – and this is our credo in SWB. to locate a friend with whom service was held here many, many years ago. We always remember that if in the course of contact with another person we fail to stay “here Some other time, a Polish woman, and now” forgetting about our own matters and who has recently moved to Szczecin problems, we will not be able to provide effective with her English husband, asked for assistance. No engagement in the process of an unusual favour. As the man had communication automatically leads to careless difficulty adapting and felt lonely, listening, which we may never do in SWB. she asked if he could spend some time in the Headquarters making The crucial thing for us is also to place the main focus friends and speaking English. on establishing key vocabulary and expressions, which enable a problem-free communication. There was an exceptionally moving However, conversations do not always go our call from a man whose son had way. Sometimes, our callers are impolite and fought cancer. The boy dreamed demand the kind of information that we are not of seeing a military formation allowed to provide. Once in a while, we also get and exercising soldiers. The disturbing calls from the mentally disordered. dreams came true thanks to the Such conversations are not easy, every now and Headquarters Company Commander. then the people threaten us and they are hard to We learned later that the boy had understand. These calls are extremely difficult visited the Company and received to handle, because we want to obtain important a military T-shirt. It is wonderful to information and help. This is our daily routine. see your dreams materialize. We have to stay in close touch with the security The calls from Afghanistan were officer, who always supports us in difficult situations special as we put the deployed and often helps solve the toughest problems. personnel through to their families. Fortunately, such occasions are rare, as We could sense different moods and most callers are polite and friendly. They tensions relating to the mission. often praise us, which makes us happy Over the past few years SWB has and is a source of a great satisfaction. grown and developed technically. Our Apart from dealing with difficulties, funny things control panels have been replaced by happen, too. We take frequent calls from companies modern models twice. As it happens whose representatives want to sell their “services” with new and modern equipment, and wish to speak to the director of the company. the introduction of touch screens has led to many unexpected and funny situations involving repeated and accidental dialling e.g. the Deputy Commander’s phone number. The distinctive nature of switchboard work gives us a sense of accomplishment. Every task solved successfully gives us satisfaction with a well done job and makes us ready for another interesting challenge.

Article by Anna Brzeczek , POL CIV & Karina Michalak, POL CIV Photos by Karol Sito, POL CIV 39 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE 40 Baltic Amber MAGAZINE