North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations/Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
November 5, 2013
STEADFAST JAZZ – AIRCREW TESTED DURING COMBAT FLYING MISSIONS
Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office
STEADFAST JAZZ, Poland: Flying operations based out of Poznan-Krzesiny Airbase in Poznan, Poland started on Tuesday, 5 November 2013, during Exercise Steadfast Jazz, the biggest NATO exercise since 2006. During the live air exercise about forty jets will execute combined air operations in Polish airspace in the northwestern part of the country and southern Baltics. The pilots will face complex offensive as well as defensive missions to prepare themselves for any future challenges.
Twice a day jets from Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland will takeoff from Poznan-Krzesiny airbase. The participating aircraft in Steadfast Jazz will be controlled by the Air Component Command in Warsaw, Poland. The main focus during this exercise will be maintaining air readiness and interoperability as well as certifying the NATO Response Force for operations.
“Steadfast Jazz is a perfect example of bringing together common skills and it’s a perfect way to test and improve our command and control system,” said Major-General Jan Sliwka, Commander of the Air Operations Center in Warsaw. “To plan, execute and debrief these combined air operations in a multinational environment gives a lot of benefits and keeps the interoperability at the highest level. These live flying missions allow our airmen and women to master their professionalism,” he said.
The flight line of this Polish airbase will be filled with Hungarian JAS 39’s, Czech Republic L-159’s and Polish F-16 fighter jets. In addition, the Czech Republic will operate JAS 39’s from their home base in Czaslav, and Poland will fly MiG-29 and Su-22 fighter jets from Swidwin and Malbork air bases. The French KC-135 operating from 33 Airlift Base in Powidz will conduct air-to-air refueling operations. Germany will fly the C-160 transport aircraft from Swidwin air base and the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) E-3A will operate from its home base in Geilenkirchen, Germany.
The realistic scenario will also challenge the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) who provide support in directing aircraft onto ground targets. These close air support missions are comparable with the missions NATO nations face on a daily basis during the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Although the mission there is winding down, this capability remains essential.
To test the Air Forces in the full range of potential future tasks, the scenario also integrates threats from Maritime Forces. The participating ships in the Maritime portion of the exercise will be fully integrated into the scenario. That means that the pilots can expect attacks from the ships and vice-versa.
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
November 5, 2013
STEADFAST JAZZ 2013: JOINT AIR COORDINATION – ON TIME, ON TARGET
Story by Capitaine Virginie Bonne
Public Affairs Officer
Rapid Reaction Corps-France RRC-FR
Within any large combined joint military exercise one thing is certain. There are many moving parts – soldiers, artillery, trucks, tanks, ships, submarines and aircraft. Keeping all the parts moving in the right direction safely and effectively requires constant coordination.
To ensure airborne effects are delivered on time and where needed there is an Air Operations Control Centre permanently integrated into the Headquarters Rapid Reaction Corps – France (HQ RRC- FR). Within the command post of the land component command during the exercise Steadfast Jazz 2013, this cell has a key role to ensure the effective planning and coordination of air operations missions and provides technical expertise. Seven personnel from different military specialties (air defence, controller or carrier) are involved in this exercise and provide liaison for the air component.
In operation, a coordination meeting is held daily with land, air, Special Forces and maritime components. The purpose of this meeting is for the AOCC to update the command post, to deal with requests for air support and transport logistics for the next 24 hours, and manage missions out to 48 hours.
Exercise Steadfast Jazz 2013 is taking place from 2-9 November 2013 in a number of Alliance nations including the Baltic States and Poland. The purpose of the exercise is to train and test the NATO Response Force, a highly ready and technologically advanced multinational force made up of land, air, maritime and special forces components that the Alliance can deploy quickly wherever needed. The Steadfast series of exercises are part of NATO’s efforts to maintain connected and interoperable forces at a high-level of readiness.
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