NATO Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) hosted a Main Events List/Main Incidents List (MEL/MIL) Strategy Workshop in support of the linked Command Post Exercises “TRIDENT JUPITER 2019-1” and “TRIDENT JUPITER 2019-2” (TRJU19-1 & 2) from February 12 to 14, 2018, in Stavanger, Norway.
More than 60 participants, including JWC’s TRJU19 Exercise Planning Team, trusted agents from NATO and Partner Nations and senior mentors attended the workshop, which aimed to establish a shared understanding of the geo-strategic situation presented in the fictitious but realistic exercise scenario, specifically focusing on the Initial Operational Dilemmas.
According to U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Maroon, JWC’s Chief Content for TRJU19-1, the workshop was a highly successful training event contributing directly to the Training Audience success.
“The first MEL/MIL Strategy Workshop was highly successful in achieving JWC’s stated objectives,” said Maroon. “Senior-level representatives from the strategic and operational level of commands were able to discuss, identify, and gain consensus on initial strategic and operational dilemmas they are likely to face in the next phases of planning and execution in the TRJU19 campaign.”
He added: “Moreover, the trusted agents gained a greater understanding of national constraints, defined parameters to their linked national exercises and recommended adjustments to the scenario, allowing greater opportunity for Training Audiences to achieve their Training Objectives.”
Based upon an Article 5 scenario created by the JWC, these two ambitious Command Post/Collective Defence exercises represent NATO’s increasingly higher levels of ambition and JWC’s strong commitment in meeting the requirements of the Alliance.
Major General Andrzej Reudowicz, Commander JWC
Both TRJU19-1 & 2 will be directed by the JWC, following an ongoing exercise planning process of over two years by the time TRJU19-2 is conducted.
“What makes the two exercises so complex is that there are nine participating nations, 14 Training Audiences and two Joint Force Commands focused on challenges across all warfare domains across Europe, with a focus on the High North,” said Maroon.
Overall, TRJU19-1 & 2 will provide a venue to evaluate and certify the NATO Response Force (NRF) 2020.
“The highlight was having Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann, HQ SHAPE Vice Chief of Staff, announce SHAPE’s desire to be fully committed in leading exercise planning and execution,” said Maroon.
“The products of this workshop will now set the stage for Crisis Response Planning over the next couple of months," he added. "JWC will then conduct a unique Operational Exercise Design Workshop, which will ‘bridge the gap’ between the two execution phases of these two linked exercises; first one this fall and the latter, in 2020."
Established in Stavanger, Norway, on 23 October 2003, the JWC provides NATO's training focal point for full spectrum joint operational-level warfare.
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