Minus approaches to ports to open the way for convoys with military and humanitarian assistance. And all at a circumstantial time – this was the task of the participants of the "Dynamic decision 26-1" exercise. In the Belgian Ostend, representatives of over 20 countries, including Poland, trained utilizing a specially designed computer system.
One European country intends to join NATO. He is close to accession, but his plans at all costs want to thwart a powerful neighbor. The war is on the line. The Alliance decides to support its partner and send troops to his territory, and besides humanitarian aid. The transfer should take place by sea. The problem is that the routes to the ports have been blocked. In order for the surgery to succeed, it should be cleaned in a short time.
This was how the preliminary script "Dynamic decision 26-1" presented itself. The exercises have traditionally been organized by MARCOM, the Natovian command of the naval forces, and the host was the Naval Academy in Belgian Ostend. The task was attended by mine combat specialists from over 20 countries. The majority were NATO representatives, but they were trained by seafarers from partner countries – Australia and fresh Zealand. They were joined by observers from Ukraine, Georgia and Colombia. In Ostend, Poles besides practiced – members of the SNMCMG1 staff, the Natatian mine defence team, which presently operates from the deck ORP ‘Contradmiral Xavery Czernicki’ (Polish sailors operate under the PKW “Czernicki” quota), as well as officers from the 13th trawlers division.
The participants in the exercises formed units of respective levels. At the very top was the Command Task Force. He was subject to 3 task forces, the CTG (Command Task Group). And he just headed 1 of them kmdr Lt. Casper Sterne, Commander of the said SNMCMG1. He was accompanied by part of the ORP’s ‘Contradmiral Xawery Czernicki’ staff, while the composition of the CTG subordinate to him was supplemented by officers from Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and the USA. – We had to plan an operation to remove mines from the area assigned to us and separate the tasks between the 3 CTUs (Command Task Unit), which is the task units we had at our disposal. In total, they included 28 ships – explains Lieutenant Sterne. This list includes destroyers of mines, trawlers and supply units. They were all created in a computer program, but faithfully reflected the real existing ships.
These task force units operated in an global composition. However, Poles dominated in the first, while in the another 2 – Germany and Lithuania. "After receiving orders from the CTG, we had to delegate tasks to individual ships. Decide erstwhile and precisely where they will be sent, what equipment they will use. And then take action – explains Lieutenant Tomasz Polak from the 13th Trałowiec Division, commander of the “Polish” CTU. The operation was conducted during the time of peace, but its participants faced many adversities. Problems to solve were created by the computer system. And so at sea there were ship malfunctions or mine explosions. The crews had to deal with diversionary actions, and they worked under time pressure. – We had to respond to all unexpected events. Implementing contingency plans, making choices. All of this powerfully enhanced the realism of the actions – admits Mr.
The actions themselves have been large-scale. In addition to the task force commanded by Lieutenant Stern, there were 2 another CTGs on the virtual sea. They were led by officers from Sweden and the United States respectively, and each of them was subject to 3 task force units. Eventually, the operation was successful in bringing about a happy end.
- Impressions? As best as possible – emphasised Mr Polak. “Dynamic Move” was the first time I participated, although the strategy utilized during it had been utilized before, during training in Belgium. It's an excellent tool. The scenarios created with his aid are firmly embedded in the real world. Exercises specified as those in Ostend let you to test your own skills, cognition of procedures, creativity, and to learn from your mistakes, without having to bear costly consequences," he says. According to seafarers, it is besides crucial to be able to operate in global composition. – We all act on the same Natian documents. And during exercises like this, we can juggle them a little. To translate their records into real actions, sharing their own experiences – concludes Mr Sterne.
Exercises "Dynamic Move" are organised twice a year. The winter edition usually takes place in Belgium and summertime in Italy.
