STAVANGER, Norway – The computer-assisted/command post exercise (CAX/CPX) STEADFAST JACKAL 2023 (STJA23) kicked off on November 28, 2023.
STJA23 is a Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)-sponsored exercise at the operational and tactical levels to train and evaluate Eurocorps as a NATO Joint Task Force (JTF) Headquarters for 2024.
The secondary training audiences of the exercise include the Spanish Logistics Brigade, serving as the Joint Logistics Support Group (JLSG), and the Spanish Joint Force Air Component (JFAC).
Directed by the Joint Warfare Centre (JWC), STJA23 aims to test Eurocorps in planning and conducting a non-Article 5 crisis response operation beyond NATO’s borders, focusing on the land, air, and cyberspace domains. The exercise’s small joint operations scenario is aligned with NATO’s 360-degree approach to security and addresses key challenges facing NATO’s Strategic Direction-South.
Major General Piotr Malinowski, Commander JWC, delivered opening remarks on November 28 to announce the beginning of the STJA23 exercise.
STJA23 involves over 800 participants from 18 NATO member nations. Additionally, numerous international partners from seven nations, including Jordan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan are invited to observe the exercise to ensure military transparency and foster dialogue and cooperation.
Lieutenant Colonel James, the JWC’s lead planner for STJA23, explained the significance of the exercise, highlighting that it was designed to provide an excellent venue for rehearsing NATO’s preparedness for out-of-area crisis response and contingencies.
James said: “NATO stands ready to face any threat, whether conventional or hybrid. STEADFAST JACKAL 2023 allows NATO allies and partners, international and non-governmental organizations, and civil authorities to come together to increase preparedness for collective and rapid response to an out-of-area crisis.”
He added: “As a land-heavy joint headquarters, Eurocorps will exercise a wide range of capabilities, including conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, counterterrorism, strategic communications, as well as cyber defence and environmental security.”
During the exercise, the Exercise Control (EXCON) Forward organization, which includes the JWC’s Advisory Team, will be located at Spanish Joint Force Air Component Headquarters in Torrejon Spain.
Additionally, an exercise Distinguished Visitor Day will be held at the JWC involving high-ranking personnel from several NATO countries.
STJA23 concludes NATO’s STEADFAST JACKAL series of exercises, which has begun in 2019 with NATO Rapid Deployable Corps–Spain serving as the first training audience.
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