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MAGAZINE FOR HQ JFC - MAY 2021

60 YEARS OF NATO AIR POLICING Stronger together: For 60 years, Allies have collectively secured NATO’s airspace

THIS MONTH'S FOCUS: NATO AIR POLICING

• EXERCISE GRIFFIN LIGHTING 21 • PROTECTING THE ARMED FORCES IN THE DIGITAL DOMAIN JFC• CROATIAN ARMED FORCESBRUNSSUM WE FOCUS ON CARS.

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MAGAZINE FOR HQ JFC BRUNSSUM

CONTENTS MAY 2021 EDITORIAL STAFF Frank Warda (DEU ) Editorial Director Editorial Staff 2 COMMAND CORNER 3 COVID MEASURES AT JFC BRUNSSUM Aouatef Zimrani (FRA Army) Chief Editor 4 HISTORY OF AIR POLICING (DEU ) 6 BALTIC AIR POLICING Captain Tobias Luckau Assistant Editor 8 ICELANDIC AIR POLICING Adjudant Leo Roos (NLD Army) 10 JOINT LOGISTICS SUPPORT GROUP HEADQUARTERS IN BRUNSSUM Assistant Editor 12 EXERCISE GRIFFIN LIGHTING 21 Veerle Dandoy (BEL Civilian) 16 MULTINATIONAL TRAINING WEEK FOR EFP BATTLEGROUP Assistant Editor 18 EXERCISE WINTER CAMP FOR EFP BATTLEGROUP Sergeant- Peter van Bastelaar (NLD Your NATO Specialists 20 HOW TO PROTECT THE ARMED FORCES IN THE DIGITAL DOMAIN ) Assistant Editor 22 HONORING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2021 24 VISITS AND ACTIVITIES Warrant Marc-Andre Gaudreault (CAN Army) 26 THE ARMED FORCES OF Assistant Editor 28 #WEAREJFCBS: MAJOR SALI FROM Contributors: JFCBS DCOS MGT, JFCBS JMED, PAO, German Baltic Air Policing Detachment PAO, JLSG PAO, Major Priscilla Jewell J7 HQ MNCNE J7, Captain Stefan Gierke eFP BG ABOUT THE COVER Lithuania PAO, Bjorn Malmquist eFP BG Estonia Patrick Franzen PAO, NATO Stratcom Centre of Excellence, JFCBS Your NATO Profile view of French pilot 'Captain Alexis' at Ämari PAO, Vesna Pintarić / Hrvatski vojnik Sales consultant Audi in Estonia. In May 2020, the French Air Fon +49 (2451) 9870 - 57 Force (Armée de l'Air Française) took the lead Photo Credits: Specialists [email protected] for NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission in Estonia. NATO Flickr channel, .int, Sigurd Tonning- Currently, the German Air Force is doing this Olsen (Norwegian Air Force), , rotational task. Photo from NATO flickr channel Belgian Air Force, , , , US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage, US Air Force photo by Senior Joseph Barron, , Daniel Schneiders JFCBS PAO, HQ MNCNE PAO, eFP BG Lithuania Sales consultant VW PAO, eFP BG Estonia PAO, NATO Stratcom Centre Fon +49 (2451) 9870 - 590 of Excellence Facebook page, Tomislav Brandt/ [email protected] Hrvatski vojnik

www.jfcbs.nato.int

Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum Visit us at Jacobs Automobile Geilenkirchen, Landstraße 48+50 in 52511 Geilenkirchen. The NORTHERN STAR is a publication, published with Submissions to the Northern Star can be e-mailed to @jfcbs the assistance of ‘t Swarte Schaap, in co-operation with [email protected]. Articles should be in Microsoft and at no cost to HQ JFC Brunssum. Opinions herein Word format and, whenever possible, should be no JFC Brunssum (@NATO_JFCBS) We are looking forward to your visit! do not necessarily reflect official NATO or HQ JFC longer than 300 words. Photographs should be in high Brunssum policy. The appearance of advertisements, quality JPEG or in TIFF format. including inserts, does not constitute endorsement by Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum NATO or HQ JFC Brunssum of the products or services (jfcbrunssum) Audi Zentrum Aachen Jacobs Automobile GmbH offered. Deadline for articles, advertisements and Zweigniederlassung Geilenkirchen photographs is on the Monday at close of business NATO JFC Brunssum prior to the week of publication. Landstraße 48 + 50 · 52511 Geilenkirchen Fon (02451) 98 700 · Fax (02451) 6 67 88 Automobile Geilenkirchen To place an advertisement in the Northern Star, please For more information, call Published by ’t Swarte Schaap [email protected] call ’t Swarte Schaap and ask for Rob Schaap, ext. 2687 or +31 (0)45 526 26 87. Sint Franciscusweg 36-3 Sint Franciscusweg 36-3, The editor reserves the right 6417BD Heerlen 6417 BD Heerlen, The , to edit submissions. +31 (0)45-571 61 16 telephone: +31 (0)45 571 61 16, [email protected] media & more www.tswarteschaap.nl www.jacobs-gruppe.de or e-mail: [email protected]. COMMAND GROUP CORNER H.C. ENEVOLD

‘We have many names ……’ coordination of workflow around the HQ using the Tasker Tracker system. The IKM team are critical to maintaining normal There is a saying ‘We have many names for business in the HQ. the things we love’, and my job certainly falls into this category. Some NATO organizations refer to my post as the COVID – The HQ’s response Director of Management (DOM), some as the Director of Staff (DOS) and some What happens when something like even refer to the position as Assistant COVID-19 hits one of NATO's operational COS. The reasons for the differences in headquarters, where personnel from nomenclature is unknown to me, but there almost all NATO countries are represented is a commonality with the jobs that sit and at the same time there is a requirement behind the title – they all cover a little bit for operational readiness? Like most of everything. other places, COVID-19 came as a bit of a surprise, but the HQ responded quickly. After more than two years here I find We established a Crisis Action Group myself having to remind myself of the role which, to this day, still meets weekly to and purpose of my function. With almost assess the latest information and news and 200 people in the DCOS Management make sure that the HQ’s response is timely Peacetime Establishment, plus a substantial and appropriate, balancing risk against the number of ‘others’ there must be something need to maintain the operational output. All Best job I ever had significant and, of course, there is. The easy key personnel are tested twice weekly, and answer is that the Management Directorate we have our own internal cell responsible is dealing with all the things that do not fit for tracking and tracing. We work to the As I approach the end of my tour, it is anywhere else. The question is actually not framework of the Dutch national guidelines time to reflect. Most of my career has so much what are we responsible for but but this has to be overlaid with all the been in operations and it has been quite a more like ‘where does it start and where respective country's guidelines for HQ change to get a job involved primarily with does it end’, because the Management area members and their countries' travel and supporting personnel and the associated encompasses such a broad spectrum. quarantine rules. administrative responsibilities. Coming from an operator’s viewpoint I have tried to Support to JFCBS personnel is at the heart Initially, we dealt the situation like most focus the Management Directorate in a more of our business, whether that be through other NATO HQs by dividing the staff into customer facing way. In an international Base Support Group, Protocol, the Provost teams, who then worked in shifts. When environment with many cultures and and associated were not on shift, they were on call different backgrounds, everything seems to Police or Information Knowledge and worked from their alternate duty be a bit more difficult than I am used to from Management. Base Support Group has location as much as possible. The HQ in my home country but I have found that a huge portfolio and Base quickly established necessary measures the military ethos works cross-nations and Support Group manages it admirably. It such as keeping distance, infection tracking tends to overcome all challenges, and with spans from Base Security with the HQ and reporting, as well as hand sanitizing a little patience we have succeeded. For Security Officers to Warehousing, and and mask wearing protocols. We also those who have seen Brat Pitt in the movie encompasses Conference Services, Morale revised and reduced the maximum room FURY they know that he and his crew kept and Welfare and Real Life Support. occupancy numbers to comply with Dutch their optimism by saying ‘Best Job I Ever Protocol support the HQ with the legislation. Much of this work fell to the Had’. I have been using that metaphor for administration and delivery of visits and team in Base Support Group. The process more than two years know and even though conferences, professionally and without of the Crisis Action Group advising the the job has been challenging at times I can fuss. Command Group, and implementing their truly say that it is exciting and rewarding guidance worked well, and still does. to work with different nations against a The Provost Marshal and International backdrop of support to NATO operations. advise on not only Base Through the measures put in place by Base JFC Brunssum is playing an important role Security but on the provision of security Support Group, the discipline of the staff in deterrence and defense and we in the to operations and plans. This work is and the systematic testing of key personnel Management Directorate are facilitating thankless but critical in ensuring we all it is statistically safer in the HQ than out of and enabling this work. I am proud to be a remain safe and put security and policing at it and the HQ has been able to safely return part of JFCBS and NATO. the heart of our operations. to full strength. I think this is an incredible achievement by Team Brunssum. After H.C. Enevold, Deputy Information Knowledge Management is over a year operating under COVID Chief of Staff, Management Joint Force the hub that handles the information flow conditions we have yet to see the end of the Command Brunssum in the HQ. The team manage the HQ virus, but have learned to operate safely in calendar, the incoming and outgoing mail these demanding conditions. through the registry as well as tracking and

2 COVID-19 measures in JFC Brunssum -

Protecting our staff while maintaining vigilance COVID-19

STORY BY JFCBS JMED / PAO

NATO Allies stand in solidarity in ity of a staff member infecting anyone upon physical attendance for routine conferenc- response to the Covid-19 pandemic. return. Official travel has been restricted to es, wherever possible. This is an unprecedented global chal- those conducting mission-essential work lenge, which affects us all. While only, whilst visits to the HQs have been se- All JFCBS personnel have been provided we continue to take all the neces- riously curtailed and are also subject to the with medical masks - the wearing of masks sary measures to protect our armed ‘mission-essential’ caveat. is mandatory when moving throughout the forces, NATO’s operational readi- HQs. They can only be removed when sit- ness remains undiminished. The Al- A rapid testing process has been estab- ting at work-stations, or attending meet- liance continues to deliver effective lished at JFCBS to ensure that the most ings in conference rooms, where a mini- deterrence and defence. Our forces critical tasks can be sustained. Commercial mum 1.5 metre social distancing can be remain vigilant and prepared to re- testing has also been made available, upon achieved; but, even when these conditions spond to any threat. request, to all NATO personnel at JFCBS are met, it remains the decision of the indi- who require proof of test for personal or vidual whether to remove the mask or not. Over the course of the pandemic, organisa- mission essential travel, at a small charge. A campaign to encourage flu vaccinations tions large and small, have had to adapt to has been undertaken with the aim to mini- a new reality brought about by the deadly Within the HQs itself, a number of changes mise the annual in influenza cases coronavirus - NATO is no different. As have been made to the working environ- and minimise the number of symptomatic well as supporting the global fight against ment. Office spaces have been reconfigured persons. Working hours have been extend- COVID-19, NATO staff (including those at to minimise pandemic-related risks and, in ed and staggered to minimise staff contact JFC Brunssum) have continued to carry out parallel, extensive efforts have been made on entering or exiting the HQs. their work in pursuit of the preservation of to allow as many staff as possible to work peace and security. That vital work does from home. Hand sanitiser is readily avail- COVID-19 continues to present unprec- not stop, and usually cannot be done from able for all to use as they move around the edented challenges to us all. Striking the home. So, we have employed a range of in- HQs. Perspex dividers have been issued. right balance between personnel safety and ternal measures to protect our staff, their Conference rooms have been provided the sustainment of military capability is families and the community in which we with attendance ceilings, dependent on delicate. Pandemic-related measures taken work and live. In doing so, we aim to help size; these are rigidly enforced. And, where at JFCBS are, of course, compliant with reduce the burden on local medical facili- possible, doors within the HQs are kept host nation guidance and regulation but, ties while maintaining our vigilance. permanently open to minimise the risk of where appropriate, are even more restric- viral transmission from commonly touched tive than those appertaining to the general Quarantine and testing guidance have been surfaces, whilst continuing to adhere to fire public. Steps taken to date have proven suc- put in place for those forced to undertake regulations. Internal protective measures cessful but remain under constant revision essential travel; this minimises the possibil- also include video transmission instead of to ensure their currency.

3 Stronger together: For 60 years, Allies have collectively secured NATO airspace of Air Policing 60 Years

A Royal Air Force Typhoon from RAF in taking off during a previous NATO mission in the Baltic region. From May 2021 onwards these fighter jets A Belgian pilot gets into the cockpit of an F-104G Beauvechain will be safeguarding skies over alongside the August 1964. Photo courtesy of Belgian Air Force . Archive photo courtesy Royal Air Force

STORY BY ALLIED AIR COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE NATO Air Policing is a peace- Since 1961: Contributing to Working together to protect time mission, which aims to NATO’s collective defence in and safeguard NATO’s preserve the security of Alli- the air domain airspace ance airspace. It is a collective NATO Air Policing (AP) efforts began in This year marks the Allies’ 60th anniver- task and involves the continu- 1961 throughout to defend Allied sary of conducting the enduring collective airspace. This is a peacetime, joint effort defence mission of NATO AP as a core task ous presence – 24 hours a day, from all Allies under NATO and is in opera- to preserve the integrity and safety of Allied 365 days a year – of fighter tion 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The airspace. and crews, which are Alliance cannot afford to take breaks from ready to react quickly to air- the responsibility of collective defence. “Since 1961, NATO Allies have worked to- Combining national assets supplemented gether to protect our citizens and safeguard space violations. as necessary by other NATO elements, an airspace above our nations. Starting with 12 integrated air defence structure and system Allies in the early days, the participation in The collective Air Policing posture enables – the NATO Integrated Air Defence System the Air Policing mission has now more than the Alliance to detect, track and identify to (NATINADS) – was established. The fighter doubled, involving all 30 Allied nations,” the greatest extent possible all aerial ob- aircraft fall under the Supreme Allied Com- said General Jeff Harrigian, Commander jects approaching NATO airspace so that mander European (SACEUR) Forces and Allied Air Command. “The enduring com- violations can be recognized early, and ap- will scramble to meet the needs of the mis- mitment of Allied Air Forces underlines the propriate action taken. sion. When NATO was first formed in 1949, importance of this persistent operation to it only had 12 members, but now has 30 the deterrence and defence of the Alliance,” Under NATO’s overall coordination and members. The Alliance is stronger together he added. NATINADS later became NATO control the Allies have been safeguarding and will continue to grow. Originally begin- Integrated Air and Missile Defence with the the European skies for 60 years executing ning with propeller powered aircraft for Air addition of the Alliance’s Ballistic Missile NATO Air Policing. The year 2021 marks Policing efforts, the Alliance now uses 4th Defence programme. this anniversary of the Allies conducting and 5th Generation fighters introducing jets the enduring collective defence mission of like the F-35, which was made possible by Combining sensors, command NATO Air Policing as a core task preserving the technological advances by the Allies. 60 and control and weapon the integrity of the airspace and keeping Al- years of AP has allowed for a lot of improve- systems effectively lied skies safe. ments in airframes and has allowed more AP also includes the Allies’ Air Surveillance nations to join. and Control System, Air Command and

4 Control and collective use of effort. One special case of this arrangement to preserve the integrity of NATO airspace is Baltic Air Policing. The two main hubs for in peacetime. Soon after the Allies formed, Baltic Air Policing are Šiauliai Air Base in they realized that individual air defence Lithuania and Ämari Air Base in Estonia. systems operating independently could not NATO members voluntarily contribute to effectively protect NATO and national air- the NATO Air Policing mission in the Bal- space. They started working together. An tic States and this responsibility is rotated integrated air defence structure and system every four months. The capability for the was organized by combining national assets mission in the Baltic States was established and transferring them to NATO Command by the deployment of NATO fighter air- and Control, and supplementing them as craft to Šiauliai AB when Estonia, necessary by other NATO elements. The and Lithuania joined NATO in 2004. Since resulting NATINAMDS comprises sensors, 2014, NATO has been using Ämari for the command and control facilities and weap- deployment of additional AP assets under ons systems such as ground based air de- NATO’s Assurance Measures introduced to fence and fighter aircraft. The interconnect- assure members on the Eastern flank of the ing data-link systems enable the free and Alliance and deter aggression against them. NATO jets intercept Russian open exchange of the Recognised Air Pic- Another additional fighter deployment has warplanes during unusual level ture, or RAP, all over NATO Europe from been authorised for Malbok Air Base, Po- of air activity North to South Eastern . land, under the same concept. While NATO doesn’t own any of the fighter aircraft fly- Training together and working ing AP missions in the Alliance’s airspace, STORY BY NATO PUBLIC DIPLOMACY DIVISION side by side all nations willingly deploy under the com- mand structure of NATO. They work to- The Supreme Allied Commander Europe is NATO fighter jets scrambled 10 times on gether and improve system interoperability the senior-most military officer overseeing Monday, March 29, 2021, to shadow Rus- so when times of crisis and conflict arise, NATO operations including the Air Policing sian and fighters during an unusual they can meet and overcome the challenges mission; he delegated that task to the Com- peak of flights over the North Atlantic, North faced. mander of Allied Air Command (AIRCOM). Sea, Black Sea and . In all, NATO Within AIRCOM, Allied nations with Air aircraft intercepted six different groups of Forces work side by side in exercises, train- Russian near Alliance air- ing and AP efforts alike. Interconnected space in less than six hours. Control and Reporting Centres (CRCs) and Control and Reporting Points (CRPs) con- “The men and women at NATO’s two Com- duct the day-to-day tactical surveillance bined Air Operations Centres in Uedem, Ger- and control of the airspace utilising remote many, and Torrejón, , quickly respond- and sensors. In 1961, they reported ed to unidentified aircraft near the Alliance’s to a network of more than 20 CAOCs dis- borders by launching fighters from Norway, tributed throughout the region that in turn the , , , Roma- came under three Allied Air Commands. Hellenic Eurofighters patrol Greek nia, and Turkey to investigate and Due to technical progress and not least and North Macedonian Air Space, protect allied airspace”, Brigadier General digitalization, in 2021, this task is accom- while partnering with Italy to cover Andrew Hansen, Deputy Chief of Staff Op- plished by one Air Command at Ramstein, . Photo courtesy of Hellenic erations at Allied Air Command said, adding , two CAOCs in Uedem, Germany Air Force that NATO’s air policing mission is a “truly and Torrejón, Spain, and CRCs and CRPs in collective effort”. each member country. Training to keep the skills sharp Assisting other Allies to ensure NATO AIRCOM hosts annual joint exer- Russian military aircraft often do not trans- air cises to continuously improve skills and mit a transponder code indicating their po- interoperability between nations and sys- sition and altitude, do not file a plan, NATO members without the necessary na- tems. Some are not entirely built around or do not communicate with air traffic con- tional assets to conduct Air Policing, are as- AP but they do include AP efforts. Ramstein trollers, posing a potential risk to civilian sisted by other NATO members to ensure Ambition, for example, in 2020 enhanced airliners. The Russian aircraft intercepted on air sovereignty is maintained. Special Air interoperability between NATO nations in Monday never entered Alliance airspace, and Policing arrangements exist for Albania, the High North, specifically training pilots the interceptions were conducted in a safe Estonia, , Latvia, Lithuania, Luxem- to operate out of Norway and into and routine manner. bourg, , Montenegro and – soon - and . The High North is a strategic North Macedonia. asset to the Alliance and requires constant Baltic Air Policing - Deterrence attention. AP isn’t just intercepting military on NATO’s Eastern flank aircraft in Allied airspace, it is also ensur- ing the safety of civilian aircraft as well. NATO AP is executed over all European Allied fighter aircraft are constantly placed NATO Allies territories; a network of fight- on alert or scrambled to intercept civilian er air bases, command and control centres airliners for example when pilots lose radio and surveillance stations spans all Allies. communications with civilian Air Traffic All 30 Allies contribute to the collective AP Control or declare emergencies. 5 Strength through cooperation: Exercise Baltic Trident for Germany’s NATO Air Policing detachment of Air Policing 60 Years

German Eurofighters and U.S. Air Force F15s fly in formation behind a KC-135 tanker for exercise Baltic Trident. Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage

STORY BY GERMAN BALTIC AIR POLICING DETACHMENT PAO

German Air Force Eurofighters took Alert (QRA) had to take off multiple times 90 tons of fuel, these flying gas stations al- part in the multinational exercise to identify Russian aircraft in international low exercise participants to fly longer mis- Baltic Trident during their deploy- airspace. At the same time, daily training sions. Two of the four-engine jets based in ment to NATO’s enhanced Baltic Air scramble flights took place in which air RAF Mildenhall in operated out of Policing (NATO eBAP) mission. combat exercises were flown together with Ämari Air Base for Baltic Trident. Refueling Allied nations’ jets. flights also took off from Lithuania for the U.S. Air Force F-15 fighters and exercise participants in the Baltic airspace. fighter-bombers joined German Eu- "Even during the ongoing Covid-19 pan- rofighters deployed on NATO’s en- demic, multinational exercises like this Captain Aaron Hieronymus is an F-15 pi- hanced Baltic Air Policing (eBAP) remain extremely important for us," said lot and detachment commander of the ap- mission in Ämari. The F-15s departed Colonel Sören Richter, empha- proximately 40 soldiers of the 48th Fighter for missions together with KC-135 sizing the importance of working with Al- in Ämari. "For us, Baltic Trident is an tankers from the Estonian air base lies for the exercise Baltic Trident. “In per- opportunity to practice agile deployments from March 16 to 18 for exercise Bal- forming combined training with our Allies, to operational areas with a small footprint," tic Trident. Not only German and we can prepare for upcoming missions in said the American officer. “The corona pan- American aircraft took part - the Air the best possible way and thereby increase demic does not bring exercises with our Forces of , Lithuania, Great our interoperability.” The commander of NATO partners to a standstill. With our Britain, Finland and Estonia were the German detachment explained: “This participation in this exercise, we show that also involved. exercise offers our pilots a welcome oppor- we can find solutions even under difficult tunity to develop and improve their skills conditions in order to train together with Air Policing and training on combined missions with the American our allies in Europe and to improve our co- missions run in parallel F-15s. During the Baltic Trident exercise operation." week we mainly practiced aerial combat Winter conditions with snowfall, poor - maneuvers at short range." Air power through ibility and cold weather still dominate the interoperability weather in Estonia in mid-March. For this Air to air refueling as part of reason, mechanics and pilots need to be the exercise "If, as practiced in this exercise, we fly mis- especially alert, as the aircraft could be sions together with the U.S. Air Force and scrambled for missions at any time. Dur- Air refueling with the KC-135 tankers of the other partner nations, this gives us the op- ing the Baltic Trident exercise week, the 100th Air Refueling Wing was also part of the portunity to increase the effectiveness of German Eurofighters of the Quick Reaction exercise program. With a capacity for over all players involved,” 6 A formation of Finnish F-18s, US F-15s and KC-135 and German Eurofighters during Baltic Trident. Photo courtesy Finnish Air Force

Richter summarized. "For our pilots, these Since March 2004, with the beginning of blocks starting September 2020. While flights are the key to being successful in any NATO’s Baltic Air Policing, Šiauliai Air German Eurofighters launch from Ämari kind of deployment together with our alli- Base in Lithuania has been the main operat- Air Base, Italian aircraft of the same type ance partners." ing base for the mission and Lithuania has based in Šiauliai represent the mission’s hosted NATO fighter detachments consecu- lead nation. Even after the end of exercise Baltic Tri- tively. Beginning in 2014, Ämari Air Base in dent, the German Eurofighters will contin- Estonia was established as the second base Two aircraft with crews and technicians are ue to take off from the air force base west for Allied fighter detachments. At the time, on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a of the Estonian capital on training NATO introduced its assurance measures week in Ämari. During their missions - trig- missions and alarms in the Baltic airspace. and started its enhanced Air Policing mis- gered for example by a missing transponder Since September 2020, around 170 soldiers sion to demonstrate collective resolve and signal or a flight plan - the German fighter of Germany’s enhanced Baltic Air Policing the defensive nature of the Alliance. Since jets regularly identify and escort aircraft of Mission have been working to secure the 2014, NATO fighter jet detachments have the and naval forces. The airspace over the Baltic states of Estonia, continuously augmented the BAP mission Wing 74 will provide the Latvia and Lithuania. In the event of an under the enhanced Air Policing concept. Eurofighters and most of the personnel and alert from NATO, the armed jets must be The lead nation is based in Šiauliai, Lithu- material for the eBAP mission until the end in the air within a maximum of 15 minutes. ania while augmenting nations fly out of of April, before the Italian Air Force then Ämari, Estonia. takes over the mission. Air Policing as a peacetime mission Germany is currently providing its thir- teenth deployment to a NATO Air Policing The jets are on standby to be launched by block – and for the eighth time in the en- NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre hanced Air Policing role out of Ämari. Luft- (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany, in order to waffe Eurofighters have scrambled over safeguard the Baltic airspace and protect 25 times during the last two deployment territorial integrity.

A formation of Finnish F-18s, US F-15s and KC-135 and German Eurofighters during Baltic Trident. Photo courtesy Finnish Air Force

Takeoff of a Eurofighter to a mission for exercise Baltic Trident. Photo courtesy Bundeswehr / Sebastian Spindler

7 SHOWCASING ALLIED COHESION AND SOLIDARITY: NORWAY’S F-35 FIGHTERS ON NATO HIGH NORTH AIR POLICING MISSION of Air Policing 60 Years

STORY BY ALLIED AIR COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

NATO Air Policing has been a cor- tions Centres in Spain and Germany. Allied From March 2 to 23, 2021, the Royal Nor- nerstone of Alliance collective secu- Air Command also works with the Allied wegian Air Force conducted NATO's mis- rity for 60 years. The deployment of Air Forces to integrate modern aircraft like sion in Iceland with their F-35 fighter air- modern fighter aircraft like the F-35 the F-35 into NATO Air Power. Iceland is craft to patrol the skies over the Ally in the underscores how NATO Allies inte- one example of this. High North. grates innovative approaches to con- tinue safeguarding Alliance airspace. For the second time after 2020, the Norwe- The detachment personnel worked with the gian Air Force deployed their F-35 fighter Icelandic at Keflavik Air Base, NATO’s Allied Air Command oversees the aircraft to execute NATO’s mission in Ice- Iceland, and NATO’s Combined Air Opera- Air Policing mission for all European NATO land providing intercept capabilities for the tions Centre at Uedem, Germany. Allies through its two Combined Air Opera- Ally in the High North.

8 24/7 readiness

The deployment of the fighters and some 130 military and civilian personnel in- volved 24/7 readiness for the F-35 de- tachment under NATO's northern Com- bined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany; Norwegian Control and Re- porting Centre (CRC) personnel worked alongside their col- leagues in the CRC at Keflavik Air Base. Norway has manned the mission in 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2016 with their F-16 fight- er aircraft; 2020 was the first deployment of Norwegian F-35s.

NATO member Iceland ensures con- stant air surveillance within NATO’s In- tegrated Air and Missile Defence System including production of the Recognised Air Picture for the airspace over Iceland and the North Atlantic. However, the Ally does not have its own military capabilities to conduct Air Policing. Therefore, since mid-2008 the Alliance has provided peri- odic peacetime deployments of fighter as- sets to meet Iceland’s operational needs. Peacetime deployment to demonstrate cohesion

Since the beginning of the NATO mission ten Allies (, the , , , Germany, Italy, Nor- way, , the United Kingdom and the ) have manned the regu- lar peacetime deployment showcasing Allied cohesion and solidarity as well as deterrence and defence under the NATO banner.

During this 60th year of NATO Air Polic- ing, the integration of fifth generation fighter aircraft highlights the Allies’ new capabilities available to the collective de- fence mission ensuring state-of-the-art protection of all Allies.

9 The Joint Logistics Support Group Headquarters in JLSG Brunssum reached IOC

Some historical background

The JLSG concept was initially devel- oped into a capability in 2013. In the framework of the NATO Command Structure Adaptation, JFC Brunssum and JFC took over this capability and, in 2015, took the JLSG HQ under their command. At that time, the JLSG HQ was only comprised of a small per- manent staff presence. When fully acti- vated and deployed, with additional aug- mentees, the HQ would consist of about 100 personnel in total. However, this method was considered unsustainable as it was very complex and challenging. Consequently, a Defence Ministerial de- cision in February 2018 established two permanent NATO Command Structure JLSG HQs, respectively in Brunssum and Naples, followed by a legal activa- tion as International Military Headquar- ters (IMHQ) in May 2020.

STORY BY JLSG PAO Whilst the circumstances do not allow for of the multinational logistic requirements of command. It marked an important step an adequate celebration, in the midst of the across Land, Sea and Air domains proved to in unlocking other activities on the road to COVID pandemic and the many challenges be a complex task. The JLSG HQ provides proving the JLSGBS HQ’s capability as an it has presented, the Joint Logistics Sup- a capability to coordinate logistic opera- in-theatre Logistics Command Headquar- port Group Headquarters (JLSGBS HQ) tions, enabling effective, efficient and opti- ters. An inauguration ceremony was held in Brunssum is proud to announce that it mal support to the troops in theatre. These the 8th of July 2020 to celebrate this event has reached Initial Operational Capability identified roles of the JLSGs mean that they in the presence of the Commander of Allied (IOC). are one of the first elements to enter a cri- Joint Force Command Brunssum, General sis and one of the last elements to leave. In Jörg Vollmer. A new NATO Logistics HQ at short, the JLSGs are a critical element for Brunssum the projection of forces into a theatre un- As part of the NATO Command Structure der NATO’s Readiness Action Plan concept, Adaptation, in line with Military Commit- JLSGBS HQ is one of the new two recent- which stipulates a swift delivery of forces tee direction, a phased approach with dif- ly created in-theatre Logistics Command into an area of tension and their sustain- ferent milestones was set out to achieve this Headquarters within the NATO Command ment on the ground. capability, with a projected view that JLSG Structure. This new HQ is co-located with will achieve Initial Operating Capability the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum Getting started (IOC) in April 2021 and Full Operating Ca- (JFCBS) at Hendrik Camp in Brunssum. pability (FOC) in January 2023. The JLSG HQ in Brunssum and its sister The 29th of May 2020 was a pivotal date in HQ in Naples were created in response to the establishment of JLSGBS HQ. Both the The road to IOC NATO’s critical requirement for enablers. JLSG HQs in Brunssum and Naples were le- In all NATO operations, the support of the gally activated as an international Military The activation marked the beginning of an multinational forces and the coordination Headquarters within the NATO ACO chain influx of permanent staff into the JLSGBS

10 HQ from currently 14 NATO nations. The regarding the Support provided by JFCBS mander to ensure the success of the mis- goal is to create a Peacetime Establishment to JLSGBS HQ. Until 2022, when the new sion. (PE) of 77 specialists, ready to support JLSGBS HQ building dedicated will be fin- NATO and JFCBS in particular, with the ished, JFCBS kindly offers JLSGBS HQ a Once the decision is taken to deploy JLSG- optimal support to any campaign. Based coherent working space to grow and train BS HQ into the Joint Operations Area, on information received from the Nations, the team. whether in peacetime or in response to a JLSGBS HQ will reach a 65% fill rate of the crisis, the JLSGBS HQ will plan, coordinate JLSGBS PE posts by summer 2021. JLSGBS Eyes on the future and execute three key processes. Firstly, HQ faced practical challenges caused by the the management of the Reception, Staging restrictions due to COVID 19 in many areas, JLSGBS HQ will continue to grow. Af- and Onward Movement (RSOM) of NATO like the restrictions on training, both collec- ter reaching Initial Operating Capability forces – a process which uses Land, Sea tive and individual. Despite all this, JLSG- (IOC), now the focus is firmly on the road and Air assets to move personnel, vehicles BS HQ managed to work on its internal to readiness for Full Operating Capability and equipment from arrival at Sea or Air development in all domains and facilitate (FOC) in January 2023 and on preparing Ports and Land Points of Debarkation to a in-house training for the staff. During the for its standby commitments. JLSGBS HQ location as determined by the mission plan. third week of March, the entire HQ gath- is awaiting the arrival of even more staff Secondly, the JLSGBS HQ will facilitate the ered in Castlegate, Germany, for Academics as well as looking forward to the inaugura- provision of a consistent flow of sustain- Training. This week of intensive conceptual tion of the new JLSGBS HQ building. In the ment to ensure that the deployed forces and individual training consisted of brief- coming months, the HQ will participate in receive timely and sufficient quantities of ings and syndicate work about the context the exercise STJU 21, achieving the capa- required commodities - this is critical to within which the JLSGBS HQ operates, bility for perpetual readiness. While at the meet the mission objectives. Finally, the specifically focused on both exercise STJU same time, fully supporting NRF in 2021 Rearward Movement, Staging and Dispatch 21 and NRF 22, in which JLSGBS HQ is set (JLSGHQ NP-lead) and preparing for its (RMSD) will typically signify the conclu- to participate. In addition, the week began role in NRF 2022 as the in-theatre logistics sion of the JLSGBS HQ’s responsibilities in with a deployability check for all personnel Commander. theatre as the Combined Joint Task Force to evaluate their readiness. The outcome withdraws force elements from the Theatre of the different sessions will support the More about JLSG HQ mission of Operations, but this too must be carefully development of the Procedural Training and responsibilities coordinated to ensure a smooth return. The Roadmap (PTR), supporting the JLSGBS JLSGBS HQ is an agile, assured support HQs development through FOC and to re- JLSGBS HQ performs a critical role in sup- enabler, trained and prepared to carry out evaluation and certification in 2023. port of NATO’s three Core Tasks of: Crisis its mission rapidly, in any given situation. Management, Collective Defence and Co- Additionally, as JFCBS remains the main operative Security. The coordination of of- custodian for support at Hendrik Camp in ten complex multinational logistic require- Brunssum, the 9th of March 2021, a Note ments across Land, Sea and Air domains is of Mutual Understanding was concluded a critical enabler to the Joint Force Com-

11 GRIFFIN LIGHTNING 21: EXECUTING SUCCESSFUL TRAINING IN THE AGE OF COVID GRIFFIN LIGHTNING 21

STORY BY MAJOR PRISCILLA JEWELL, J7 EXERCISE TEAM LEAD IN HQ MNCNE, SZCZECIN, POLAND

Reduced manning in both exercise within the confines of COVID-19 restric- that the Headquarters could be flexible in control and training audiences create tions and the varying health caveats of its use of resources and creatively agile in unique challenges to the planning and NATO member states. As the prepara- its adjustments to constantly changing cir- execution of NATO exercises. This tory training event to its combat readiness cumstances. was especially true for Headquarters evaluation (CREVAL), Griffin Lightning 21 Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ command post exercise (CPX) provided Planning MNC NE) and its major Command MNC NE staffs and subordinate units a set- Post Exercise Griffin Lightning 21. ting in which its pre-Article 5 deterrence As the first line of NATO defence in the Conducted on March 1-12, 2021, the policies and procedures could be effectively Baltic Sea Region, MNC NE’s role as the two-week training event produced practiced and evaluated despite the often Regional Land Component Command is actionable lessons learned and new constricting confines of COVID precau- an important one. It was therefore impera- experiences in conducting exercises tions. tive that the Headquarters conduct an ex- in the age of COVID-19. ercise which provided a setting to enhance Helmed by the Deputy Commander MNC command and control of subordinate Exercise Griffin Lightning 2021 was Head- NE, Ulrich Hellebjerg units while implementing and refining its quarters Multinational Corps Northeast’s (DNK), and conducted at the Joint Force warfighting policies and procedures. (MNC NE) first opportunity to plan, re- Training Center (JFTC) in Bydgoszcz, Po- source, and execute a major joint exercise land, exercise Griffin Lightning 21 proved

12 Doctrinal methods of exercise planning, staff and civilian personnel were responsi- ing at the outcome and training benefit for support, and execution had to be adjusted ble for real life support and the computer this Headquarters and its main subordinate to meet COVID-19 restrictions. Planning simulation of Griffin Lightning 21. They units, it becomes obvious that the invest- conferences which are usually attended in helped ensure the health, safety, morale, ment of resources was needed and highly person over the course of several days for and welfare of exercise participants. Fur- beneficial. Team effort, flexibility, and the example, were conducted via video telecon- ther, the use of JFTC exercise facilities will to provide a training opportunity de- ferencing, emails, and telephonic com- along with the support of contracted per- spite obstacles ensured that conditions munication. Exercise Control (EXCON) sonnel aided in the delivery and execution were set for the upcoming certification of elements and training audiences were of the exercise. the Regional Land Component Command.” reduced to a minimum to meet social dis- Reductions in EXCON manning and train- tancing constraints and limit exposure to Challenges ing audience participation were but a few exercise participants and JFTC personnel. of the inhibiting factors in the success- Despite the numerous mitigation measures Exercise design and floor plan layouts were ful delivery of Griffin Lightning 21. Social taken prior to the start of the exercise, Lieu- also reconfigured to adhere to health and distancing recommendations also limited tenant Colonel Claudius Manzetti (DEU), safety measures set by Polish government JFTC facility utilization. Space restric- Chief Exercise Planner, was still met with officials, Commander MNC NE, and Com- tions and a minimized EXCON could have the asymmetrical challenges of executing mander JFTC. greatly affected the quality of training and an exercise in a constantly changing and diminished the training audience’s ability increasingly restrictive COVID-19 environ- Although the robust support typical of pre- to conduct assessments and synchroniza- ment. Set against the backdrop of Poland COVID NATO exercises could not be fa- tion meetings; however, focused reconfigu- and Baltic member states (Lithuania, Lat- cilitated for Griffin Lightning 21, HQ MNC rations of battle rhythm events minimized via, and Estonia), Exercise Griffin Light- NE relied heavily on the professionalism, conflicts and a wider approach to commu- ning 21 planners and EXCON elements ad- expertise, and dedicated assistance of the nication increased the Headquarters’ abil- ministered a dynamic exercise that forced Joint Forces Training Center. “We set up a ity to disseminate information and reports the training audience to reinforce and, large ‘tent city’ in the JFTC expeditionary both internally and externally. where necessary, improve mechanisms of training area to accommodate all troops monitoring, reporting, and reacting to vari- involved in the exercise in proper opera- Downsizing Exercise Griffin Lightning 21 to ous pre-Article 5 deterrence contingencies. tional conditions and in line with the strict a “bare bones” training event due to COV- “To plan an exercise with the new focus on sanitary regime related to the pandemic,” ID-19 meant that subject matter experts pre-Article 5 deterrence settings, hampered said Lieutenant Colonel Dariusz Korpalski in the EXCON had to meet the challenges by COVID impacts and following a com- (POL), JFTC Deputy OPR for Griffin Light- of constantly evolving exercise conditions. pressed timeline was a huge and demand- ning 21. Additionally, the Center’s military Despite the difficulties, COVID-19 restric- ing challenge,” stated LTC Manzetti, “Look- 13 tions provided HQ MNC NE with sponta- event. Subject matter experts, though lim- The Takeaway neous opportunities to examine the effec- ited, were able to infuse exercise scenarios tiveness of hybrid communication nodes, with the complexity required to stimulate Headquarters around the NATO communi- information dissemination, and command the training audience’s crisis reaction and ty have been affected by the COVID-19 en- and control methodologies. In this regard, operational feedback. vironment. But these often difficult circum- MNC NE staff and subordinate units were stances have presented opportunities to able to find and close gaps in communica- In cases where COVID-19 restrictions pro- explore alternate methods of planning and tion and establish refined mechanisms of hibited or altered the physical participa- delivery of important exercises and training information flow and facility utilization. tion of subject matter experts within the events. “Regardless of the circumstances, It was of particular importance that these confines of the JFTC, commands continued we must be ready to fulfil our tasks, and challenges had served as an opportunity their support to MNC NE remotely. Exter- training is our foundation,” stated Lieu- to increase planning and decision-making nal support to the exercise brought the add- tenant General Sławomir Wojciechowski skills across the Corps, including the Multi- ed benefit of stress testing HQ MNC NE’s (POL), Commander MNC NE, “It helps us national Divisions – North East and North modes of reporting, command and control remain adaptable and open-minded.” Al- – and NATO Force Integration Units. “As and operational procedures. The concerted though the initial planning of Exercise Grif- a team we have made a huge step forward assistance of external Commands ensures fin Lightning 21 came replete with many to enhance our operational readiness as the that HQ MNC NE is ready for its mission obstacles, they created kinetic opportuni- NATO Regional Land Component Com- validation as the Regional Land Component ties for HQ MNC NE to test its communica- mand for the Baltic Sea Region,” said Briga- Command in Exercise Steadfast Jupiter 21. tions and command and control systems in dier General David Womack (USA), Deputy dynamic conditions. Chief of Staff Operations MNC NE. Refined Methods of Exercise Delivery There is no way to know how long COVID-19 Overcoming Obstacles will affect nations around the world. Exer- The use of standard, and in some cases, cise Griffin Lightning 21, however proves No exercise is complete without the assis- creative hybrid modes of assessing and re- that with creative problem solving, flexible tance of external participants. From Higher porting minimized potential COVID expo- planning, and organizational resilience, Control, to Lower Control, to Flank Control sure and maximized interoperability and training can still be maximized to meet ob- units, and augmentees, Exercise Griffin synchronization of effort. Various mediums jectives and upgrade unit procedures in the Lightning 21 was privileged to have the as- of remote communication combined with COVID-19 environment. Hybrid commu- sistance and support of multiple commands small scale in person meetings using FFP2 nications, disciplined use of JFTC exercise and national defense forces throughout the masks delivered a successful learning expe- facilities, and exercise participants eager NATO community. “External exercise par- rience for all exercise participants and sup- to train and adhere to COVID restrictions ticipants were critical to the successful exe- porting units. all aided MNC NE’s ability to successfully cution of Griffin Lightning 21,” emphasized refine and improve its operational systems Colonel Michael Thoegersen, Assistant Adjusting means and methods of training and capabilities. Executing Exercise Griffin Chief of Staff J7 Division, “The numerous delivery maximized productivity and elimi- Lightning 21 during COVID created a dif- commands who assisted MNC NE, despite nated deviations from exercise and training ficult, but worthwhile opportunity for HQ the COVID environment, allowed the Head- objectives. “It is important to underline that MNC NE to improve itself as an agile, mis- quarters the framework needed to exercise Griffin Lightning 21 is not a test but a learn- sion ready NATO headquarters. “If need its up-and-out and down-and-in command ing opportunity,” pointed out MG Ulrich be, we will again demonstrate the resolve and control modules. Their participation, Hellebjerg, the Corps’ Deputy Commander to work successfully against all odds,” con- expertise, and willingness to train in dif- and Exercise Director. Griffin Lightning 21 cluded the Commander. ficult conditions will no doubt contribute participants proved that being open to new greatly to MNC NE’s ability to successfully ways of thinking, alternative methods of About the author: execute our mission and the CREVAL later communication, and flexible problem solv- in the year.” ing was fundamental to meeting the Com- MAJ Priscilla Jewell is a US Army Engi- mander’s intent while safeguarding the neer Officer who serves as a J7 Exercise External participants enriched the script- health of exercise participants and JFTC Team Lead in HQ Multinational Corps, ing of the exercise prior to its execution personnel. Northeast, Szczecin, Poland and developed dynamic injects during the

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STORY BY CAPTAIN STEFAN GIERKE, EFP BG LITHUANIA PAO

NATO has enhanced its presence in near the city of , the Battlegroup medical training and logistical support, as the Eastern part of the Alliance, with represents cooperation and strength of part of a joint battle training week. Togeth- four multinational Battlegroups in eight Allies. Germany is the framework na- er they demonstrate the high level of train- Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Po- tion with contributions from Belgium, The ing the Battlegroup has already achieved. land. These battlegroups, led by the Czech Republic, Iceland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany Norway and . All those Al- Moving into the staging and the United States respectively, lies are operating and training with Lithu- positions anian forces. A joint field training exercise are multinational, and combat-ready. Just in time for the start of the field training in Gaižiūnai prepared the eFP Battlegroup They are demonstrating the strength exercise, the coming spring weather creates Lithuania for the exercises Crystal Arrow in of the transatlantic bond. Their pres- difficult terrain conditions on the practice Latvia and Eager leopard in Lithuania. ence makes clear that an attack on area in Gaižiūnai. The skills of the drivers one Ally will be considered an attack After the individual and national prepara- are challenged by the muddy terrain. They on the whole Alliance. NATO’s bat- tions on the main weapon systems and the ensure that the armored tracks do not slip tlegroups form part of the biggest equipment of the soldiers in the past few off the drive sprocket when cornering in reinforcement of NATO’s collective weeks, the enhanced Forward Presence soft ground or that the wheeled vehicles defence in a generation. Battlegroup Lithuania carried out the first get stuck in mud and sand. The units of the multinational combat training. Side by Battlegroup move to their staging areas in Around 1200 soldiers make up the multi- side, Dutch, Belgian and German members the morning and begin the prepared train- national enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) of the 9th Rotation paved the way for further ing phases. Battlegroup Lithuania. Based in Rukla, training and exercise projects, including

16 First aid to wounded in combat in order to be able to continue their opera- GTK boxers and dismounted infantry. The tions afterwards. With this training , soldiers and their combat vehicles were “The soldiers rely on medical care from us the Battlegroup has also proven its perse- equipped with the AGDUS combat simula- in combat. But medical care begins before verance in the field. tion system, which significantly increases we even get to the site, ”says Sergeant Ma- the realism of the exercise. jor Schneider. He is an emergency para- Multinational combat training medic on the GTK Boxer armoured vehicle and trains members of the Battlegroup in The interplay of all forces on a joint mis- Mechanized infantry in first aid. “We are dependent on the inter- sion, here in the tactical activity of delay- alternation of the fighting style ing an attacking enemy, is the supreme action of the skills of the first aiders in the During the counterattack by the German discipline of the multinational Battlegroup companies, our paramedics and the mate- and Belgian companies, the Panzergrena- in Lithuania. In addition to German units, rial available to us,” Schneider continues. diers (German mechanized infantry) en- combat and support forces from four other "Together with the first responders of the countered enemy barriers and were forced NATO Allies are the core of the Battlegroup. armoured infantry platoons, we practiced to dismount against a weak enemy secu- “The joint approach in the mission requires the rescue of the wounded, their first medi- rity. According to Sergeant Domning, "the constant training by the national combat cal care and then the transport to the res- change of fighting style in combat requires groups on the one hand, but also getting cue station by the rescue team." The rescue a high degree of coordination by the pla- to know the skills of the partner units and teams of the paramedics are equipped with toon leader and the squad leaders as well as training in a multinational environment,'' the GTK Boxer. They follow the force in a high level of discipline, operational readi- says Lieutenant Colonel Hebisch, com- combat and support them by taking over ness and combat strength of every soldier mander of the enhanced Forward Presence the wounded and injured soldiers. involved." Domning is the deputy platoon Battlegroup Lithuania. The combat training leader of the A platoon of the German 1st during the Field Training Exercise includ- Field refuelling of the first Company. "In order to maintain the abil- ed, among other things, reconnaissance company ity of our platoon for this form of combat and ultimately the multinational counter- management, the individual abilities of the “The company's Leopard battle tanks and attack of armoured forces against an enemy soldiers on our platoon as well as the joint armoured personnel carriers Marder devel- who had been left in the attack in a weak approach of the sub-unit must be constant- op their full power only through the com- provisional security. bination of firepower and movement. In ly trained." order to ensure the logistical supply of the unit in action, the company supply point is Simultaneous training In this sense, the Field Training Exercise was an optimal preparation for the upcom- set up and operated in cooperation with the The exercises are prepared multinational ing multinational combat exercises Crys- staff and supply company, ”says Captain B. and enable the principles of delay and coun- tal Arrow in Latvia and Eager Leopard in He is the company operations officer of the terattack to be trained at the same time. st Pabrade. German 1 Company in Rukla and respon- During their counterattack with Leopard sible for organizing supplies to his compa- tanks and armoured personnel carriers ny in action. All soldiers drive through the Marder, the German and Belgian armoured supply circuit with their combat vehicles, forces encountered Dutch security with pick up fuel, ammunition, food and water

17 Exercise WINTER CAMP - eFP Training in harsh winter conditions

STORY BY BJORN MALMQUIST, SO1 STRATCOM ADVISOR, EFP BG ESTONIA. PICTURE CREDITS: EFP BG ESTONIA PAO.

It was a bitterly cold and sunny day in early February, when Colonel Jim Hadfield, NATO´s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup in Estonia stepped out of his vehicle near a tree line in the Central Training Area (CTA) near Tapa.

Combat credibility

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Hadfield had come out to the training area to monitor exercise Winter Camp; an annual exercise that fo- cuses on the interoperability between the UK-led NATO Battlegroup and the Estonian Scouts , which belongs to the 1st Infantry of the Estonian . Back in the UK Lt Col Hadfield commands the 5th Battalion (5 RIFLES) which makes up the largest part of the NATO Battlegroup deployed to Estonia.

On this cold day in February, his troops, including the Challenger crews from D Queen’s Royal Hussars, were conducting specific exercises during Winter Camp. For Lt Col Hadfield, the purpose of this exercise is clear.

“A big part of our training here as the NATO Battlegroup is being combat credible,” says Lt Col Hadfield. “For me, combat credibility is a function of three things; our integration into the Estonian national Estonian infantry and Challenger tanks from the UK-led NATO defence plan, our ability to operate together with our Estonian col- battlegroup in action during exercise WINTER CAMP. leagues and last - but certainly not least - it's about our ability to sol- dier in this very demanding environment that is the Estonian winter.”

“One of the coldest exercises I have done - you’ve got to push through!”

It was certainly demanding; Estonia was in the grips of a deep win- ter; covered by deep snow, overnight temperatures dropped at times down to nearly -30 degrees in the Central Training Area, and the windchill only added to the harsh conditions.

Lt Col Hadfield and Lt Coll Eero Aija, About to take the plunge: One part of the Cold Weather Operator's 18 Commander of the . Course was to practise surviving exposure to ice-cold water. “This is by far the coldest exercise I have “This absolutely qualifies as a that foundational baseline bit of training to done,” says Cameron Dixon of D challenge” make sure that we can build upon that and Squadron, commander of one of the Chal- be as good a team as we can be.” lenger tanks on the CTA. “You’ve got to Meanwhile, at another location on the CTA, keep warm, eat hot food and move about Over three days, the troops learnt how to the infantry companies of 5 RIFLES honed while maintaining the tanks. You’ve got to survive with minimal equipment in cold their fighting skills in dense snowy forestry keep layered up too and it can be quite tight and harsh conditions, building shelters, with a combination of dismounted close inside the tank with body armour on, but cooking food and surviving jumping into combat live and blank fire tactical training. you’ve got to push through.” ice cold lakes.

“We all joined the infantry for a challenge, Even though the cold conditions were a Making sure that readiness and and this absolutely qualifies as one," says challenge, they also presented some valua- capability is available at all Major Rob Fellows, Officer Commanding ble opportunities. “We´ve learnt quite a lot times and in all conditions of A Company, 5 RIFLES, having just led from the ,” says Lance his troops in a simulated attack. "Although Tom Lear, from D Squadron. “Obviously, “The training culminates with this, which I have operated in cold conditions before, they are a lot more used to working, living is the water immersion or ice-breaking se- including in an Afghan winter and done at- and fighting in this kind of environment, rial,” says Sergeant Jimmy tacks with snow on the ground in the UK, and we have benefited immensely from Keenan, one of the trainers in this course. I have never operated in winter conditions their experience during Winter Camp.” “This is where we expect the soldiers to as challenging as this, where the snow is come forward, go through the ice, come as deep as it is, and where the climate is as Learning from each other out, go back to their tents and re-warm with unforgiving. Therefore, leading a company nothing more than the equipment they’ve through a week of high-intensity training got in their bergens. It just goes to reinforce The two-week long exercise also gave the in those conditions is really rewarding. We to them that they can operate in any envi- Estonian troops the opportunity to learn just ended on a high of a successful com- ronment and particularly in the winter, out new things, says Lieutenant Colonel Eero pany attack. I think the company is really in the Baltics, when things get really tough, Aija, Commander of the Scouts Battalion. buzzing from that and we´ll all go back to using only the clothing and equipment “During Winter Camp, the Estonian com- camp with a real sense of achievement." pany had the opportunity to they’ve got.” lead the British tank troops under their Learning to soldier - and to command in order to conduct offensive op- survive - in cold conditions. Having completed the Cold Weather Oper- erations. So obviously this is only for train- ator’s Course, every member of the Battle- ing purposes, we are not expecting to have group was ready to take on the conditions Working in these harsh conditions is a new those tanks all the time for us, but it gives that the Estonian winter presented during experience for many of the soldiers within our commanders a very good opportunity exercise Winter Camp, says Lt Col Hadfield. the NATO Battlegroup, so during January, to understand how the tanks work and how every soldier and officer - including Lt Col to use them for their benefits.” “We are ready and capable now and have Hadfield - went through special training, been for some time. What we´re doing now the “Cold Weather Operator's Course”, to For Lt Col Aija, the weather conditions is just making sure that this readiness and prepare for Winter Camp. were a bonus. “I think we are very lucky this capability is available at all times and in all winter. We actually have lots of snow, we conditions. These conditions are extremely “The cold weather operator’s course is really have temperatures, down to minus 20. So hard to soldier in, and it's absolutely ap- the vehicle that gets us ready to be combat it really challenges, not only I think the eFP propriate that we test ourselves as aggres- credible in these kinds of conditions,” ex- Battlegroup, but ourselves as well. They are sively as we can, and we are certainly lucky plains Lt Col Hadfield. “You know, as Brit- very harsh conditions for the soldiers to to have such an amazing training area on ish soldiers we don’t often soldier in -20 de- work in, to conduct military operations, but our doorstep, to be able to do that. grees Celsius or this kind of depth of snow. I see that the eFP Battlegroup is very well So, from a Battlegroup commander´s per- It presents equipment challenges, clothing trained for that.” spective, do I feel we are ready and pre- challenges, as well as different tactics, and pared? Absolutely.” the cold weather operators course provides

During Winter Camp, the infantry companies of 5 Rifles During the Cold Weather Operator's Course, soldiers had to honed their fighting skills in dense snowy forestry, gaining build shelter and brave the freezing temperatures. valuable experience in winter warfare. 19 HOW TO PROTECT THE ARMED FORCES

STRATEGIC STRATEGIC IN THE DIGITAL DOMAIN? COMMUNICATIONS

STORY BY NATO STRATCOM COE

The digital environment is an in- for military operations. ysis of social media posts, online imperson- creasingly important dimension of ation and social engineering, IoT-generated the contemporary battlespace. While Both states and non-state actors are in- data, etc. there has been a focus on cyber- creasingly able to access, collect, process, threats and systemic resilience, less and There is no doubt that state, non-state, and attention has been paid to challeng- hybrid actors will continue their malicious es arising from the malicious use of disseminate digital information that can use of openly available digital information be used to: geolocate military units, reveal digital information and digital infrastruc- regarding military organisations. capabilities and future intents of military ture in support of both kinetic and non-ki- units and facilitate influence activities. netic operations in near-horizon conflicts. Malign or subversive actions on The main channels will likely remain social Social Media Informed risk management media and mobile devices, due to their ver- satility and ubiquity—features that greatly An adversary does not need significant re- The ability to identify and assess potential enhance their appeal for intelligence col- sources or advanced cyber capabilities to threats, risks, and vulnerabilities related to lection, military operations, covert actions, pose a threat in the digital domain, when force protection in the digital domain is al- and clandestine signalling. Adversaries social media and digital technologies are ready critical for mission success and will turning these capabilities into effective easily accessible, providing information and continue to be so in the foreseeable future. weapons in the digital domain present a infrastructure that can be exploited by any- While risk elimination is not possible in major challenge to NATO, its Allies, and one with access to a computer and an inter- most conflicts and scenarios, informed risk Partner nations today and in the future. net connection. For example, open-source management can greatly improve a com- methods can be used to geolocate military mander’s ability to keep critical assets safe. units, Social Media can be used to augment influence activities, and social data can be Malicious use of digital information poses a scraped for valuable intelligence. threat to armed forces by potentially com- promising the confidentiality of informa- The methods and infrastructure used to tion concerning geolocation, capabilities, target individual soldiers can also be used tactics, and the future intent of friendly on a forces, or enabling and supporting an ad- versary’s influence activities. strategic level to undermine decision-mak- ing processes within NATO or individual Digital information can be maliciously used Alliance by an adversary to collect intelligence re- garding capacity and intent, and to degrade member states, or to attack public support the capability of NATO forces through anal-

20 Force protection in the digital Adopting new mind-sets and domain implementing new activities About the NATO Strategic These increasing risks and vulnerabilities Countering the malicious use of digital in- Communications Centre of mean that a practical guide created from a formation is not simple, nor is it straight- force protection perspective is needed as forward. Armed forces and military or- Excellence: the armed forces develop their ability to ganisations need to adopt new mind-sets as counter well as implementing a variety of activities to sufficiently safeguard against threats to The NATO Strategic Communications the malicious use of digital information. force protection in the digital space. The Nato StratCom COE has created such a following four key points are critical. Centre of Excellence is multi-nation- framework. This framework should not ally constituted and NATO-accredited be seen as a step-by-step procedure, but First, removing mobile phones and other should be seen as a general personal digital devices is critical for Oper- international , checklist that identifies areas commanders ational Security in many contexts. Remov- need to consider in order to ensure force ing such devices, however, is not a complete which is not part of the NATO Com- protection against the malicious use of digi- remedy for the complex threats now inher- mand Structure, nor subordinate to tal information. ent to the digital domain. any other NATO entity. As such the The framework for countering malicious Second, red-teaming threats in the infor- Centre does not therefore speak for use of digital information is divided into mation environment is essential for identi- three fying risks and vulnerabilities at all levels— NATO. tactical, operational, and strategic. Given

The NATO StratCom COE, based in , Latvia, contributes to improved strategic communications capabilities within the Alliance and Allied nations. Strategic communication is an inte- gral part of the efforts to achieve the Alliance’s political and military objec- tives, thus it is increasingly important that the Alliance communicates in an appropriate, timely, accurate and re- sponsive manner on its evolving roles, objectives and missions.

Mission of the Centre is to provide a tangible contribution to the strategic communications capabilities of NATO, NATO allies and NATO partners. Its Parts. First step is assessment: a thorough their evolving nature, commanders need baseline analysis is the first step for any to continuously develop their understand- strength is built by multinational and contingency planning. Any organisation ing of how such threats relate to their com- cross-sector participants from the ci- must assess the risks and vulnerabilities as- mand. sociated vilian and military, and aca- with the malicious use of digital informa- Third, training concerning the malicious tion as a prerequisite for further activities. use of digital information should routinely demic sectors and usage of modern be incorporated into military exercises, be- technologies, virtual tools for analyses, Second step is prevention: pre-emptive cause this issue has tactical, operational, measures should be implemented to and strategic implications for any contem- research and decision making. The strengthen an organisation’s capacity to porary and future military operation. heart of the NATO StratCom COE is a identify and manage the malicious use of digital information, and to deter or disrupt Fourth, the ability to identify and counter diverse group of international experts an adversary. hostile activities needs to be developed to with military, government and aca- support tactical and operational levels as Third step is defence: defensive actions, well. demic backgrounds - trainers, educa- such as focused efforts to identify and coun- ter digital disinformation, must be taken in You can access the framework for armed tors, analysts and researchers. order to protect from the organisation force protection in the digital domain here: from attack in the digital domain. www.stratcomcoe.org/ Source: camouflage-digital-domain https://www.stratcomcoe.org/about-us

21 HONORING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2021 HQ AT JFC BRUNSSUM

STORY BY JFCBS PAO On Monday 8th March, Allied stressed the role and importance Headquarters Joint Force Com- of women to NATO and, in par- mand Brunssum (JFCBS) hosted ticular, to JFCBS. Four female a virtual conference to highlight speakers, two from JFCBS and two the 2021 International Women’s joining externally online, shared Day. JFCBS embraces gender per- their insight and experience with spectives and focuses on gender the audience. equality and the empowerment of women, emphasising the inclusion This year, the United Nations chose the of women in conflict resolution theme ‘Women in leadership: Achieving and peace processes. The event an equal future in a COVID-19 world”,

22 ‘which focuses on women and girls’ Colonel Irena Dzisiewska, also serving at The event’s keynote speaker was Ms efforts in creating an equal future and JFCBS, is a member of the Clare Hutchinson, NATO Secretary recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic Corps of . During her General’s Special Representative for and highlights the gaps that remain. speech she offered an insight into how Women, Peace, and Security. Drawing those in a position of leadership can best upon the chosen theme, Ms Hutchinson General Jörg Vollmer, Commander draw upon the skills and abilities of the emphasized that: “Gender equality is JFCBS, opened the event highlighting: women. not optional, it is fundamental to the “Today is a special day. We have come a continued success of operations. Main- long way with gender perspectives and She highlighted that treating your per- streaming and gender integration is key today is a day to honour what has been sonnel as individuals and not specifically for the future.” She also highlighted that achieved. Today is also important for us as a man or woman, can draw the best we should not be lowering standards to learn what else can be done to make out of them. for women among the armed forces but, things better. There is always room for rather, bringing women up to meet those improvement.” Joining virtually from Belgium, Major standards. General (Rtd.) Lutgardis Claes, offered The conference began with an address her experience as a female having en- To fully embrace NATO’s overall com- by Major Justyna Balik of the Polish tered the Belgian Air Force shortly after prehensive security strategy, which in- Army, who is serving at JFCBS. She it opened up to women in 1978. She was corporates all viewpoints, JFCBS places drew upon her personal experiences able to draw upon her vast experience a strong emphasis on gender equality, as a female soldier offering the advice to offer a unique insight into the specific equal opportunities for women, diver- to: “find your own career path and be challenges faced by women who choose sity, and women’s empowerment. yourself.” to pursue a military career.

23

VISITS AND ACTIVITIES NOVEMBER 2020 - MARCH 2021

27 NOVEMBER 2020 EXERCISE BRILLIANT BONUS PUTS JFCBS_ OPERATIONAL CAPACITY TO THE TEST

Allied Joint Force Command Headquarters Brunssum (JFCBS) has been taking part in the Command Post Exercise Brilliant Bonus 20 (BRBO20). This exercise was designed to test the operational capacity of JFCBS in the lead up to a possible Article 5 crisis, and to continue defining and overcoming the challenges that could be faced in a real life situation of comparable magnitude.

8 DECEMBER 2020 NATO RESPONSE FORCE 2020 CLOSURE EVENT

General Jörg Vollmer, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS), hosted a virtual NRF20 Closure Event on 8th December 2020. JFC Brunssum assumed standby command responsibility from JFC Naples (JFCNP) for NRF20 on 1st January 2020. The NRF standby command task rotates annually between JFCBS and JFCNP on the 1st January each year. Throughout the year, it is responsible to ensure forces comprising the standby NRF are kept at high levels of readiness.

8 & 9 FEBRUARY 2021 JFC BRUNSSUM CONDUCTS OUTREACH EVENT WITH UZBEKISTAN

On the 8th and 9th of February, JFC Brunssum personnel gave a series of lessons, via video-teleconference, on the subject of Communication and Information Services (CIS) to the of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan. Ten enthusiastic students received briefings from Subject Matter Experts on topics such as NATO’s CIS Processes, NATO’s CIS Services and Federated Mission Networking.

24 FEBRUARY 2021 COMMANDER JOINT FORCE COMMAND VISITS BRUNSSUM

On Wednesday 24th February, General Jörg Vollmer welcomed Vice Andrew Lewis, Commander Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF). This is Lewis’ first visit to JFCBS since General Vollmer took Command in April 2020. This visit highlights that despite these challenging times, a strong relationship continues to be cultivated between the two Commanders and their staff in support of NATO missions.

3 MARCH 2021 ESTONIAN COMMANDER OF DEFENCE FORCES VISITS BRUNSSUM

On Wednesday 3rd March General Vollmer, Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS), welcomed the Estonian Commander of Defence Forces, Major General Martin Herem.

This visit solidifies the importance of continued dialogue and co-operation with all NATO members, particularly those within the JFCBS area of responsibility.

24

4 MARCH 2021 ROMANIAN CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF VISITS BRUNSSUM

On Thursday 4th March, the Romanian Chief of Defence, Daniel Petrescu, paid a visit to Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS). He was welcomed by JFCBS Commander, General Jörg Vollmer. The visit was originally scheduled for November 2020 but had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

5 MARCH 2021 COMMANDERS VISIT JFC BRUNSSUM

On Friday 5th March, Commander (LANDCOM), Lieutenant General Roger Cloutier, visited Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) alongside Commander Headquarters Multinational Corps North East (MNC NE), Lieutenant General Slawomir Wojciechowski.

16 MARCH 2021 JFCBS HOSTS NORTHERN COMMANDERS CONFERENCE 21

Tuesday 16th March, JFCBS virtually hosted the Northern Commanders Conference. The aim of the conference was to nurture shared understanding of the security situation in the Northern Region, to inform participants with regard to current developments, to sustain a robust network amongst leadership, and foster an ever closer relationship between Allies and Partners.

18 MARCH 2021 JFCBS HOSTS NORTHERN COMMANDERS CONFERENCE 21

On Thursday 18th March, the Commander Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne, visited Joint Force Command Brunssum. The visit was an opportunity to discuss various topics of mutual interest including Deterrence, Readiness and military movement capability.

23 TO 24 MARCH 2021 GENERAL VOLLMER VISITS THE RAPID REACTION CORPS FRANCE

General Vollmer visited the Rapid Reaction Corps France (RRC-FR) in Lille, France, 23 to 24 march to be briefed on the preparation of the HQs for the NATO Response Force 2022 (NRF 22).

25 CROATIAN ARMED FORCES NATIONAL NATIONAL CONTRIBUTION

STORY BY VESNA PINTARIĆ/ PHOTOS BY TOMISLAV BRANDT/ HRVATSKI VOJNIK MAGAZINE

In 2021 the Croatian Armed Forces Croatian Armed Forces’ institutions in the event of emergencies are marking the 30th anniversary of missions and organisation and natural disasters. their establishment. They were or- ganised concurrently with the strug- Today’s Croatian Armed Forces are or- gle for independence and sovereign- ganised as small-sized, modern and highly ty of a young state of Croatia in the mobile forces composed of 15,502 mem- The Croatian Army – the land force - is the early 1990s, in extremely tough and bers (14,305 active duty persons and 1,197 largest component of the Croatian Armed imposed war conditions. civilians) and comprise six organisational Forces. They are the main force for the joint units: the Croatian Army (land force), the operations of the Croatian Armed Forces, Defending the homeland and growing dur- , the , the developing the capabilities of response to ing the Homeland War, in 1995 the Croa- Croatian Defence Academy, the Support modern security threats. The professional tian Army ended victoriously the war in Command and the Special Forces Com- units of the Croatian Army comprise two Croatia. mand. guards and combat support units A new chapter of the independent and The General Staff of the Croatian Armed (artillery, air defence, engineer units, sig- democratic state and of the Croatian Armed Forces is a joint unit established within the nal units, Military Police, NBC Defence Forces was opened, which in the following Ministry of Defence and is responsible for and military intelligence units). period grew into a modern military ready command, preparation and the use of the for the most demanding missions, trans- armed forces. The manoeuvre of the Guards formed into a professional organisation, Motorised Brigade and of the Guards Ar- modernised the assets and weapons, and The Croatian Armed Forces are mission- moured Mechanised Brigade constitute acquired the forces and capabilities for focussed, prepared and developed primar- the basic modules for task forces. The re- participation in joint operations and inter- ily for the protection of sovereignty and mainder of the land forces is organised national peace support operations within defence of the state borders and of sover- into the Training and Doctrine Command, NATO, the UN and the EU. eignty at sea and of airspace, but their mis- responsible for the education of the active Croatia has become a country and a mili- sion today comprises a wide spectrum of and of the reserve component and for the tary which invests major efforts into peace- tasks, including the contribution to the col- establishment and training of the reserve building, taking part in many peace mis- lective defence of allies, ability to plan and component. sions and operations worldwide and has conduct joint operations, participation in since 2009 contributed to global security security- and trust-building measures and Members of the Croatian Armed Force as a NATO member nation too. assistance to national and foreign civilian have taken active part in assistance to the

26 domestic civilian institutions, by prepar- Fighter Aircraft Squadron protects the na- Presently as many as 191 members of the ing and executing activities during the fire- tional airspace, with the support of the Air- Croatian Armed Forces are engaged in 10 fighter seasons, and in defence from floods, space Surveillance and Control Battalion. international peace missions and opera- earthquakes, the COVID-19 pandemic and tions. executing engineer works. The Croatian Air Force comprises three squadrons equipped with The 34th HRVCON with two transport heli- The Croatian Army is equipped with Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance and com- copters is presently engaged in NATO-led armoured vehicles, with M-84 tanks and bat , the MI-171 Sh multi-role mission KFOR in . with the PZH 2000 self-propelled howit- helicopters and with Mi-8 MTV transport zers. helicopters, as well as a Transport Aircraft The 5th HRVCON with a MLRS is presently Squadron equipped with Pilatus PC-9M engaged in the EU Battlegroup in the Re- Croatian soldiers wear combat uniforms training aircraft and the Firefighter Squad- public of Poland, and two Croatian mecha- developed in a Croatian firm “Kroko Inter- ron with the firefighter Canadair CL-415 nised infantry contingents have concluded national” and the protective helmet made and Airtractor AT-802 aircraft. In addition their terms in the EU Battlegroups in the by “Šestan-Busch” and are equipped with to firefighting, the Croatian air forces are Republic of Lithuania. the HS semi-automatic and the VHS- also engaged in search-and- rescue tasks 2 assault rilfe, made by the Croatian small and in emergency medical transport tasks. The 4th HRVCON with the missile boat arms manufacturer “HS Produkt”. is engaged in NATO-led Operation “Sea Guardian”. The Croatian Navy Other forces The Croatian Armed Forces were engaged The Croatian Navy protects the sovereign- Special Forces are mission-oriented, in Operation ISAF and in Resolute Support ty, the rights and interests of the Republic trained and equipped forces for the execu- Mission in from 2003 through of Croatia at sea, and comprises the Flotilla, tion of special operations on the ground, at 2020. the Coast Guard, the Coastal Surveillance sea and in air in any weather conditions. Battalion, the Navy Logistic Base and the The CAF have provided contriobution to Croatian Navy Training Centre. The Support Command is the most impor- the EU security by participating in the op- tant logistic component of the Croatian erations “ATALANTA” and “IRINI”. The Flotilla develops capabilities for naval Armed Forces and the main authority of lo- warfare and for participation in interna- gistic and medical support for the Croatian The Croatian Armed Forces members have tional naval operations, while the Coast Armed Forces. been engaged in three UN-led missions Guard develops capabilities for the supervi- The education is a mission of the Croatian – the UNMOGIP, the MINURSO and the sion and protection of the rights and inter- Defence Academy as a higher education UNIFIL. ests of the Republic of Croatia at sea. Other and research institution responsible for or- naval forces are in support of the actions of ganisation and administration of military the flotilla and Coast Guard forces. education and also for inter-service educa- Future tion of officers and NCOs for the needs of In addition to traditional naval tasks, inter- overall Croatian Armed Forces. The Croatian Armed Forces are fully op- national military exercises and operations, erational to conduct operation with NATO the Croatian naval forces are also engaged member nations. Further reform of the to provide assistance to civilian institu- Engagement in international defense system will be focussed on further tions through the execution of firefighting, operations modernisation and building of efficient, search-and-rescue at sea, the support to the professional armed forces, manned by population living in the islands and trans- The contribution to the development of qualified and motivated personnel, well- portation. the allied defence capabilities and of the equipped, trained, supplied, protected and Common Security and Defence Policy is integrated, deployable, sustainable, flexible The Croatian Navy is equipped with five displayed primarily through the Croatian and financially affordable armed forces. missile boats fitted with the RBS-15 long- Armed Forces' engagement in NATO- and range anti-ship missiles, with several land- the EU-led international operations. The new strategic documents that are draft- ing crafts assault, a – mine- ed will outline further development of the layer, five patrol ships, and several training, The Croatian Armed Forces’s first military Croatian Armed Forces as well as the mod- rescue and other ship types. observers were dispatched to an UN-led ernisation modalities, timeline and priori- mission in 1999, and have so far taken part ties. Most importantly, the Croatian Armed Croatian Air Force in more than 30 international operations Forces are ready and capable to fulfill their and missions led by the United Nations, tasks at home and in international environ- The Air Force protects the sovereignty of NATO and the respec- ments at any time. the Republic of Croatia in the airspace. The tively.

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