Multinational Corps Northeast

From 7 to 9 September 2009, four members from G2 Division of Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) conduct an Intelligence workshop for the 9th Reconnaissance Regiment in Lidzbark Warmiński, north-eastern of Poland.

During the workshop the basis for future cooperation between a unit of the Regiment and HQ MNC NE was discussed. Additionally, the soldiers from Szczecin trained four soldiers from the Regiment who are foreseen to support HQ MNC NE in the next ISAF mission starting in 2010.

Background

Poland plans to affiliate a special unit of the 9th Reconnaissance Regiment to HQ MNC NE by 2012. This unit is going to be an integral element of the HQ and take over Command and Control (C2) tasks over the Intelligence units of the Corps. To reach this capability, a lot of work has to be done. HQ MNC NE G2 Division has been tasked to support this special unit of the Polish Army and provide training. Besides, efficient communication in English, the development of a sufficient NATO compatible structure and task organization are the challenges that C2 Element will face the next two years.

Training team from HQ MNC NE

The training team consisted of two officers and two non-commissioned officers from HQ MNC NE G2 Division under the lead of Lieutenant Colonel Guido Altendorf, German Army. The team set up a sequence of briefings and led very fruitful discussions with the members of Command and Control Element within the 9th Reconnaissance Regiment. "The built up of the C2 element started only several months ago but the level that has been reached so far by the Polish comrades is amazing", Lieutenant Colonel Altendorf summarized his first impressions. Warrant Officer Sander, Danish Army, added, that "especially high level of motivation to face the new challenge and the outstanding hospitality were very impressive".

Activities in Lidzbark Warmiński

Beside the two-day Intelligence workshop, the teambuilding was also among the aims of the visit to the garrison in the north-eastern Poland. The C2 Element organized a typical Polish barbeque and a visit to the Gothic Castle of the Bishops of Warmia, in which the participants received a guided tour. The overall result was summarized by Lieutenant Colonel Altendorf as "a good opportunity to exchange information among experts, to share mission experience from ISAF mission in 2007 and to look forward to the next mission in Afghanistan in 2010". The participants from C2 Element thanked the training team from Szczecin and already invited them for the next workshop to Lidzbark Warmiński.