Today, October 15, the NATO-wide command post exercise Steadfast Duel 26 concluded. The exercise tested the functioning of NATO’s command structures and chains of command and rehearsed the implementation of defence plans.
“The scale of the exercise and the number of different participants involved were impressive. Rehearsing defence plans and their implementation in this way provides valuable experience and lessons learned for us, our Allies and the civilian authorities responsible for ensuring the country’s defence and all related activities when necessary,” said Major General Vahur Karus, Chief of Staff of the Joint Headquarters and the Estonian exercise director.
In Estonia, the main focus of the exercise was on rehearsing the procedures of the Estonian Defence Forces Headquarters’ command post and testing information-sharing and coordination chains between headquarters at different levels of NATO. Various Estonian Defence Forces units, Allied forces, the NATO staff element in Estonia, the Estonian Defence League, as well as various government agencies, ministries and security services participated in the exercise in Estonia.
“Afther the exercise, we are certainly in a better position than before. We know what we are good at and where we still need to improve. We also have a better understanding of the situations in which we need to rely on the expertise and capabilities of partner organisations, and how to do so,” Major General Karus added.
Steadfast Duel 26 took place from 6 to 15 October under the direction of NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre, based in Norway. Military and civilian representatives from all 32 NATO member states participated in the command post exercise.
