NRDC-ITA has taken an important step in the build-up towards certification as a Joint HQ following a successful two weeks of intensive training in Exercise EAGLE BLADE 14, in February 2014.
Around 750 servicemen and women from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Military Police took part in the Exercise, which was based in the Ugo Mara Barracks, Solbiate Olona, and in the Air Force Base in Cameri, Novara.
In addition to HQ NRDC-ITA, participants included five Italian combat brigades (Friuli, Taurinense, Folgore, Julia and Pinerolo) and four combat support brigades (RISTA, Anti-aircraft, Engineers and Artillery), as well as Armed Forces coming from 14 different nations.
After months of preparation, they were able to test Command and Control procedures in a joint operational environment, involving different capabilities such as manoeuver, logistics, civil-military cooperation, government cooperation, international and humanitarian organizations, and interaction with local and international media.
Currently, NRDC-ITA is working and training to prepare for its forthcoming NATO commitments, which include future responsibility as a Joint Task Force (Land) HQ in 2015, in addition to the traditional roles of Land Component or Corps Command.
Exercise EAGLE BLADE 14 provided NRDC-ITA with its first opportunity to test and trial the structures and processes it has been developing in order to fulfill this new role as a Joint Task Force HQ designed to command Small Joint Operations with a Land focus.
The HQ must be ready to be certified as ‘fit for purpose’ in this role in October 2014.