Working with our allies allows us to train together to design, plan and then conduct operations
Deployment on very short notice
The projection capability of a military force is a key element of operational superiority. It requires the ability to deploy people and equipment quickly to guarantee an effective military response. To achieve this, a military force relies on a range of complementary logistical resources, as illustrated by France. The deployment of French soldiers and around fifty tactical vehicles was multimodal, using rail, air and road. These well-honed logistical capabilities ensured that the French task force had full operational capacity to intervene and integrate into the ARF's operations alongside the British brigade.
The deployment of the ARF also strengthens interoperability between allies. Among the precursors to the deployment, Captain Paul, who has been assigned as liaison officer to Brigadier General Watson, has been tasked to ensure the smooth running of the manoeuvre: "Working with our allies allows us to train together to design, plan and then conduct operations", "synchronising our action and achieving the major effect expected by the Alliance, ensuring collective defence, especially with the Romanians, the Spanish and the British here".
Providing permanent support and with direct access to the commander and operations chief, the liaison officers seek out opportunities for cross-training between allies and work on preparing orders for the beginning of the exercise.
A quick rise to full operational capability
At the beginning of February, most of the battlegroup - the combat companies and the tactical command post (CP) - arrived in Romania and moved to the Cincu camp. The essential work then began to ensure a quick rise to full operational capability.
According to OR-9 Christophe, in charge of network deployment, management and communications security, the signal teams began their deployment by ‘accurately selecting the frequencies that could be used in the host country, with the aim of preparing for the digitalisation of the battlefield’. Less than 48 hours after their deployment, the soldiers have a digital chain of command, from the combatant in the field to the task force headquarters. In addition, the SCORPION combat system offers the advantage of tracking the position of friendly forces and sharing reports from the battlefield.
At the same time, British teams have been deployed to extend NATO's integrated command networks from the operational to the tactical level, to ensure that General Watson can transmit his orders directly to the Spanish and French units under his command. By operating together, the allied forces are putting their procedures to the test, demonstrating their ability to defend every inch of Alliance territory together.
Without losing time, the combat company paratroopers quickly took over their equipment and vehicles and carried out the first recce operations. This led to the design of ‘’field baptisms ‘’ (test runs) shared between allies, to ensure the proper coordination of firing exercises, tactical manoeuvres and the fair distribution of areas of responsibility.