Oct 18 2021

Northern Europe Operational Update Week 40

Brunssum, The Netherlands – In Latvia, French soldiers from NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Estonia took part in a multinational combined arms demonstration alongside eFP Battlegroup Latvia.

This significant demonstration of firepower included live firing by Leclerc tanks as well as small arms and anti-tank weapons. It also provided the opportunity for soldiers from the two Battlegroups to share their experiences of deployment on a NATO mission.

In Lithuania, heavy artillery from Battlegroup Lithuania's 10th rotation demonstrated its vital contribution to Alliance defence. During exercise BALTIC VIKING on the Lithuanian coast, artillerymen delivered fire support both day and night with their Panzerhaubitze 2000s. They worked in collaboration with Battlegroup Joint Fire Support Teams, who coordinated the artillery fire by observing impacts in the target area.

Meanwhile, NATO headquarters' across Northern Europe conducted a period of Battlestaff Training (BST) ahead of next week's Command Post Exercise, Ex STEADFAST JUPITER 21. This exercise will certify these headquarters enabling them to assume command roles within the NATO Response Force (NRF) 2022 Structure. Headquarters taking part include Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) and subordinate Commands.

One of the subordinate Commands, Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC(NE)), comments on the outcome of the BST:

"In the run-up to the exercise, it helped our leadership identify shortfalls and best practices as well as make necessary adjustments for the upcoming evaluation. The MNCNE Command is ready to demonstrate the ability to perform all mandated functions"