2009 EDITION 03 Editorial
Dear readers, integrate our activities for our The Observer This edition will hit the streets common customer – you. right after the Holiday Season, so Serving the military, civilians and family members of ALCC HQ HD at first a Happy New Year to all Give us your feedback to our audience. make our product better. Send Lt. Gen. Roland Kather Commander your ideas and comments to: Lt. Col. Thomas Dippel In last edition’s editorial we pao@lahd.nato.int DEU A, Public Affairs Officer talked about using this magazine Editor as a platform for the three main 1Sgt. Major Morreels elements of a Force Command Techn. Multimedia HQ, the HQ Staff, the DJSE 1 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Dippel Published three times each year, The Observer is an authorized, and the DJSE 2. With the immi- DEU A unofficial publication. nent deployment of a significant ALCC (Force Command Its aim is to inform headquarters amount of our HQ’s DJSE person- Designated) personnel and their family members. Opinions expressed in this publication nel to HQ ISAF in Afghanistan HQ Heidelberg are those of the authors and do not and the requirement to sustain Public Affairs Office reflect official policy. that effort over a period of two Suggestions for articles, comments and years, it became very clear to all contributions are welcome and should be directed to the editor. in Public Affairs that we will use The editor reserves the right to edit this magazine also as a means for submissions. a fourth main, if not essential ele- Public Affairs Office ment of the HQ: those who will Postfach 102620 D-69016 Heidelberg have to stay behind – the spouses (Bldg 8, Campbell Barracks) and families of our deployed peo- Phone: 06221.398.5316 Fax: 06221.398.5774 ple. For supporting those, the HQ Email: [email protected] has re-activated a success story Printed by: from previous ISAF deployments ABT Print und Medien GmbH – the Family Support Centre, and Bruchsaler Straße 5 69469 Weinheim I recommend the short introduc- Phone: 0 62 01/18 90-0 tory article in this edition to you. www.abt-medien.de Virtually living next door to them, Visit our web site at www.nato.int/lahd we will stay in close contact with them in order to co-ordinate and
Contents Commander´s Message ...... 3 DJSE 1 Deploys on Maiden Exercise ...... 14 Command Sergeant Major´s Message ...... 4 Crawl, walk, run – three steps to ISAF ...... 16 The Family Support Centre ...... 5 OCC E & F ...... 18 Family Fest 2009 ...... 6 X-Mas Address/NCSA Sector Heidelberg .. 22 60th Anniversary NATO ...... 8 Appreciations & Commendations ...... 23 Day of German Unity ...... 11 Remembrance Day ...... 24 Oktoberfest 2009 ...... 12
2 www.nato.int/lahd Commander’s Message Happy New Year and Welcome to the current situation in Afghanistan the winter edition of the OBSERVER have paid off. The team is ready. magazine. The transition from the Now the HQ will take into consid- old to the New Year is often used eration the needs of spouses and to take stock of what has been families, too, since such a sustained achieved in the past and which period of deployment will pose nu- challenges lie ahead of us. I am not merous challenges to them. For their about to change this tradition. As sake, I take pride in the re-activation opposed to the traditional order, of the multinational Family Support however, I deem it necessary to Centre. If we have learned any- Let me conclude my review of begin in reverse order with the most thing from previous deployments, 2009 with two issues regarding the important test lying ahead of all of it is this: Community matters! As Alliance. On 1 October, the HQ us – military and civilian members our soldiers and civilians deploy to had the great honour to conduct a of the HQ and families alike – the Afghanistan as a multinational team ceremonial parade to celebrate the upcoming ISAF deployment. – let’s form a multinational team of 60th Anniversary of NATO. And on families at home as well. New Year’s Eve, the NRF-13 standby When we were tasked by SHAPE period ended for our HQ without in mid-summer to prepare and So, are we ready to deploy? Yes, incident – indeed the best thing that deploy our DJSEs to become the we are! And we will show it by can happen to NATO’s dedicated nucleus of the restructured 4-star In- bidding farewell to the fi rst rotation “fi re brigade”. ternational Security Assistance Force with a parade on 27 January. (ISAF) HQ in Kabul, Afghanistan, As for the year 2010, there is and to sustain that effort for a pe- In the meantime, our second hardly any indication that the HQ riod of two years, it was clear from DJSE – DJSE1 – has stood up and might become less engaged than in the very beginning that any ISAF proved its high level of professional- the previous year. The second ISAF preparation effort would have to in- ism during exercise ARRCADE FU- rotation from DJSE 2 must be trained clude the families of all Heidelberg SION. The way ahead for them will with the same professionalism as personnel. Once again – for the be to continue to build their capac- the fi rst in preparation of its deploy- third time for our HQ with regard ity in order to reach full operational ment to Afghanistan in late July, and to ISAF – you and your families are capability in 2010 and take the ISAF DJSE 1 will have to follow DJSE 2’s challenged with a prolonged period mission from DJSE 2 in January footsteps in proving the operational of separation from your loved ones. 2011. relevance of the DJSE concept in Holistic ISAF preparation and proper the NATO community, while the HQ care of the soldiers and their fami- Talking about community: The Staff continues to act as a pivotal lies is therefore a top priority for us. Family Fest on 10 September, the enabler for both the ISAF and the reception at Schwetzingen Castle on DJSE activities of the HQ. During DJSE 2’s fi rst rotation 1 October and the annual Okto- ISAF Mission Rehearsal Training in berfest on 9 October each attracted Looking ahead towards the up- Stavanger, Norway, I was able to large audiences, all served as early coming challenges, I would like to note that all the months of thorough enablers for community team-build- remind you again that community training to develop an in-depth ing in anticipation of the upcoming matters. Therefore, I am deeply knowledge of Afghan culture and deployments. convinced:
Together we can! Shaping the future together!
The Observer 2009 ED.03 3 Command Sergeant Major´s Message Another one gone by
As we prepare to wave goodbye looking forward to the safe return to those leaving for Afghanistan of our friends and comrades in in January, we have to wonder July or at the end of 2010. where the time has gone. Maybe this has something to do with Remember that every job whether how busy we’ve been working, deployed or in the residual Head- sometimes in two or three jobs, quarters is important and that to make sure that we cover all your contribution to the Mission the angles to ensure that we meet is very much appreciated by the the COM’s intent and that we Command Group that counts on train and provide the best train- you to get the next Rotation to ing to those deploying. There’s ISAF ready with the best possible one thing that I know though, the training and for you all to serve Offi cers and Non Commissioned as mentors for the Newcomers. offi cers were up to the task again ALCC Command Sergeant Major during this very special year. We I urge you all to make full use of Camil, Samson (CAN) in fact, had to go through a major “YOUR” Family Support Centre transformation of the HQ, multi- that was set up to serve and sup- ple physical moves to refl ect the port you at all times, not only new organisation, the re assigna- during the times of crisis. tion of personal within the new structure, and as if it was not I would like to particularly thank enough, we had to re aligned the Non Commissioned Offi cers our training to face the challeng- for their outstanding contribution ing task to deploy more then 100 to their Headquarters, again a job people to ISAF for four rotations well done. during the next two years. Need- less to say that it has been a Finally, I wish you all the best for challenging year with many suc- this New Year and especially a cesses. lot a quality time with your loved ones. With the start of this New Year, it is time to refl ect on the past and Camil Samson make resolutions for the future. I CWO, CAN Army think we have had a very suc- cessful year but I also think the future will be even more chal- lenging. I sincerely hope that for the family of the deployed mem- bers that the time for the next six months (or one year for others) will seem to go by as fast as the year 2009 has. We are already
4 www.nato.int/lahd The Family Support Centre From left to right: Mr Josef Nawrat, Mrs Insa Ponomarev, Mrs Claudia Pradel and Cdt Eric De Vilder, the Chief of the FSC
Dear spouses, partners and ians: an Administrative Assistant make the necessary calls. Or let’s families, (Mrs Claudia Pradel), a Privileges assume you have to write a reply As you certainly know, the Assistant (Mr Josef Nawrat) and a to a letter written in German. Headquarters will open a Family Senior Translator (Mrs Insa Pon- Our translator, Mrs Ponomarev, Support Centre (FSC) at Campbell omarev). will be happy to assist you with Barracks in Heidelberg. Our mis- that. All the civilians in our Fam- sion is to help and strengthen the What can we do for you? ily Support Centre are German families of Headquarters Heidel- Basically, we are open for any citizens and will be able to sup- berg Staff, and in particular those questions you might have, and port you in dealing with German families with deployed spouses we will do our best to help you authorities. or partners. solve any problems that may Once again your partner is leav- arise in connection with your How can you contact us? ing for quite a long time and you spouse’s deployment. As a practi- We will be located in Campbell will have to take over a lot of cal example, let’s assume you Barracks, Building 31M. To make responsibility in the family. It will just received your annual utilities sure we can give you our undi- not always be easy, but never statement from your landlord and vided attention, the best thing is forget that “you are not alone!” you have some concerns about to give us a call before you plan it. Mr Nawrat will then be able to to visit us so we can make an ap- Who are we? look into it from a legal point of pointment. Our team consists of four people. view and give you some advice. The chief of the Family Sup- Or you may want to fi nd a doctor port Centre (Cdt Eric De Vilder, who speaks Polish. Mrs Pradel Belgian Army), and three civil- will fi gure it out for you and
The Observer 2009 ED.03 5 6 www.nato.int/lahd José Rodriguez, PAO Fotographer
The annual Force Command HQ recipe is so well guarded that no- games. The atmosphere was one HD Family Fest was held on 10 body outside of Canada can emu- of relaxation with a family ori- September 2009. All the partici- late; or so they say. Netherlands ented theme. pant nations didn’t hold anything had their well known croquettes back in putting their best displays and raw herring which was one The event requires a grant for the participants. A combina- this year’s favorites. Belgium at- amount of planning and execu- tion of food, traditional artifacts, tracted more young people to tion to make it a success. The rides for kids and plenty of their booth due to their famous event logistics were provided by souvenirs were in hand for those French fries and fried sausages. the Morale and Welfare section. who participate in this once a Italy had one of the most popular There were buses to transport year event. Since the COM was booths this year mainly to their participants from designated pick delayed due to a longer-than-ex- roasted pig and souvenirs in the up points to the fest and back; pected TDY return trip, the festi- form of Italian food like olive oil, the bus system was available val was opened by the headquar- pastas, and sausage links. The through out the duration of the ters Chief of Staff, Major General United States of America offered event. Soldiers, family members Ton van Loon. The Chief of Staff their traditional BBQ with burgers and other participant of this year spoke about the importance of and hot dogs which attracted a event were treated to a great camaraderie and unit cohesion in large crowd. Turkey went “be- afternoon which continued to these times for the NATO mis- yond the call of duty” when they the late evening for those who sions in the world. offered so many different sweets dare to stay “until the end”. The and food; not for the faint of music was provided by a band Participants didn’t waste any heart or a slim waist. Greece most from Netherlands which played time in lining up to taste what defi nitely increased their future themes that complemented the countries offered in their well tourism by giving souvenirs about atmosphere. Towards the evening elaborated kiosks. Countries like the best places to visit along with everybody fi t the old adage of “a Lithuania which has only two their exquisite food. France had full belly is a happy being”. All representatives in the headquar- a wide variety of premium wines the represented countries had ters had a great display with and cheeses, more that once their best game face to show a lit- food and souvenirs with informa- people stopped by their booth. tle bit of their heritage thus open- tion about their country. People Norway displayed the food of the ing a window of appreciation and gathered more than once to taste great Vikings; with people getting understanding that diversity is the Lithuania’s great food in particu- caught more than once licking strength of NATO. lar their cheeses and sausages. their fi ngers. The children were Canada once again had their entertained by pony rides, car famous “Moose Milk” which its rides, face painting and plenty of
The Observer 2009 ED.03 7 60th Anniversary North Atlantic Treaty Organization
By LTC Thomas Dippel, PAO
For the citizens of many countries, On 1 Oct 09, the Commander In his address, Dr. Eckart Würzn- reaching the age of 60 implies to be of ALCC (FC des.) HQ HD, LTG er stressed the key importance of finally eligible for a pension and an Kather, presided over the celebra- the organisation, which has been honourable retirement. But NATO is tion of the 60th Anniversary of the guarantor of the collective definitely not ready yet for any sort NATO in a Parade Ceremony held security of its members, the people of retirement. NATO has overcome at Campbell Barracks, Heidelberg. throughout Europe, and especially numerous challenges imposed on The music for the ceremony was in Germany, for 60 years now. it during the cold war period, and provided by the German Heeres- NATO has been a part of Heidel- contrary to what many had ex- musikkorps 12 from Veitshöchheim berg and the region for a long time. pected, the end of that period did and the USAREUR band. The Headquarters’ existence has not mean it was no longer needed. contributed to and enriched the in- Rather, the nature of the challenges The Commander had the oppor- ternational atmosphere of the town emerging in the early 1990s made tunity to welcome the Chief of Staff in the past, and should continue to it clearer than ever that they could SHAPE, General Karl-Heinz Lather, do so in the future. only be met within a multinational, and the Lord Mayor of Heidelberg, an international context. NATO has Dr. Eckart Würzner, as guests of General Karl-Heinz Lather since then proven to be an indis- honour. At the beginning of the focused his address on the future pensable part of the international parade, they entered the parade of NATO. According to him, the security environment and the chal- square on a traditional M3 Half ongoing development of the new lenges ahead are more difficult and Track, a model originally designed Strategic Concept will engage the complex than anything else experi- in the U.S. in the early 1940s and Allies in a major intellectual debate enced before. So, even at 60+, the also used in the Bundeswehr until about all aspects of NATO and will will be no window of opportunity 1972. hopefully lead to the establishment for NATO to retire. of a new strategic consensus within
8 www.nato.int/lahd the Alliance – a strategic consensus the 2nd Striker Combat Regt from the reviewing party left the parade that corresponds to the evolving se- Vilseck fired a 17 gun salute for field. curity environment. General Lather “an organization created to protect expressed his conviction that NATO people and promote democracy”. After the parade the audience would be able to successfully adapt The German Band then played the had the opportunity to visit an ac- to and shape the security environ- German national anthem to honour companying exhibition entitled “60 ment of the 21st century. the host nation. YEARS OF NATO”. The exhibition took place in front of and inside The parade continued with an in- The marching off of the colors Building 31M and displayed “vet- vocation by Chaplain Johnson of the and the march pass of the parade eran” military vehicles as well as U.S. Army. Following that, the US- troops signalled the conclusion various military uniforms and kits AEUR band played the NATO hymn of the ceremony, which formally from NATO nations over the course to honour all NATO nations, and ended when LTG Kather and of time. …the beginning… On 6 July 1948, the preliminary proposed treaty should: the Foreign Ministers of Belgium, talks, which led to the North At- • promote peace and security; Canada, Denmark , France, Iceland, lantic Treaty, began in Washington • express determination of the Par- Italy, Luxembourg, the Nether- between the State Department and ties to resist aggression; lands, Norway, Portugal, the United the Ambassadors of Canada and • define the area in which it should Kingdom, and the United States of of the Brussels Treaty Powers. It operate; America. was agreed from the start that any • be based on self-help and mutual It was ratified by the parliaments of treaty for common defence, linking assistance; the member countries within five countries from both sides of the At- • be more than military: that is, months. Later, Greece and Turkey lantic, should be within the frame- promote the stability and wellbe- were invited to join the Alliance, to work of the United Nations Charter. ing of people in the North Atlantic which they formally acceded on 18 The talks ended on 9 September, area. February, 1952. 1948, with a report to governments On 4 April, 1949, the North Atlantic 60 years later, NATO now comprises recommending, inter alia, that the Treaty was signed in Washington by 28 member countries.
The Observer 2009 ED.03 9 60th Anniversary of NATO Exhibition Activities
The ceremonial parade at Heidelberg on 1 Oct 09 due to the 60th Anniversary of NATO was accompanied by an exhibition entitled “60 YEARS OF NATO”. At the exhibition various “veteran” military vehicles as well as military uniforms and kits from NATO nations over the course of time were displayed. Find below a sample of the vehicles on display.
MANUFACTURER Panhard CREW 4 Commander, Gunner, Driver, Rear Driver/Radio Operator WEIGHT 13,5t PRIMARY ARMAMENT 75 mm gun L/48 SECONDARY ARMAMENT 3 MG 7,5 mm ENGINE 12-cylinder-otto-engine 12H 6000 Panhard 200 hp 6000 ccm SPEED 105 km/h
APZ EBR 75 OPERATIONAL RANGE 650 km (street)
MANUFACTURER White, International Harvester (M3E2/M5) CREW 3 + 10 WEIGHT 9.3 t ARMOUR 6 to 12 mm PRIMARY ARMAMENT 1 x 0,5 in (12,7 mm) M2 MG Various Versions with different armament SECONDARY ARMAMENT 2 x 0,3 in (7,62 mm) M 1919A4 MG ENGINE 6 cylinder petrol White 160 AX with 109,6 kW 147 hp (110 kW)
M3 Half truck OPERATIONAL RANGE 282 km
CREW 2 WEIGHT 3,7 t PRIMARY ARMAMENT 7,62 mm machine gun or Brown ing Cal. 30 MG SECONDARY ARMAMENT - ENGINE Rolls Royce B60 6-cylinder petrol 130 hp (97 kW) SPEED 93 km/h
APz Ferret POWER/WEIGHT 35,1 PS/t OPERATIONAL RANGE 306 km
MANUFACTURER Cleveland Army Tank Plant, BAE Systems CREW 6 WEIGHT 23,5 t (27 t) PRIMARY ARMAMENT 155 mm Howitzer (effective range: 18,000 m/Rate of fi re: 4 round/min) SECONDARY ARMAMENT machine gun 6 x smoke grenade launcher ENGINE 8V7lT Turbo-Diesel 440 PS (324 kW)
PzH M 109 SPEED 56 km/h OPERATIONAL RANGE ~ 350 km
10 www.nato.int/lahd DAY OF GERMAN UNITY Ceremony at Schwetzingen Castle
By LTC Thomas Dippel, PAO
On 1 Oct, Allied Land Compo- Unity and in celebration of 60 music from the 18th century, nent Command (Force Com- years of NATO. The act was con- such as the “Preußischer Präsen- mand Designated) Headquarters cluded by a Serenade. tiermarsch”, and the 19th cen- Heidelberg carried out a Parade In general terms, a “ser- tury, such as “Amazing Grace”, to mark the 60th Anniversary of enade” is a musical performance and onwards. In a sense, the NATO. Very close to that date in someone’s honour, usually serenade took the guests on an was another important event, at performed in the evening and enchanting musical ride through least for the German community outside the house. Therefore, af- the centuries. The last piece was of the HQ: the Day of German ter the reception at Schwetzingen “Lili Marleen”, a favourite among Unity on 3 Oct. This year, the Castle had fi nished, the guests soldiers in the 1940s. HQ decided to combine both gathered outside in the castle This year, it was NATO’s big events, and so the annual cere- garden to listen to the Serenade. day. Next year, the Germans will mony was held in the evening of The Serenade was performed be able to mark another anniver- 1 Oct at Schwetzingen Castle. by the German Heeresmusik- sary: The 20th Anniversary of the The ceremony comprised a korps 12 from Veitshöchheim Day of German Unity. short reception, followed by a which had already demonstrated The German community is speech by the Commander ALCC its masterful skills during the looking forward to celebrating it (FC Designated) HD, Lieutenant Parade earlier the same day. together with their friends from General Roland Kather, on the Their programme for the evening the Allied community. occasion of the Day of German comprised traditional military
The reviewing Party during Impressions from the Serenade the Serenade. COM ALCC (FC designated) HQ HD addressing the audience
Musikkorps during the concluding serenade
The Observer 2009 ED.03 11 Oktober- fest 2009 by MSgt Armbrust Manfred (MWA)
With the Oktoberfest on 9 Oc- port of a civilian lead singer, Ms. tober 2009, Force Command Boess. Headquarters Heidelberg had the pleasure to host the first event in The atmosphere at the castle was the newly renovated Königssaal great, and the excellent tradi- at Heidelberg Castle. Planning tional Bavarian buffet served by had started as early as Novem- the castle’s catering service was ber 2008, when MWA made a to everyone’s liking. Many flag reservation with the Heidelberg officers attended the event. At Castle Administration, following midnight, General Van Loon cel- COM approval of the Oktober- ebrated his birthday, with cheers fest at Königssaal and Fasskeller. and birthday wishes from staff At the time, the Königssaal was and family alike. still under renovation. The event marked a new step for Force A lot of participants had dressed Command Headquarters Heidel- up in traditional Bavarian cloth- berg, away from the more formal ing. The air was full of laughter, “Autumn Ball” towards a relaxed, and the dance floor was occupied traditional Oktoberfest for all all evening. The shuttle service ranks, with lots of food, beer and provided by the Transportation good fun. Branch was superb, and the help from the Sponsors made this a MWA/FSE was responsible for very memorable evening. Dona- sending invitations and the over- tions greatly helped to reduce the all organization of the event. cost.
Guests included 300 family mem- The event allowed all ranks to bers, soldiers and friends of Force mingle and celebrate together, Command Headquarters Heidel- thus enhancing the HQ’s team berg. The official part started at spirit for future military opera- 2000hrs in the Fasskeller, where tions. General Kather tapped the keg to kick off the evening, using the As the festival approached its traditional phrase “O zapft is!” end, everyone felt a sense of fam- (Bavarian for “It’s tapped!“). ily. It’s great to be a part of the NATO community in Heidelberg! The music was provided by the German “Luftwaffenmusikkorps 2” from Karlsruhe, with the sup-
12 www.nato.int/lahd The Observer 2009 ED.03 13 DJSE 1 DEPLOYS ON MAIDEN EXERCISE
By Sherry Maclean, DJSE 1
After standing up in July 2009, operational Headquarters. During former NATO Secretary General the Deployable Joint Staff Ele- ARRCADE FUSION, the different Lord Robertson. This role revers- ment One (DJSE 1) successfully DJSE cells provided key capabili- al allowed TEC personnel to be deployed on it’s maiden exercise ties to a simulated 4 Star Head- the counterparts that they would in support of Headquarters Al- quarters. The Joint Coordination normally have to deal with on lied Rapid Reaction Corps. Over Centre (JCC) and Situation Cell an operation. By reversing their the past few months, DJSE 1 has (SITCELL) were tasked with rep- roles, a better understanding of awakened as new personnel licating Ops Directorate, as part the relationship and negotiating moved into their new positions, of High Control (HICON), while techniques was gained by the and began the sometimes ardu- Joint Logistics Support Group TEC personnel. ous task of learning their roles (JLSG) simulated the Resource ARRCADE FUSION 09 aimed and responsibilities. All the hard Directorate. As for the Theatre to step beyond civil-military work and effort put forth by the Engagement Cell (TEC), their coordination in the contempo- members of the newly formed chairs were reversed in that their rary operating environment, and team came together in full force, role was to play the Host Nation develop new ways of integrated during DJSE 1’s fi rst exercise - Authority at all the various levels, assessment, planning, execution ARRCADE FUSION 09 held in along with other involved nations and monitoring between all key Sennelager, Germany from 2 – 12 as part of the exercise Grey Cell. civilian actors and the military November 2009. Here they worked alongside con- as part of a comprehensive ap- Taking advantage of a train- tracted civilians playing the roles proach, enabling coherent crisis ing opportunity, our Deployable in which they normally would in- management. Held in the fi c- Joint Staff Element was not de- teract with in a real life environ- tional landscape of Cerasia that ployed as it’s original main con- ment, such as the Red Cross and encompasses the Horn of Africa, cept, but as the base of a higher the UN Special Envoy, played by the exercise transplanted the
14 www.nato.int/lahd complexities of real life confl icts to begin building their working time, providing realistic training in Afghanistan and Iraq. With relationship. in preparation of the upcoming the upcoming two year mission During the exercise, LTG ISAF missions. In addition, the in ISAF in which FCHQ (desig- Kather, COM FC (designated) different roles played by each nated) will provide the base of HQ HD, visited the exercise and of the cells allowed personnel a 4 star headquarters, ARRCADE took the opportunity to speak to to obtain a greater understand- FUSION provided an appropriate each of the personnel from Hei- ing the complexities of working and valuable training scenario. delberg to discuss each of their in such an environment. As the Additionally, as the ARRC is to respective roles and functions fi rst exercise of DJSE 1 came to deploy to ISAF in 2011 as the during the exercise. ARRCADE a close and personnel returned base of the 3-Star IJC Headquar- FUSION 09 provided DJSE 1 the to Heidelberg, it was evident that ters, the exercise provided an opportunity to show its outstand- DJSE 1 gained immensely from opportunity for both DJSE 1 and ing fl exibility in adapting into the experience and its fi rst steps ARRC to work together prior to the role of a higher command were strong, confi dent and in the going in theatre, enabling both headquarters while at the same right direction.
The Observer 2009 ED.03 15 Crawl, walk, run – three steps to ISAF
By Götz Haffke, LTC DEU A, DJSE 2 CPAO
Stavanger, Norway, some 500km Norway, was the place where the mately 60 soldiers went through away from the Norwegian capital last chapter in the training book the Mission Rehearsal Training Oslo in the county of Rogaland of Deployable Staff Element 2 Exercise (MRE) at the Joint War- and known as the oil capital of (DJSE 2) unfolded. Here approxi- fare Centre (JWC).
16 www.nato.int/lahd The challenge for the Training Good military tradition means fashion, filling boots with candy. Audience (TA) was “to start from getting the word and the in- Instead, Exercise Control (EX- crawling, to walking to running tent from the “boss” before you CON) opened its box of incidents in an ISAF environment” within start an operation. Therefore, and events and dumped them 11 days, as the Chief trainer, COL COMISAF, General Stanley Mc- into the mailboxes of the differ- Sevin, told us. To establish a Chrystal, spoke to the TA via ent HQs, bringing ISAF reality to realistic scenario on the one hand VTC right on the first day. He the training audience. The injects and to simultaneously train, edu- explained again the core of were taken from real data in Af- cate and mentor staff and senior the NATO Counter Insurgency ghanistan from a few weeks be- leaders, JWC invited more than (COIN) strategy recently put in fore. While some of the TA might 50 personnel from ISAF HQ and place by ISAF. “It’s all about the have thought that they already ISAF Joint Command (IJC) plus people of Afghanistan,” was the achieved the stage of “walking” civilian experts from all numer- key message repeated again and after the first week, this amount ous organizations to support the again in his statement. This was of reality pushed them back to training. In addition, the staff of also reiterated by members of his “swimming” within minutes. But Multinational Corps Northeast and the IJC staff. just as in the evolution of man- (MNC NE), Szczecin (Poland), After nearly a week of Mission kind, man adapts and matures also sent more than 100 soldiers Specific Training (MST), during very quickly, and so the training to Stavanger to be trained and to which procedures and processes audience and “Team Heidelberg” mirror the situation in Kabul. were briefed, the two Headquar- crawled, walked and finally ran Thus, apart from the natural ters went into real exercise mode over the finishing line. setting of Kabul, situated at an al- and split to structure themselves Now we are ready, trained, titude of more than 1,800 meters just like they will at ISAF HQ and highly motivated and convinced above sea level and the Hindu IJC. that we will add value to the ISAF Kush Mountains in the back- St. Nicholas’ Day on Sunday 6 Headquarters. We look forward ground, the working environment December was not celebrated in to our departure on 27 January was very realistic. traditional continental European 2010.
The Observer 2009 ED.03 17 OCC E&F
One of the responsibilities for the The OCC refocuses existing PfP the spirit of PfP” exercises and Training and exercise sustainment tools and introduces a range of training activities, expert visits, branch, TREX (former G7) is OCC new mechanisms (elements) in or event reports. The Programme E&F. The OCC cell is manned support of these objectives. also offers Advisory Visits to help by partner offi cers. Since 2006 The four pillars of OCC are as Partners to prepare their forces there has been one offi cer from follows: for successful evaluations and Sweden. From August 2009 there UÊ*ÊvÊÀViÃÊ>`Ê >«>LÌià thus avoid wasting of resources. are three offi cers from Sweden, UÊÊ Û>Õ>ÌÊ>`Êii`L>VÊ NATO and Partners offi cers/NCOs Austria and Finland. Mechanisms will execute the evaluations. UÊÊ*i>ViÌiÊÜÀ}Ê,i>Ì The OCC aim is to prepare part- OCC E&F PROGRAMME - ship and Liaison Arrangements ners to operate with the Alliance BACKGROUND (Education, training, Mission) in future NATO-led Operations. At the 1999 Washington Sum- UÊÊ >L}Ê iV >ÃÃÊ-"]Ê The OCC E&F programme sup- mit, Heads of State and Govern- HNS, Airspace, Transit and Le- ports this aim by providing a ment endorsed the report on the gal Arrangements) staged approach for forces de- Enhanced and More Operational clared in the OCC PoF to follow, Partnership (EMOP) and the COMPONENTS OF THE OCC with advice, supervision and, development of an Operational E&F PROGRAMME evaluation and feedback pro- Capabilities Concept (OCC) as a The components of the Opera- vided by OCC E&F experts within new element of the Partnership tional Capabilities Concept Evalu- the NATO Command Structure for Peace (PfP) Programme. ation and Feedback (OCC E&F) (NCS). OCC E&F is not a training The OCC seeks to reinforce PfP’s Programme include designated programme, it is the evaluation operational capabilities, to im- NATO and Partner staff at SHAPE, and feedback of forces that have prove the interoperability of Part- Joint Force Commands (JFCs) and been, or are still being trained. ner forces, and the Alliance’s abil- Component Commands (CCs) Nevertheless, being part of the ity to put together tailored force levels to manage and execute OCC E&F programme inevitably packages to mount and sustain the programme, and a variety of means undertaking considerable NATO-led non Article 5 Crisis Re- assessment vehicles, such as PWP training. sponse Operations (CRO) along activities including PfP exercises, The OCC E&F Programme is the lines of SFOR and KFOR. national and bi or multilateral “in meant to verify the levels of in- teroperability achieved by Partner units declared into the OCC Pool of Forces. NATO/Partner forces should be better able to operate together, in the fi elds of Peace Support Operations, Humanitar- ian Aid and Search and rescue. The focus of the OCC E&F Pro- gramme will be at the NATO - Partner interface across the range of forces and capabilities.
From left to right: LTC Werner E. Kröss, Austria, and Major (GS) Harri Paldanius, Finland
18 www.nato.int/lahd Lieutenant Colonel Werner E. Kröss, Austria
and rescue helicopter team. thea). Smaller contributions are in Master’s Degree in “Environmen- Afghanistan (ISAF) and in differ- tal Threats and Disaster Manage- ent UN observer missions around Born in 1963 in Tyrol/Austria. ment”. the world. After graduation from second- Studies of economics with focus ary school enlistment in the on business administration. Austrian Armed Forces and in Married to Margit, 4 children aged 1986 graduation from Theresian 21 to 12 years (Sabrina, Tanja, Military Academy as an infantry Martin, Johannes). officer. First assignments as pla- toon leader and trainings officer AUSTRIA in Vorarlberg, the most western The Republic of Austria lies in province of Austria. For about 12 Central Europe. The territory years company commander of covers 83,972 square kilometers different companies and S 3 of a (32,383 sq mi). Austria’s ter- HQ Battalion/Infantry Brigade. rain is highly mountainous due After leaving the army in the year to the presence of the Eastern 2000 for about 3 years head of Alps, only 32% of the country is office of the municipality of Egg/ below 500 meters (1,640 ft), and Bregenzerwald. In 2003 reentry its highest point is 3,797 me- and assignment as officer for ters (12,457 ft). The majority of CBRN-Defense and Disaster Man- the population speaks German, agement in the Regional Military which is the country’s official lan- Command of Vorarlberg. Since 1st guage. The currency is the Euro. of July 2009 SO OCC ALCC HQ Austria is a parliamentary repre- Heidelberg. sentative democracy consisting of nine federal states. The capital is Main missions abroad: Vienna. UÊÊ£ÎÉ£{ÊV«>ÞÊV>`- Austria has been a member of the er 1st Coy/AUSBATT/UNDOF United Nations since 1955 and on the Golan Heights in Syria. joined the European Union and UÊÊ£ÈÉ£ÇÊV«>ÞÊV>`- the NATO Partnership for Peace er of the HQ Coy/AUSCON/ in 1995. After starting with an UNFICYP and camp command- Austrian Liaison Office in Brussels er in Famagusta Cyprus. since August 1997 Austria has an UÊÊ£ÊiLiÀÊvÊÌ iÊÕÃÌÀ>Ê official representation to NATO search and rescue team in the “Mission of Austria to NATO”, Yalova/Turkey after the August consisting of a diplomatic and a earthquake. military element. UÊÊÓääxÊV>`iÀÊvÊÌ iÊÕÃ- Austria is taking part in UN, EU trian administration assist- and NATO led missions. The ance team in Phuket/Thailand largest contingents are in Kosovo responsible for disaster victim (KFOR), on the Golan Heights identification after the Tsunami. (UNDOF), in Chad (MINURCAT Training as a military mountain - until December 2009) and in guide and member of a search Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR Al-
The Observer 2009 ED.03 19 Major (GS) Harri Paldanius, Finland
km west to east) of which 10% is the Euro-Atlantic Partnership water and 69% forest. We have Council (EAPC) in 1997. Since 187,888 lakes, 5,100 rapids and the Finland has contributed to 179,584 islands, which is Europe’s NATO led operations in Balkans largest archipelago, including and Afganistan. Finland was the I am Harri Paldanius and I was the semi-autonomous province first non-NATO nation to resume born in Southern part of Finland, of Åland. Finland has 5.3 million lead nation resposabilities of a in Helsinki region, in August inhabitants, 15.7 inhabitants per Multinational NATO Brigade in a 1968. I am married with Tiina and square kilometre, and two official NATO operation (KFOR). Finland we have one daughter and a 5 languages Finnish and Swedish. has also been an active mem- months old dog. We live at the Some important historical mile- ber in the OCC programme. We moment south of Heidelberg. stones: had the first non-NATO air unit I did my National service in UÊÊ££xx\Ê/ iÊwÀÃÌÊVÀÕÃ>`iÊÌÊ- that passed the NATO TACEVAL 1988 – 89 and have stayed with land by the Swedes. Finland evaluation in September 2009. the Army since then. I gradu- becomes part of the Swedish ated from the National Defence realm Crisis management in the Balkans College 1995 as armor officer UÊÊÊ£nä\Ê>`ÊÃÊ >`i`ÊÛiÀÊÌÊ and Afghanistan with the training for Russian Russia by Sweden and becomes UÊÊÊ>`Ê«>ÀÌV«>ÌiÃÊ>ÌÊ«ÀiÃiÌÊ MBTs (T-55M and T-72M1). After an autonomous Grand Duchy in two NATO-led crisis manage- my graduation I worked in the under the Russian emperor ment operations, in KFOR in Reserve Officer School in vari- UÊÊ££Ç\Ê>`½ÃÊ`iV>À>ÌÊvÊ Kosovo and ISAF in Afghani- ous positions, mainly training the independence on December 6. stan. mechanized infantry platoon UÊÊ££n\Ê ÛÊ7>À UÊÊ/ iÊà ÊÀViÃÊÊ ÃÛÊ leaders for the Army reserve. I UÊÊÊ££\Ê/ iÊ«ÀiÃiÌÊVÃÌÌÕÌÊ currently consists of some 400 was deployed in Kosovo (KFOR) is adopted and Finland be- soldiers. The Finnish troops in the FINBN/MNB (C) from comes a republic. have been in theatre since August 2001 to October 2002. UÊÊ£Î{ä\Ê/ iÊ-ÛiÌÊ1Ê>Ì- 1999. Finland is presently the In 2003 I entered to the General tacks Finland, which leads to lead nation in Multinational Staff Officer Course in the Na- the Winter War (105 days of Task Force Center, (MNTF(C)). tional Defence College and gratu- Glory). UÊÊÊ/ iÊà ÊÀViÃÊÊ-Ê ated 2005 and was appointed to UÊÊ£{£{{\Ê} Ì}ÊLiÌÜiiÊ- currently consists of some 120 General Staff. Since that I have ish and Soviet Forces resumes Finnish soldiers. Finland has worked in a Mechanized Brigade in the Continuation War. Some contributed to Isaf since the and in Army Command Finland territory is ceded to the Soviet end of 2001. Since March 2006 as SO (INF) G7. Union but Finland is never oc- Finland has been part of a cupied and preserves its inde- Swedish led Provincial Recon- Finland pendence and sovereignty. struction Team (PRT) in Mazar- Finland is a Republic that is UÊÊ£xx\Ê>`ÊÃÊÌ iÊ1Ìi`Ê i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. located in North-Eastern part of Nations. Europe. We have land borders UÊÊ£x\Ê>`ÊLiViÃÊ>Êi- with Sweden, Norway and Russia ber of the European Union. (1262 km, this is also the eastern border of EU). The Finnish terri- Finland’s cooperation with NATO tory is 338,000 square kilometres Finland joined in the Partner- (1,160 km north to south, 540 ship for Peace (PfP) in 1994 and
20 www.nato.int/lahd Major Jonas Frohlund, Sweden
second and third largest cities are Sweden wishes to contribute to Gothenburg and Malmö. the construction of a Euro-Atlan- Sweden is a constitutional monar- tic structure for a safer and more chy with a parliamentary system secure Europe. PfP is also an My name is Jonas Frohlund and I of government and a highly de- important for Sweden’s participa- was born in the southern part of veloped economy. tion in international crisis man- Sweden in 1968. I am married to Sweden emerged as an independ- agement. Cooperation with NATO Anna and have three children. I ent and unified country during also includes the Euro-Atlantic have my family with me in Ger- the Middle Ages. In the 17th Partnership Council which forms many and will stay here for three century the country expanded its the political framework for PfP years. territories to form the Swedish cooperation. My military background is from empire. Most of the conquered infantry were I made normal car- territories outside the Scandina- Crisis management in the Balkans rier. Due to defense reductions in vian Peninsula were lost during and Afghanistan Sweden in the end of the -90th I the 18th and 19th centuries. The Sweden participates at present had to change branch and now eastern half of Sweden, present- in two NATO-led crisis manage- days I’m Engineer. day Finland, was lost to Russia in ment operations, in KFOR (Kos- The last years I have been work- 1809. The last war in which Swe- ovo Force) in Kosovo and ISAF ing in exercise planning and spe- den was directly involved was in (International Security Assistance cially in evaluation and lessons 1814, when Sweden by military Force) in Afghanistan. learned. My mission experiences means forced Norway into a per- The Swedish Forces in ISAF cur- are from SFOR in Bosnia and UN- sonal union with Sweden, a un- rently consists of some 430 Swed- MOGIP in Pakistan and India. ion which lasted until 1905. Since ish men and women. Sweden has then, Sweden has been at peace, contributed to Isaf since the end Sweden adopting a non-aligned foreign of 2001. The Swedish contribu- officially the Kingdom of Sweden, policy in peacetime and neutrality tion was initially an intelligence is a Nordic country in Northern in wartime. unit and subsequently a CIMIC Europe. Sweden has land borders (Civil Military Cooperation) unit. with Norway to the west and Sweden’s cooperation with NATO Sweden has also provided per- Finland to the northeast and it Sweden’s cooperation with NATO sonnel for Isaf HQ in Kabul since is connected to Denmark by the (North Atlantic Treaty Organisa- the start. Öresund Bridge in the south. tion) is based on our participation Since March 2006 Sweden has At 450,295 km², Sweden is the in the Partnership for Peace (PfP) been in command of a Provincial third largest country in the Euro- and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Reconstruction Team (PRT) in pean Union in terms of area, and Council (EAPC) including the Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Af- it has a total population of about participation in NATO-led crisis ghanistan. The Swedish led PRT 9.3 million. Sweden has a low management operations in Kos- includes personnel from Sweden population density of 21 inhabit- ovo and Afghanistan, cooperation and Finland. ants per square kilometer (54 / between EU and NATO with re- The Swedish Forces in Kosovo sq mi), but with a considerably gard to EU-led crisis management currently consists of some 250 higher density in the southern operations, and the cooperation Swedish men and women. Their half of the country. Sweden’s in the field of civil emergency contribution includes a rifle com- capital is Stockholm, which is planning. pany “Bravo Company”, a “Na- also the largest city in the country Sweden has cooperated with tional Support Element” (NSE), (population of 1.3 million in the NATO in the framework of the military police, Liaison Monitoring urban area and with 2 million Partnership for Peace (PfP) since Teams and intelligence units. in the metropolitan area). The 1994. By participating in PfP,
The Observer 2009 ED.03 21 A light buffet for the de-light Lieutenant General Kather, COM ALCC HQ HD, of the people Major General von Loon, just having been ready for the toast on behalf of the HQ mem- awarded with the Bundeswehr “Cross of bers and heir spouses and families. Honour” in GOLD X-Mas Address The annual X-Mas address of ally overcome by the reception of pause for a while - together with Lieutenant General Kather, COM a new task from SHAPE to deploy the family. ALCC HQ HD, took place at about 100 specialists of all areas Major General Ton van Loon Campbell Barracks on 15 Dec 09. to HQ ISAF and sustain that effort was awarded with the Bundes- The COM took the opportu- for a period of 24 month. Since wehr “Cross of Honour” in GOLD nity to give a resume about the then the organisation and facilita- for this dedicated work in making current year activities of the HQ. tion of a thorough pre-deploy- the DJSE concept a reality, and DJSE was a major issue in 2009, ment training for the fi rst person- for his long-term outstanding ac- spanning from the successful NRF nel to go became priority “one” tivities in integrating multinational certifi cation for DJSE 2 in May, within the HQ. Those efforts environments into one. followed by the on 31 Dec end- culminated in a successful Mis- The COM also recognised the ing NRF Stand-By period of the sion Rehearsal Exercise in Nor- efforts of dedicated HQ members HQ, and the mounting of the sec- way in early December. Christmas during the year. ond DJSE in Jul, but was eventu- time provided the opportunity to
NCSA Sector Heidelberg Change of Command Ceremony
During an offi cial Change of the Multinational Corps Northeast ongoing transformation will also af- Command ceremony at Camp- in Szczecin/Poland, Col Hanisch fect the structure of the NCSA, thus bell Barracks on 10 Dec 2009, the will return a bit closer to his current necessitating the transformation command of NCSA Sector HD was home in Northeastern Germany. of the Sector into a Squadron, the handed over from Col Hanisch to Col Saremba’s previous assign- beginning ISAF deployment phase Col Saremba. The Director of the ment was with the Joint Warfare of and the continued build-up of NATO CIS Services Agency (NCSA), Centre in Stavanger/Norway, acting the second DJSE in our HQ will Lieutenant General Herrmann, as Deputy Division Head and Chief require continuous and increased acted as the presiding offi cer at the C4 Event Support Branch. Numer- CIS support. ceremony. ous events, or rather challenges, lie We wish both Commanders all Col Hanisch, the outgoing Com- ahead of the incoming Commander. the best and “Viel Soldatenglück”! mander, had led the Sector for In addition to the fact that NATO’s almost three years commencing From left to right: Col Hanisch hands From left to right: LTG Herrmann in January 2007. From a CIS per- in the guidon to LTG Herrmann (Director NCSA), hands over the spective, his Sector accompanied (Director NCSA) guidon to COL Saremba the entire transformation process of our HQ from an Allied Land Component Command to a Force Command via implementation of the DJSE concept. With his new appointment as ACOS G6 & SNO at
22 www.nato.int/lahd Appreciations & Commendations
At the occasion of the annual X-Mas address on 15 December, several further members of our Head- quarters received recognition from the Commander Allied Land Component Command (Force Command designated) HQ Heidelberg, Lieutenant General Kather, for their dedicated service and devotion to duty and outstanding performance.
Sergeant David Bryson (USA)
Sergeant Peter Stano (SVK) (left) receives a commendation award from Lieu- tenant General Kather, Commander of NATO Headquarters, Heidelberg
Hauptfeldwebel Manfred Armbrust Lieutenant Colonel Jelle De Jong (NLD) Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Kerekes (DEU) (SVK)
Ms Chantal Schmit (LUX)
Sergeant Major Corald Toonen (NLD)
The Observer 2009 ED.03 23