• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Reserve Unit Hosts NATO Operational Planning Process Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070419-11
Release Date: 4/19/2007 5:42:00 PM

By Cmdr. Jeff McAtee, Navy Operational Support Center Battle Creek Public Affairs

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (NNS) -- Supreme Allied Command Transformation (SACT) Detachment 113 will reprise last year’s training exercise to familiarize military Reservists from around the nation with NATO’s Operational Planning Process (OPP) on April 21-22, at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.

As many as 35 Reservists will be able to attend the event which is designed to demystify NATO OPP, used by all NATO personnel in peace support operations. OPP is similar to the United States deliberate planning process outlined in the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System.

Capt. Jeff Smith, commanding officer of SACT Det. 113, said NATO OPP training is invaluable for any officer filling a staff position on a joint task force.

"We will provide all attendees the tools to plan, either deliberately or in a crisis, any complex mission ranging from an offensive operation to humanitarian assistance," Smith said.

The training will be facilitated by instructors from the U.S. Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk led by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brigit Powell, who is an advanced joint professional education instructor.

Being proficient in NATO processes and methodology is essential for SACT Reservists. They support both Strike Force NATO in Naples, Italy, and the Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway.

"Knowing what our counterparts are doing and how they do it allows smooth transition into the team once we are mobilized, for instance to ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan," said Capt. T.C. Skeels, SACT 113's executive officer. "Since the process is similar to the United States Deliberate Planning Process, non-NATO Reservists benefit by getting experience in joint planning."

With today’s uncertain global environment, the Navy’s top leaders have stated Reservists can expect to be called to serve at least one year out of six. Events like this are a way to train key personnel and at the same time increase the level of troop readiness.

Further, building international partnerships, military-to-military contacts, and enhancing transparency is key to U.S. strategic success in the 21st century.