Sep 24 2024

Three wargames, one exercise - Steadfast Foxtrot 2024 trains nations and NATO entities

ULM, Germany - From September 11 to 18, The Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC) has welcomed over 250 external participants, both military and civilian, from NATO nations and various Allied Command Operations entities for exercise Steadfast Foxtrot 2024 (STFX24) in the Wilhelmsburg Barracks in Ulm. With 24 represented nations, STFX24 was the second largest exercise, national representation wise, in 2024.

Composed of three separate wargames, STFX24, as the only NATO exercise, puts a focus on JSEC’s core tasks of Enablement, Reinforcement by Forces and Sustainment.

This exercise is the main test for JSEC

"This is our daily business. And this exercise is the main test for JSEC. It's time of truth. We are not afraid of challenges or procedures and I especially thank the nations joining us during Steadfast Foxtrot. Without the nations' cooperation, JSEC can't deliver," emphasized JSEC's Deputy Commander, Major General Darius Ryczkowski.

The simulation assisted wargame exercise on strategic and operational level is sponsored by the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and developed by the Joint Warfare Center in Norway. Focusing on NATO’s Regional Defence Plans that were agreed on during 2023’s Vilnius Summit, one of the wargames tests details on how NATO forces would defend different areas of the Alliance, from specific forces and capabilities to levels of readiness required. The second wargame puts JSEC’s Reinforcement and Sustainment Network to a test and thus contributes to an even stronger Alliance.

Over 150 experts and 100 high-ranking representatives visited Joint Support and Enabling Command in Ulm for the execution of Steadfast Foxtrot 2024. Photo: OR-4 Bastian Süpple

Additionally, for the first time, the Joint Warfare Center created a Medical wargame which allows JSEC and all other participants to exercise the patient flow management processes within NATO community. This game puts the theory of the new SHAPE patient flow management guideline into practice and ultimately exercises the

management and optimization of patient movements through close collaboration of all 32 NATO nations. The message is clear: NATO Allies not only fight together but also medically support one another. A prerequisite for credible deterrence and effective defense of the Alliance.

Intensive discussions and strong decisions charactarized the two weeks of the exercise in the Wilhelmsburg Barracks in Ulm. Photo: OR-4 Bastian Süpple

The exercise closed with a Senior Leader Seminar. During the two day event JSEC hosted over 100 high-ranking representatives from NATO nations and entities all eager to challenge and align processes, as well as putting the Reinforcement and Sustainment Network to a test.

We have to keep exercising and training ourselves to stay ready. At anytime

JSEC's Commander, Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, stressed: “It’s a great honor to have all of you here at JSEC. What has been achieved during last week’s wargames is an important step to make NATO even stronger and further enhance our already assured readiness to protect our Alliance. We’re currently testing our mobility areas and strengthen our network of cooperation. I am looking forward to all your input and to collectively develop an understanding of necessary adaptations to our procedures and plans. We have to keep exercising and training ourselves to stay ready. At anytime."

Story by Joint Support and Enabling Command