TALLINN, Estonia - 14,000 troops from 11 NATO Allies and partners trained the rapid reinforcement by NATO forces at the Alliance's Eastern Flank. Exercise Spring Storm, the large-scale Estonian led military exercise ended on May 26.
The largest annual military exercise in Estonia enhanced the cooperation between the Estonian Defence Forces and Allies, including Canada, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, howitzers, as well as fighter aircraft, helicopters and patrols, minesweepers and landing vessels take part in the drills.
During the exercise, taking place from May 15th to 26th, the Estonian Defence Forces will assess the synchronization of battle plans, cooperation between different levels of command, and unit readiness for carrying out combat tasks. Planned activities of the exercise primarily take place in Northern Estonia. (Photos: Estonian Defence Forces)
But what does all this have to do with JSEC?
Exercises, like Spring Storm in Estonia, help the Alliance to refine their nations’ cooperation capabilities and underline necessary collaboration overlaps. These are the prerequisite for a functioning structure of trust and cohesion. The Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC) builds on the strong bond of the Alliance and uses the common understanding of the member nations for its very own mission.
On a permanent basis, and always in close cooperation with its Allies and relying on the cooperation of the individual countries, JSEC collects data from these NATO member nations. These details include physical assets like infrastructure, installations and connections, areas of reception, transition or staging, both military and civilian and also functional aspects like contracts, national laws and regulations, medical support, cyber, security and force protection. The compiled information makes up the basic requirements for the movement of troops, materiel and supplies, including securing their availability and functionality.
The then established Reinforcement and Sustainment Network (RSN) covers the Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s (SACEUR) Area of Responsibility. This network sets the theater to facilitate the enablement of the Alliance in order to reinforce and sustain military forces in the Euro-Atlantic Area with a 360 degrees approach.
In effect, JSEC is to operationalize a multi-domain network in SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) to facilitate the enablement of the Alliance in order to reinforce and sustain military forces in the Euro-Atlantic area with a 360 degree approach..
JSEC, in a coordinating role, supports the swift reinforcement by forces, to wherever needed, and their sustainment - in close cooperation with the NATO member nations. As Domain advisor for enablement and sustainment, the Headquarters also advises SACEUR on logistics, reinforcement by forces and enablement.
An efficient headquarters - always ready
All JSEC efforts aim to continuously improve and enhance the effective and efficient enablement and thereby provide added value and respective synergies to the Alliance.
By efficiently fulfilling its mission, JSEC enhances effectiveness within NATO and influences perceptions of Alliance readiness and credibility.
This effectiveness and efficiency of enablement is called ‘EFFICIENT – EFFECTIVE – ENABLEMENT’, or in short: E³… JSEC’s brand.