SECURING THE NORTHEASTERN BORDERLANDS
By CIV Marta KARPINSKA ( POL ), MNC-NE Public Affairs Office .
Urban fighting in Skrunda , Letonia .
18,000 troops from 19 different countries participated in exercise “ Saber Strike 2018 ” ( SbS18 ) held throughout Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania and Poland on 3-15 June . This periodic U . S . Army Europe-led training covered the majority of the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast ( HQ MNC NE ) Area of Operations and was actively supported by the Szczecin-based command . As such , “ Saber Strike 2018 ” has highlighted HQ MNC NE ’ s readiness and capability to deploy anywhere in the Baltic region in support of NATO ’ s commitment
to this territory . “ Saber Strike 2018 ” ( SbS18 ) has been designed to enhance readiness and interoperability among Allies and regional partners . Given its geostrategic location , expertise and high-readiness capabilities , Headquarters Multi-National Corps Northeast took on the role of Higher Control ( HICON ) for a number of subordinated units participating in SbS18 , such as the 1st U . S . Infantry Division , 12th Polish Mechanized Brigade and , last but not least , Multinational Division Northeast . The newly established division headquarters is
scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2018 ; it will complete the chain of command that goes from the four enhanced Forward Presence ( eFP ) Battle Groups up to HQ MNC-NE .
“ We used the exercise as an opportunity to coach , mentor and evaluate their ability to conduct multifaceted NATO operations . This is a significant part of the Alliance ’ s overall mission of deterrence in the Baltic region .” – said Brigadier General John E . Novalis , Deputy Chief of Staff Operations , MNC NE .
Operating out of the Initial Command Element set up in the woodlands near Riga , roughly 100 personnel fulfilled the tasks necessary to efficiently command and control the multinational portions of the exercise . Having reached the highest level of readiness in June 2017 , HQ MNC NE is capable of conducting land operations across the full spectrum of conventional , unconventional and hybrid warfare scenarios .
“ As we always pay a lot of attention to adaptation and consolidation , it was important for us to act in a commanding role .”
BG John E . NOVALIS , Latvian Chief of Defence Leonids KADNINS and LTG Manfred HOFMANN .
30 LAND POWER