The aim of the training in Stavanger is to promote the continuity of standards and develop mission awareness in an individual soldier. What is more, the exercise is a good opportunity to improve Staff action and cooperation.
Mission Rehearsal Training (MRT) started at Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) in Stavanger, Norway. The exercises are conducted from 9th to 19th October 2006 and they are an important part of the preparations before the deployment in Afghanistan. The aim of the training is to promote the continuity of standards and develop mission awareness in an individual soldier. What is more, the exercise is a good opportunity to improve Staff action and cooperation.
The significance of the training may be proved not only by the number of soldiers going to Norway, which exceeded one hundred, but also by the presence of key leaders from the HQ MNC NE in Norway.
The exercises in Stavanger required a lot of preparation including appropriate accommodation, food supply or necessary computer equipment. Directly before departing for Stavanger, the in – processing took place at HQ MNC NE in Szczecin. This complex in – processing meant to prepare the soldiers not only for this particular training in Stavanger, but also for general deployment, what is crucial especially in the context of upcoming mission in Afghanistan. Even though, not all procedures regarding passports, custom or transport regulations were necessary for Norway, they were implemented to make future deployment in Afghanistan quicker and more efficient.
The in – processing included registration, organization and transport to the airport. The soldiers’ luggage was properly weighted; all documents, passports and security clearances were checked. An important part was to familiarize the soldiers with the Norwegian custom procedures. For example it included a piece of information for smokers concerning the amount of cigarettes that can be legally taken to Norway. For safety reasons a number of objects were prohibited from taking on board, especially those posing threats to passengers, crew or aircraft. All soldiers had to declare that they do not possess e.g. any weapons, various chemical substances as well as non – prescriptive drugs, wet batteries or even materials that may be considered as irritating or offensive.
Finally, after thorough in – processing the soldiers could depart for Stavanger, Norway. Those who stayed at the HQ are awaiting promising results and wishing favourable weather conditions, which are quite possible due to mild climate of this region of Norway.
