First of all, I would like you to introduce yourself to our audience?
I am Lieutenant-colonel Luis Maurino from the Spanish air force, assigned to the Allied Air Component Command Izmir in Turkey., I am the officer with primary responsibility (OPR) for this exercise .
How long have you been working on Noble Ardent?
You would easily understand that planning an exercise is a complex and long process. In NATO standards, around twelve months of preparation are required. I started working on the project one year ago, by the end of 2007.
What is exactly your current role?
I am the chief of the Exercise Control team (EXCON). My role can’t be understood without taking in consideration the position of SITCEN chief,, Maj. Thoben. Both of us are actually working as though we were a single person . I am more focused in the exercise overall execution and to ensure everything goes in according with planning. He is focused in internal coordination of EXCON.
Can you give us an insight of the EXCON organization ?
EXCON is constantly developing and modifying the situation generating inputs in a timely manner and trying to keep a coherent scenario that can be understood by the Training Audience. The goal of this is to create an operational environment to support their activities. Additionally, we create a number of smaller situations to orient the FRA-JFACC to employ air assets in a responsive way to get the maximum training benefits for the units (you can find further details about EXCON organization in Noble Ardent newsletter n°2.)
Do you face any difficulties regarding the coordination between EXCON and the French JFACC?
Not at all. This cooperation has been excellent not only during the execution, but also during the planning. We have been working together for months in an excellent atmosphere.and as a result of that we produced an accurate and complete plan to support the execution. Also, from the beginning of the exercise, the French Real Life Suport has been outstanding.
EXCON is the part of the exercise where multi-nationality is most represented, can you confirm this point
?
Yes indeed, EXCON is finest example of multinationality in NAT 08. It is composed of nationalities. from different NATO members. These staff have deployed not only from CC-Air Izmir, but also from several other NATO HQs, such as JFC Naples, JC Lisbon, and subordinate elements, such as CAOC 5 (Poio Renatico) and TUR AOCC. We should keep in mind that this exercise is actively and officially participated by eight NATO countries.
After a week of exercise, how do you assess the exercise is progressing so far?
I am fully satisfied; I think that our main objective was to provide the French JFACC and units with a realistic scenario in order to train. I think this is running perfectly, up to our expectations They are having the opportunity to detect mistakes and deficiencies and to make corrections. This is what an exercise is intended for. I am sure we will experience a very successful exercise.
The Alliance structure encompasses three levels of command : strategic, operational and tactical. This command structure is
based on a functional organisation rather than geographical.
The two most significant commands of Brunssum and Naples, are capable of conducting combined joint operations covering the
whole range of the Alliance missions. Lisbon command, steadily established but limited in size is capable of leading one or more operations of smaller scale. For instance, currently Brunssum
stands as the International Security Assistance Force ISAF headquarters. Naples directs NATO-led operations in Balkans. Lisbon was in charge of the humanitarian relief operation led by the NRF 5
in Pakistan.
Hundreds of people and months of preparation were required to organise the unique NATO live exercise of 2008... From
English