Trident Juncture 2015

The NATO E-3A Component participated in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Trident Juncture 2015 exercise with two E-3A aircraft, deployed to FOB Trapani, Italy from 16 Oct. to 6 Nov.

Maj. Rodney Lammert, NAEW& C Force Tactical Director explains, "Trident Juncture 2015 (TJ15) has been an excellent exercise from many different points of view, but specifically from a Command and Control (C2) point, we have had the opportunity to successfully hone nearly every mission set we – the NAEW&C Force - have, from Tactical Battle Management, C2, Control of Offensive Counter Air (OCA), Defensive Counter Air (DCA), Airborne Air Refuelling (AAR), Close Air Support (CAS), Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), and Maritime Surveillance. Furthermore, TJ15 presented the opportunity for aircrews from AWACS, fighters, tankers, CAS, SEAD, Intel and multiple support agencies to brief and mission plan face-to-face and then execute the mission with precision has proven invaluable and extremely beneficial to all aircrews.”

"This exercise teaches us how to work together better and more efficiently,” says Lt. Col. Massimo Simotti, FOB Trapani commander. "Team work, sharing experience, hard work and significant work-loads helped us to build self-confidence and mutual support.”

The exercise is taking place in Italy, Portugal and Spain on October 3 through November 6. This event is a flagship activity for NATO’s Connect Forces Initiative and the largest exercise conducted by the Alliance activity since 2002. The exercise has two parts—a Command Post Exercise and a Live Exercise.

During the Command Post Exercise, commands and controls operational air assets in a fabricated scenario. The mission is in support of Joint Force Command Brunssum as the command and control joint forces and demonstrates the capabilities of the NATO Response Force during non-Article V operations.

Air forces will be conducting tactical-level training during the live portion of the exercise. More than 200 aircraft from Allied and Partners are involved. Participants conducted air-to-air training and flew in large multinational formations.

Trident Juncture 2015 involves 36,000 personnel from more than 30 Allied and Partner Nations. The exercise demonstrates NATO’s new increased level of ambition in joint modern warfare and showcases a capable, forward-leading Alliance equipped with the appropriate capability and capacity to meet present and future security challenges ahead.

"Lastly, the successful integration, coordination, and mission accomplishment of airborne, naval, ground and Special Forces during TJ15 is a verification of the professionalism, purposeful and rewarding work NATO forces realise every day as we prepare for NRF 2016,” Maj. Lammert said.

NATO is enhancing its readiness and flexibility in response to a changed security environment and to challenges from the south and the east. This exercise is part of this effort.

At the end of Trident Juncture 2015, the Headquarters Staff from Joint Force Command Brunssum will be officially certified to lead the NATO’s Response Force, if activated throughout 2016.

"Trident Juncture was a unique opportunity that made a strong team even stronger,” Lt. Col. Simotti concluded.

Maj. Lammert concluded, "The Italians have been very gracious and accommodating hosts throughout Trident Juncture 2015. It’s not every day you have in upwards of ninety NATO military aircraft taking-off from Trapani Runways successfully executing their mission sets and returning back to FOB Trapani for twenty days. So, we do appreciate the local communities support.”