On November 2 NATO Response Forces (NRF) exercise STEADFAST JAZZ 2013 kicked off. The complex exercise comprising both, tactical training and command post element, involves approximately 300 Lithuanian military personnel deployed across exercise sites in Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Norway alongside NATO troops.
Exercise STEADFAST JAZZ 2013 will put to test readiness of the contingent which will be on standby with the NATO Response Force next year to respond to crises. In the context of this NATO exercise NRF forces will also train completing collective defence tasks.
The exercise is also aimed at certifying readiness of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Brunssum (the Netherlands) to deliver command and control as operational command of the NATO Response Force next year.
For the first time large-scale NATO's exercise STEADFAST JAZZ is integrated with a Host Nation Support (HNS) exercise BALTIC HOST 2013 annually held by the Baltic States. Civilian and military representatives of the Baltic States will drill interoperability and cooperation with other NATO institutions when ensuring HNS for the forces the allies would contribute in case of a potential crisis.
In total, STEADFAST JAZZ 213 will involve over 6,000 military personnel from NATO members and partner nations.
The Lithuanian company (approximately 140 members) is involved in LIVEX from Drawsko Pomorskie Training Range, Poland, in composition of the multinational battalion (NATO Response Force, in other words). Lithuanian military assigned to NRF air control parties will join them.
10 Lithuanian staff officers and civilians and several additional troops ensuring NATO communications with Lithuania take part in in the exercise portion at Adazi Training Range (Latvia) where NATO's JFC HQ and exercise control element is deployed.
At Pabradės Training Range of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Lithuanian troops will ensure support to an Italian Joint Special Forces Operations Headquarters.
Several Lithuanian staff officers will be delegated to take part in the exercise from NATO's Joint Warfare Centre in Norway.
The NATO Response Force (NRF) is a highly ready and technologically advanced multinational NATO force manned by NATO member states on a rotational basis. NRF is composed of military units assigned by NATO member states which conduct high readiness stand-by in their permanent deployment locations and maintain readiness to deploy into the area of operations within a designated period of time in case a decision to activate the NRF was made. In such case the NRF rotation of stand-by would be able to deploy into the area of operations within five days. Political authorisation to use the NATO Response Force, formed from land, air, maritime and special forces components, is given by the North Atlantic Council.
As NATO gradually winds down the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan, the NRF is crucial for maintaining NATO forces interoperable.
Information for the Media:
Distinguished Visitor and Media Day for STEADFAST JAZZ 2013 will take place on: November 6 at Adazi Training Area, Latvia, And on November 7 at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Range, Poland.
Interview opportunities with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and leaders of other participating nations in attendance will be provided.
Media registration POC for participation (till November 4): email: pasqualedibisceglie.jfcb@gmail.com (a filled out accreditation request should be sent).
Individual feedbacks regarding accreditation will be sent to each applicant. Only those accredited will be able to access the vents.
Contact information:
NATO MEDIA INFORMATION CENTRE LATVIA
Lieutenant Colonel Pasquale DI BISCEGLIE
Email: pasqualedibisceglie.jfcb@gmail.com
Mobile (+31) 651 039 916
LITHUANIA'S MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE
POINT OF CONTACT IN LATVIA
First Lieutenant Ieva GULBINIENĖ
Email: ieva.gulbiniene@gmail.com
Mobile: (+370) 686 00 655
LATVIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE POINT OF CONTACT
Mrs Daina Ozolina
Email: daina.ozolina@mod.gov.lv
Mobile: (+371) 26 174 707
More information with regard to STEADFAST JAZZ 2013 at: http://www.jfcbs.nato.int/jfcbrunssum/steadfast-jazz-13/overview.aspx
Photos 1-5: day I at the NATO JFC HQ deployed in Adazi Training Area.
By Gatis Diezins (Latvia)
Photos 6-7: Opening Ceremony, Drawsko Pomorskie Training Range, Poland.
By PV2 Vilius Džiavečka (Lithuania)
