The After Action Review on Monday 11 June marked the end of the JAGUAR exercise series and the second iteration of exercise TRIDENT JAGUAR 2018, which was conducted simultaneously in Stavanger, Norway and in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The Joint Warfare Centre directed the Computer Assisted/Command Post Exercise (CAX/CPX), which trained NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Greece (NRDC-GR) and their Joint Logistics Support Group, setting the conditions for them to achieve their training objectives.
Overall, the Trident Jaguar 2018 exercises trained both Multinational Joint Headquarters ULM and NRDC-GR as NATO Joint Task Force (JTF) headquarters to conduct non-Article 5, Land-heavy Small Joint Crisis Response Operations (SJO) under direct command of SACEUR.
Commander Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) Polish Army Major General Andrzej Reudowicz directed both exercises.
Steep learning curve and stimulating challenges
Although the Main Event List/Main Incident List was similar to the one used in the first iteration with Multinational Joint Headquarters Ulm, NRDC-GR’s own plans and execution made it a different exercise.
British Navy Commander Nick Meredith, JWC's Chief MEL/MIL for the exercise explained that the exercise challenged the Training Audience.
“TRIDENT JAGUAR for NRDC-Greece was a challenging but ultimately hugely rewarding exercise. The EXCON [Exercise Control] team had a steep learning curve, but came together, growing in confidence and ability with each day. Together we delivered stimulating challenges and gave operational support to NRDC – achieving the training objectives was our success,” he said.
During this exercise, EXCON had established a forward element in Thessaloniki, involving the Training Team, White Cell, Media Simulation, and Exercise Analyst capacities as well as the JWC Commander.
EXCON delivered a rich and varied training experience
Deputy Chief of Staff of JWC's Exercise, Training and Innovation Directorate, Colonel Neil Wright, says that the EXCON team delivered a rich and varied training experience.
“I have just heard Commander NRDC-Greece describe the highly challenging and demanding exercise we provided for him and the profit he and his staff gained in terms of learning and growth. This is satisfaction enough for all of the EXCON team who contributed so much to deliver a rich and varied training experience. And I’m pleased that so many EXCON staff were able to learn and grow in terms of the knowledge of Joint Operational Level Campaigning in NATO ,” Colonel Wright said.
TRIDENT JAGUAR 2018 challenged the headquarters to operate and plan within the framework of a demanding scenario with inputs and implications at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
With a complex scenario developed by JWC and incidents similar to what could be expected in a future crisis operation, the headquarters must consider a variety of concerns and inputs while working towards a solution to its operational dilemmas.
Pictures from TRIDENT JAGUAR 2018 - NRDC-GR
For more pictures visit JWC's Facebook page at facebook.com/NATO.JWC