Brunssum, The Netherlands – General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, Commander, Joint Force Command Brunssum, visited NATO Multinational Battlegroup Poland and Soldiers from United States Army V Corps at 19 May 2023, while they were engaged together in Exercise GRIFFIN SHOCK.
Joint Force Command Brunssum, as NATO's operational command, is spearheading the implementation of the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Madrid from 2022 to strengthen forces on NATO's eastern flank
General Miglietta was welcomed by Lieutenant General John Kolasheski, Commander of US V Corps and the Commander of NATO Multinational Division North East, Major General Zenon Brzuszko.
Exercise GRIFFIN SHOCK is a combined training event that involves the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Poland, elements from United States Army V Corps, MNC NE, and Multinational Division North East (MND NE). The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, readiness, and combat capabilities of the participating forces.
During his visit, General Miglietta observed various training activities, such as live-fire exercises, urban operations, and air defence drills. He also met with the commanders and soldiers of NATO Multinational Battlegroup Poland and the other participating Nations. On this occasion, he expressed his appreciation for their professionalism and dedication.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in this exercise for a job well done. Exercises like this are sending a strong message of solidarity and assure us and our adversary of our capabilities”, General Miglietta said.
He also praised the successful execution of Exercise GRIFFIN SHOCK and highlighted its importance for NATO’s adaptation and responsiveness.
“The purpose of Exercise Griffin Shock 23-1 was to show how this expansion from a NATO Battlegroup – initially created under enhanced Forward Presence – into a capable Forward Land Forces Brigade might look like. Secondly the Exercise was aimed to show the ability of the U.S. Army to rapidly reinforce its Units on the ground and conduct Division shaping operations through digital fire systems”, he added.
General Miglietta also emphasized the special significance of JFC Brunssum, the strategic significance of Poland and the importance for the transatlantic collaboration for NATO’s security and stability in the region.
“Joint Force Command Brunssum, as NATO's operational command, is spearheading the implementation of the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Madrid from 2022 to strengthen forces on NATO's eastern flank,” said General Miglietta. “Here at the Bemowo Piskie training area in north-eastern Poland, we are demonstrating with the Griffin Shock exercise, a combined US-NATO exercise, how the NATO battlegroup in Poland is being upgraded to a NATO land forces brigade. This will not only strengthen our Polish allies. We are also significantly strengthening the transatlantic bond and the collective deterrence in our area of operations.”
The NATO Multinational Battlegroup Poland is a multinational force composed of units from Croatia, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. Their mission is to contribute to and strengthen the NATO Alliance’s deterrence and defensive posture in Poland. They operate in concert with the host nation’s 15th Mechanized Brigade headquartered in Giżycko, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship.