North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
June 3, 2015
Exercise Steadfast Cobalt tests NATO’s communications systems
WALCZ, Poland: Nearly 1000 NATO personnel are in Walcz, Poland to test the deployable communications and information systems used by elements of the NATO Response Force (NRF) during Exercise Steadfast Cobalt 15.
Troops from over 20 Allied nations are taking part in the two-week exercise, which wraps up on Sunday, 7 June. The exercise is aimed at certifying NATO signals capabilities that will deploy in support of high readiness troops.
With increased readiness times and rapid deployment the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) has required the NATO Communication and Information Group (NCISG) to adapt in order to support such an agile fighting force.
For the first time this exercise introduces advanced communication assets down to the tactical level and in addition to supporting the VJTF, other capabilities such as cyber defence have also been included.
Highlighting the requirement for agile and capable communication systems, Major General Thomas Franz, Commander NCISG said. ‘’with the rapid deployment of the VJTF, all communication systems must be instantly responsive, indeed in some instances operational before any Task Force arrives in location. Commanders at all levels must have a robust and operationally effective system that fully supports Command and Control’’.
Although NCISG has provided deployable communications to support the NRF since 2012, an effective mobile spearhead force demands a new approach.
‘’Although speed of insertion and operation of tailored communication assets has been a major priority of mine on SC15, we have also introduced on Steadfast Cobalt effective procedures to train, test and evaluate new communication structures,’’ said Franz.
‘’The introduction of the Signals Support Group concept and the Deployed Network Operating Centre has added tremendous operational benefit. I have been extremely pleased with our results so far where once again the quality of my personnel and their ability to operate together continues to be a key strength. We are all looking forward to the next opportunity to put our lessons learned and results into effect,’’ he added.
Exercise Steadfast Cobalt 15’s achievements in providing an effective tactical command, control, communication and control structure for NRF16 will be a significant force multiplier. During the upcoming exercise Trident Juncture 2015, to be held in October in Italy, Portugal and Spain, all force components will be tested prior to NRF16 certification.
Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office
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