Interview with LtCol Henrik Graven Nielsen, a Chief Plans in Joint Operations Center of MNC NE
Compact Eagle, which will be held from 31 of October until 11 of November 2005 is extremely important! Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) is a young Headquarters, and the Full Operational Capability Exercise (FOC) can be considered as the second major milestone in our history. The first one was the build - up and integration of the Corps here in Szczecin and we can already look ahead to our third major milestone – which potentially will be the deployment to a mission abroad.
2) What is the purpose of the Exercise Compact Eagle 2005 (CE05)?
The purpose of the Compact Eagle Exercise is to train HQ MNC NE in high intensity warfighting scenario, operational planning, command and control at the tactical level. Furthermore the Exercise Compact Eagle 2005 is important for reaching full operational capability by the Headquarters. Passing FOC is mandatory for MNC NE to execute the plan of possible deployment in Afghanistan as of August 2007.
3) There will be several nations participating in Exercise, and approx. 3700 soldiers using 850 computers – how will you overcome problems connected with integration and internal cooperation during exercise among soldiers from so many countries, with various English proficiency and experience?
MNC NE has just celebrated its 6 years birthday. During this period of time the Headquarters has worked on the integration, structure and procedures and has developed a system of basic manning supplemented with personnel from the others nations. During CE05 soldiers will be integrated in their role via a centralized introduction and decentralized training in the different elements of our structure.
4) Command Post Exercise (CPX) 3 was a part of annual training program on the way towards the NATO Exercise Compact Eagle 05 - how can you describe the efficiency of it.
One of the most important elements of CPX 3 is the idea to train and to integrate our personnel from the three different categories: Peace Establishment, Crisis Establishment and Emergency Establishment. The efficiency of this exercise is based on a Lessons Learned Process, where our own experience can be combined with external evaluation During CE 05 the evaluation team from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE) will provide the Field Headquarters with the procedural and organizational advice to change or improve our structure and procedures.
5) What was the most important lesson learned that should be derived from the CPX3?
The Exercise gave MNC NE a lot of experience concerning the practice of the various procedures. All participating personnel including parts of the Exercise Control Structure were familiarized with their tasks, procedures and responsibilities in the Field Headquarters. The new field structure proved to function very well. This might be the most valuable outcome from the CPX3 Exercise prior to Compact Eagle 05 and reaching the “full operational capability” status.
*LtCol Henrik Graven Nielsen is a Chief Plans in Joint Operations Center of MNC NE. He is responsible for planning and developing various corps’ exercise and activities.
The interview was conducted by Monika Warkocz.
