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FCHD Contributes to Successful ARRC NR 07—NOVEMBER 2012 CREVAL Commander’s Corner

Congratulations to every member of Al- lied Force Command (FCHD) who contributed to the successful Com- Maj.Gen. Michel Stollsteiner and LTG John W. Morgan III sign the CREVAL bat Readiness Final Evaluation Report declaring the Combat Readiness status of the ARRC Oct. 11. Evaluation (CREVAL) of the Allied Rapid At Royal Air Force base St. Mawgan, four kilometers Reaction Corps from Cornwall England’s rocky Atlantic coastline, (ARRC). The FCHD hundreds of military members listened carefully to CREVAL team accom- Lt. Gen. James Bucknall, commander of the Allied plished the objective Rapid Reaction Corps Oct. 6 during a morning brief of providing a thor- on the eve of an operation. ough and profes- sional review of the ARRC’s capabilities in both His guidance sounds like what he might say if he phases of the CREVAL. The positive evaluation were deployed on foreign soil but it is part of an exer- and feedback provided to the ARRC is critical to cise called Noble Ledger that ran until Oct. 12th. It the Corps’ future mission as the Land Component was the ARRC’s Field Inspection for the Combat Command (LCC) for the 2013 NATO Response Readiness Evaluation or CREVAL. He knew that Force (NRF). within a week his unit would be deemed Combat Ready or Not Ready by LTG John W. Morgan III, the FCHD continues to stand ready to execute mis- CREVAL Team Leader and Commander of Allied sion if called. With only two more months in our Force Command Heidelberg (FCHD) along with 2012 NRF stand-by period, it is imperative to Maj.Gen. Michel Stollsteiner, Supreme Headquarters maintain vigilance and remain prepared to re- Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE’s) Senior Monitor. spond to the unexpected in this uncertain world.

Lt. Gen. Bucknall’s staff had to first pass NATO’s FCHD’s transition to the Stand-Up Team (SUT) criteria for all the tasks the headquarters might per- in Izmir remains on schedule. Congratulations to form. Among those listening were dozens of current all who have worked directly with the SUT and and former members of Allied Force Command Hei- those who have provided valuable support from delberg who deployed to the U.K. to evaluate or par- Heidelberg so the SUT is successful in its activa- ticipate in training. (continued page 3) tion of the new Land Command on November 30th. The collective efforts of the FCHD staff are appreciated. CONTENTS : Farewells and “lasts” have become the order 01, 03-04 of the day as the headquarters looks forward to FCHD Contributes to Successful ARRC CREVAL deactivation and closure. This is expected and each of us will carry special memories of Heidel- 02 Senior Enlisted Corner berg with us as we depart for other exciting mis- sions. With that said, maximize your opportunities 05 to take advantage of the remaining time in this Closure Corner wonderful region.

06 Civil Disaster Response Planning Workshop And, as you do, stay safe and enjoy your holi- days! 07 Training / Holidays/ NSC Calendars

08-09 FSC Corner

01 Senior Enlisted Leader Corner DISCLOSURE : SOLIDARITY :

Service in NATO entails promoting Serving the military, civilians and family members of the highest levels of trust and confi- Headquarters Allied Force Command Heidelberg dence in our integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability and profession- alism. LTG John W. Morgan III, Commander

These five core values – and the principles that exemplify them – form the basis of the NATO code of conduct, Lt. Col. Götz Haffke which guides all staff civilian or mili- tary, in all NATO bodies. But I would Lt. Col. Randy Martin like to highlight another value which occurs to me : “solidarity”. Editors

“Solidarity” is a word which comes from the French “solidarité”, from Latin “solidum” (whole sum), which ADC Fabien LeCamus, Lt. Col. Cyrille Zimmer FCHD Senior Enlisted Leader has its roots in “solidus”, meaning “solid”. Assistant Editor

Solidarity is a feeling which urges people to grant themselves mutual support, either by moral duty, or because a community of interests exists between them. We can be united around a common goal or against a common enemy. It also means Maj. Peter Mientus the willingness to give psychological and/or material support when another person is in a difficult position or needs affection. The greater the average proportion of Assistant Editor each member’s private resources contributed to collective ends, the greater the solidarity of the group.

Solidarity is one of the values civilians allocate to soldiers along with the team Capt. Tamara Gonzales spirit or “esprit de corps”. As soon as he joins his regiment the new recruit learns that a soldier is never alone. For a deployed soldier it is vital to be able to rely on his Assistant Editor teammates at any time and whatever happens. Never abandon a colleague, over- come obstacles and difficulties together, share everything … good times and bad times. These principles inspire the necessary mutual confidence. Adj. Aurélie Auzas This year’s Chicago Summit declaration (May 2012) stated once more that our Alliance is based on solidarity, cohesion and indivisibility. As soon as it adheres to Layout and Design the North Atlantic Treaty a nation knows that, with Art. 3 and Art. 5 mainly, it can rely on his Allies. How could NATO fulfill its three essential core tasks : collective defense, crisis management and cooperative security, if its member nations didn’t provide continuous and effective support and mutual aid ? Staff Sgt. Dwight Chaney

Solidarity involves commitment and work as well as the recognition that even if we don’t have the same feelings or the same lives, we do belong to the same Alli- ance and the same Headquarters. So, solidarity comes from solid, and although we are deactivating, let us strengthen the solidarity that binds us together. Visit our website at www..int/fchd “Four brave people who don’t know each other wouldn’t frankly try to attack a lion. Four less Like us at Facebook: Headquarters Allied Force brave people, but who know each other well, Command Heidelberg sure of their solidarity and thus of their mutual support, would go with determination.”

Return to cover 02 FCHD Contributes to Successful ARRC CREVAL

Riots were portrayed on the simulated television news. There were limited supplies that slowed the movement of digital soldiers in the computer model. There were threats from a hostile neighbour requir- ing defensive measures. And there was an ever-present risk of foreign sponsored terrorists and other difficulties.

One logistician from FCHD’s Joint Logistics Support Group, Maj. Pav- lina Cebakova monitored the ARRC’s status in a grand control room less than a kilometre from the ARRC’s own tented headquarters. She was one of seven Allied Force Command Heidelberg members who were participating in the higher control or HICON.

Her role was to check the ARRC’s supply status reports continuously Maj. Peter Delong, Lt. Col. David Vautor, and Lt. Col. Frank Diener review as she might do for a real deployment. She also contributed to the performance measures with counterparts inside the ARRC's Main Com- training events in the exercise. She said that she inserted an experi- mand Post. ence from her service with the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan so she could help train the ARRC’s own JLSG. For a few, like Maj. Gen. Richard Rossmanith, the Chief of Staff, it was a return trip to England and follow-on from an earlier, In Bar- “A contractor was prohibited from entering the host country and the racks phase. Maj. Gen. Rossmanith summarized a change in view- JLSG had to use their lawyer and resolve the problem.” Maj. Ce- point characteristic of the more tactical setting at an address to bakova said. She had an opportunity to visit the ARRC’s newly organ- the ARRC’s senior leaders. ized logistics unit and talk to its multinational members. “Communication was difficult but we worked it out,” Maj. Cebakova “Before, everything centred on the evaluation team but now eve- said. rything is centred on you. As we observe, we are invisible,” Maj. Gen. Rossmanith said. Allied Force Command Heidelberg evaluators like Maj. Andreas Birk- hoff were positioned to check the reaction of ARRC counterparts. When that meeting ended, the ARRC’s leadership went back to When the ARRC demonstrated proficiency for one of NATO’s Perform- work. Fatigue already showed from long days of wrestling with ance Measures (PM), evaluators acknowledged the success. difficult issues. “They have good working processes and if a problem comes along, The training scenario presented a crisis in the Baltic region and they will be able to deal with it,” Maj. Birkhoff said. As one of 27 required the ARRC to simulate deployment to a NATO country. It’s evaluators he focused on Information Operations, his specialty in a situation the ARRC could see again for real after it begins year- FCHD, while the others looked at administration, operations, logistics long duty as NATO’s Response Force in January. In the exercise and civil/military operations to name a few. the crisis could easily go from bad to worse if the ARRC wasn’t careful in response.

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“It will become one of the main tasks of the Land Command.”

Maj. Gen. Richard Rossmanith addresses the ARRC's leadership and CREVAL Team on Oct. 6 during a morning brief.

Lt. Col. Rick Somers, the ARRC’s Civil Military Cooperation planner was hurrying through the command post’s maze of tents midway through the exercise. The CREVAL was a reunion for him with colleagues he’d served with during five previous years assigned to Allied Force Command Heidelberg.

He said that the CREVAL was an opportunity to display com- petencies, check systems and processes and bond with his new unit. “I’m surrounded by sharp people that expect the best from you,” Lt. Col. Somers said. “It’s a great experience coming to the ARRC to apply some of the things I learned in Heidelberg.”

Another former member of FCHD was visiting England from Izmir, Turkey. Lt. Col. Martin Schultz is now a Staff Officer on the Stand-Up Team for the future Land Command. As part of a larger group of Student Evaluators, he was at the core of a team that may execute CREVAL next year after FCHD is inacti- Maj. Pavlina Cebakova, one of seven members assigned to HICON from Allied Force vated. Command Heidelberg checks the ARRC's daily supply status reports.

“We are here to observe the CREVAL process and learn from it,” said Lt. Col. Schultz. “It will become one of the main tasks of the Land Command.”

Finally, after months of preparation by both the ARRC and the CREVAL team from Heidelberg, LTG Morgan was satisfied that the ARRC had demonstrated that it met NATO’s stan- dards.

Noble Ledger ended and members of the ARRC and Allied Force Command Heidelberg turned their attention to their next missions.

Article by Lt. Col. Randy Martin, FCHD PAO Photos by Staff Sgt. Dwight Chaney, FCHD PAO Photographer

Return to cover 04 The Closure Corner

Everybody knows it: Allied Force Command Heidelberg will de- activate on April 1st 2013 and close no later than December of the same year. The FC HD closure working group was created to ensure everyone is prepared for this transition.

Who are we?

The working group is composed of a permanent body (Core Team) of six members and appointed representatives from the functional areas, working groups and cells/divisions which have a stake in the closure process.

The Core Team responsibility is to coordinate the closure activities both internally and externally (SHAPE, Host Nation, etc) Headquarters Closure Working Group during their weekly briefing Nov. 07.

Who are we going to be?

After de-activation, the core team will join the Closure Party  Closure Planning Phase (01 Jan 13 — 01 Apr 13) Peacetime Establishment (CPPE), comprised of 65 persons plus some additional NATO Communications and Information During this phase, after the end of the NRF period, FCHD will Agency (NCIA) representatives. The CPPE will activate no later no longer perform operational tasks. The support to the future than April 1st under the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers LANDCOM will be the main focus. Activities in preparation of Europe (SHAPE). closure will only be subordinated to transition activities. All other framework activities being executed will have less priority The group will provide different resources including coordina- and will need to be carefully de-conflicted with the preparation tion, security and force protection, human resources, logistics, of closure. All activities described during the previous phase infrastructure and real life support, communications and infor- will continue to be executed. mation services and finance.  Closure Execution Phase (01 Apr 13 — NLT 31 Dec 13) What about closure phases? The HD CP will be officially activated under SHAPE line of Closure activities are divided into 3 phases: Command as the only NCS working structure in Heidelberg after FCHD deactivation.  Closure Planning Phase (08 Aug 12 — 31 Dec 12) To conclude, feel involved and be involved at your own level, During this phase, FCHD is still a fully operational command it will contribute to the closure party mission and will facilitate within the NCS. Current operations and missions have priority your departure. over the closure process. Nevertheless, routine activities with a special focus in closure have been identified by the HCWG and have been/will continue to be supported by the rest of FCHD as, for example: Out-processing of departing personnel, vaca- tion of empty offices, removal of unused materiel, shredding Article by Lt. Col Renaud Caudron actions. Photo by Adj. Aurélie Auzas, FCHD PAO Multimedia Technician

Results from Garrison Closure Town Hall Meeting can be found at: http://www.bw.eur.army.mil/news/personnel.htm

The Herald Post, published Thursdays, the garrison website: http://www.bw.eur.army.mil, and Town Halls remain the best sources of information about services affected by the inactivation of Patton Barracks and PHV.

05 Return to cover The Civil-Disaster Response Planning workshop

Consequence management includes the cleaning of the streets to help deliver aid. This picture is provided by Lt. Col Pierre Tenailleau who presented a lecture during the workshop about the disaster relief operations in Haiti, March 2010

With the NATO Response Force mission comes the Operational Fortna, a subject matter expert at the Civil and Military Plan- Liaison and Reconnaissance Team. The OLRT is the tool the ning and Support office of the Operations Directorate of NATO Deployable Joint Staff Element has, to assess the potential HQ in , gave a lecture to illustrate how NATO does need to deploy a DJSE when and where a crisis is ongoing. This disaster response and supports disaster relief operations at a includes any kind of civil disaster relief operation that NATO strategic level. Describing the specific tool SACEUR has in his would launch in support of one of its members or in support of hand, the civil and military assessment liaison team (CMALT), a UN operation. Mr. Fortna explained that the mission of this team is to quickly provide SACEUR with an assessment of the needs and to coor- Force Command Heidelberg held a Civil-Disaster response dinate between OCHA, the host nation, and NATO assets. This planning workshop on September the 25th and the 26th, in or- coordination will then be done using the Euro Atlantic Disaster der to determine whether the OLRT needs more training in that Response Coordination Center of NATO. area of its potential missions. OLRT members and a lot of other FCHD members attended this workshop. After these presentations, three FCHD members shared their own experience during different disaster relief operations. The Maj. Gen. Richard Rossmanith, FCHD chief of staff, highlighted conference allowed every OLRT member to better understand that such an operation is less about life saving – that’s a job how he can be deployed and the kind of mission and support done by the UN and some specialized and experienced govern- he can receive. mental organizations (GOs) as well as non-governmental organi- zations (NGOs). It’s about consequence management. Thanks to the 1949 Treaty and if the 28 nations agree, NATO doesn’t need a UN mandate to intervene or support a disaster NATO did launch operations. In 2006 the NRF was activated to relief operation. From a discussion concerning OLRT prepared- support Pakistan’s government after a dramatic earthquake. In ness it is clear that the design of the team has to be tailored to 2005 air lift support was provided to the USA after Hurricane the kind of operation that is to be launched. Katrina. NATO always deployed some days or weeks after the event and always in support of national assets already de- As a conclusion for the conference, Col. Chris Sorenson stated ployed. that the workshop was the last preparation step for the OLRT. Being a reconnaissance tool, the OLRT is almost ready to fulfill The audience enjoyed lectures given by two external experts. any kind of civil disaster response operation that NATO might Mr. Marco Corstjens, representing the UN Office for Coordina- support. tion of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) explained the missions and the means his agency has and deploys when a disaster occurs, Article by Lt. Col Cyrille Zimmer using military and civil assets. OCHA complies with the Oslo Photo by Lt. Col. Pierre Tenailleau Guidelines to manage disaster relief operations. Mr. David 06 Return to cover Training Calendar

DATE EVENTS

19—22 NOV JLSG Course in Prague

26—30 NOV LC SUT Visit

26—28 NOV 19th Doctrine and Procedures WG Meeting

27—29 NOV MTEP Programming Board

30 NOV Land Command Activation Ceremony

03 DEC COM’s Christmas Address

05 DEC FCHD End of Year Event

Holiday Calendar

DATE EVENTS

22 NOV US Thanksgiving

NSC Calendar

DATE EVENTS Social Dance instruction and beer tasting 31Middle at 1900hrs 06 NOV Cost: 10 Euros for members 16 Euros for non-members Learn how to make and make your own advent centerpiece 27 NOV 31Middle at 1900hrs Cost: 10 Euros for members 16 Euros for non-members

07 Return to cover FSC Calendar DATE

21 NOV

DATE

03 DEC

DATE EVENTS

Baden-Baden Christmas Market 12 DEC Registration required by 30 NOV 12

References to departing families info Announcement:

Out processing Booklets are still available at the Family Support Centre.

The Booklet contains lots of advice on how to get ready to out-process the right way. Please come by the FSC Office to pick up your copy. If you need more information or further help please do not hesitate to contact the Family Support Centre for assistance.

08 Return to cover Information on German Christmas Markets/Christmas Events

If you and your children are interested in doing something more different or special other than the “regular” Christmas Market visit during this year’s Christmas Season, make sure to check out the following:

EUROPA PARK, Rust

Germany’s biggest winter wonderland. With numerous winter attractions, festive decorations and fascinating show programmes, Europa-Park is definitely worth the trip. The whole park is immersed in beautiful Christmas decoration. There is also a big Christmas Market as well as a wonderful Christmas Parade at the end of each. Please note that due to the weather conditions some of the rides may be closed. But there still remains a lot to discover.

Winter Wonderland will take place from 24 November until 06 January 2013 (except 24/25 December 2012), opening times are from 11:00 – 19:00 each day. www.europapark.com

Triberger Weihnachtszauber 2012 (Triberg Christmas Magic 2012)

This is a big spectacular Christmas event. Every year ’s highest waterfalls located in Triberg, Black Forest will be illuminated with over 900,000 Christmas lights, wood illuminated by countless lanterns, 100 meter long light tunnel, new village of lights, wintry fire productions and various shows.

On the 20-meter high Ferris wheel, you can get a beautiful aerial view from above. You will have a spectacular view of the whole Christmas Magic grounds with 800,000 lights as well as all of Triberg. Lighted snowflakes will show you the way through the dark Black Forest. There is also a life size manger with real animals.

The spectacle takes part from 27 to 30 December 2012. There will be great fireworks at around 21:00 hrs each night. It is recommended to buy tickets asap. For more information and detailed programme visit: http://www.triberger-weihnachtszauber.com/en/index.html

Adventszauber Wildpark, Schwarzach

On 02 December 2012 from 12:00 to 18:00 h the Wildpark in Schwarzach will host its annual very cozy Christmas Market including attractions and programs for the whole family. For more detailed information: www.wildpark-schwarzach.de

Romantic Christmas Market

The most romantic Christmas market in the Rheinland Pfalz Region is in Deidesheim. It only opens on the following weekends: 30.11. - 02.12.2012, 07. - 09.12.2012, 14. - 16.12.2012, 21. - 23.12.2012

Opening hours: Fr. 17.00 - 21.00 h, Sa. 14.00 - 21.00 h, Su. 11.00 - 21.00 h http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-deutschland.de/weihnachtsmarkt-deidesheim.html

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