Exercise Trident Juncture 2015 is underway

MONS, Belgium – Exercise Trident Juncture 2015, NATO’s biggest and most ambitious exercise in over a decade, is underway.

Military and civilian Staff of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, reinforced by augmenting personnel from various commands throughout NATO, started the Command Post Exercise (CPX) portion of the exercise on Saturday, 3 October 2015. This portion of the exercise continues until 16 October and will test the command and control elements of the NATO Response Force (NRF).   It will also assess NATO’s ability to work with external organisations including international bodies and NGO’s.

The Live Exercise (LIVEX) will commence on 21 October in three different host nations: Italy, Portugal and Spain.  It will include a series of dynamic and demanding training events which is designed to train troops and commanding officers, including those from elements of the NRF.

“Trident Juncture 2015 has been designed to ensure that our concepts and procedures will work in the event of a real crisis because our job is to always be prepared to defend the people, territory, and values of this Alliance”, General Hans Lothar Domröse, the Commander of Joint Force Command Brunssum said.

Trident Juncture 2015 will culminate with the certification of the Headquarters Staff from Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum to officially lead the NRF, if activated, throughout 2016.

Over 36,000 personnel from over 30 NATO and partner nations are taking part in the exercise, which includes more than 140 aircraft and 60 ships.  Elements from Land, Air, Maritime, Special Operations and Logistics are participating.