North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Transformation
June 18, 2015
A “Noble Jump” for NATO’s Spearhead Force
German contingent in Exercise Noble Jump 2015
The strength and readiness of NATO’s Forces were publically demonstrated during Exercise Noble Jump 2015 in Zagan, Poland between 9 and 18 June 15.
The Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), General Jean-Paul Paloméros, was joined by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Philip Breedlove, to attend this training event, aimed at testing and validating the Spearhead Force. Part of the Allied Shield series of exercises taking place in June throughout the eastern part of Europe, Exercise Noble Jump involved over 2,100 troops from nine nations. Focusing on fast deployment and readiness, the exercise continued the process of testing and refining the newly-formed Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), also known as the ‘Spearhead Force’ in the framework of part of the NATO Response Force (NRF).
“This exercise is just part of a strong initiative which began two years ago and reinforced in Wales with the Readiness Action Plan and the VJTF,” said General Paloméros as he addressed the press, command and dignitaries from the participating nations in Zagan. “Today is the mark of the determination of NATO, of the allies, to regain on readiness, to reemphasize credibility, and on the full spectrum of its missions, including high intensity operations.”
The 2014 Wales Summit agreed on a Readiness Action Plan (RAP) to ensure that the Alliance is ready to respond swiftly and firmly to new security challenges, arising on the uncertain borders of the Allied countries. Exercise Noble Jump 2015 represents the first time that the multinational interim Spearhead Force has been deployed and conducted tactical manoeuvres under the new VJTF framework and the updated Connected Force Initiative (CFI).
While a significant milestone in the development of the RAP, Exercise Noble Jump is just one demonstration of NATO’s Forces during 2015. “This year, NATO member nations will contribute to more than 300 exercises. This number has tripled in two years.” said General Paloméros.
Noble Jump is just one of the exercises in the enhanced NRF and VJTF conceptual build-up. The next important milestone this year is Exercise Trident Juncture 2015 (TRJE15). This exercise distributed throughout Europe and North America will take place in October and November 2015. The main training locations will be hosted in 3 NATO countries (Italy, Portugal and Spain) and will involve more than 30,000 military personnel from over 30 NATO member and partner nations. TRJE15 will prepare, test, evaluate and certify the NRF and VJTF concepts and enhance competency and interoperability at the operational and tactical levels of their constituting units. As any long haul endeavour, NRF and VJTF will further develop in 2016 their adaptive capabilities, their conceptual developments and their readiness.
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