Visit of Director Modeling and Simulation (M&S) COE

 

 

        The Director of the M&S COE (located in Rome, ITA) and his expert-team visited the JCBRN Defence COE 16-18 Apr 2012. The meeting provided a good opportunity to establish a platform for future cooperation with regard to M&S areas of work. The preparation of CBRN scenarios relevant to NATO operations and development of standards for the CBRN aspects of NATO Models were the main topics of discussion between Colonel Mastrorosa, Director M&S COE and Colonel Cizek, Director of the JCBRN Defence COE. Subject Matter Experts from the M&S COE and the M&S Cell of the JCBRN Defence COE discussed detailed coordination in areas of conversion terrain data, creation of 3D models, M&S software federation requirements and mutual support in preparation and execution of computer assisted exercises (CAX).

Both institutions decided to strengthen their official cooperation and especially to lay a foundation for the future collaboration of their M&S Subject Matter Experts, taking full advantage of both institutions M&S capabilities for NATO’s transformation and training needs.

Author: LTC Petr Neuer

Photo:  Mrs. Hana Jurcova

Combined Joint – CBRN Defence Task Force CONOPS Workshop

  

       Responding to a request by Allied Command Operations (ACO), Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate the Joint CBRN Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE) hosted a workshop designed to facilitate revision of the Combined Joint – CBRN Defence Task Force (CJCBRN - TF) CONOPS from 3 to 4 April 2012 in Vyskov, Czech Republic.  Subject Matter Experts from several NATO commands and representatives from many NATO nations critical to the generation of the TF attended the meeting focused on identifying shortfalls in the current CONOPS and offering proposals to eliminate or mitigate any identified capability gaps for inclusion into the next version of the document.

      Workshop attendees worked on an ambitious timeline to address specific issues highlighted by IMS tasker 0048.  All representatives provided informed inputs based on current NATO policies as well as the impending changes in the NATO Command Structure (NCS).  Additionally the JCBRN Def COE experts offered advice on relevant training issues pertaining to the CBRN Joint Advisory Team (CBRN JAT). Proper sequencing and the taught organization of the work schedule ensured continuity in both the lively discussions and drafting of the new concept that will be sent out for staffing and be fully developed in second and third quarter of 2012.

      This meeting demonstrated the significance of “horizontal cooperation” at the working level.  The Joint CBRN Def COE again provided support to ACO based on its program of work and honored a time sensitive request from the operational component of NATO.  In addition, this meeting provides an example of how the JCBRN Def COE bridges the gap between the operational and transformational aspects of NATO.

Author and photos: MAJ Karel Vydra

NNSA – COE Workshop and Training on Nuclear and Radiological Hazard Management and Reachback System

        

     JCBRN Defence COE has been involved in Concept Development and Experimentation (CD&E) since 2010.

     Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is in lead for The CD&E Process as a “tool” which can be activated within the overarching NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP).

     At the moment the COE is an experimental Unit for the Maritime R/N detection, Identification and Monitoring Field Experiment 2012. To identify the (Minimum) Capability Requirements the COE established an ad hoc Radiological/Nuclear Reach Back Element (RBE) in its current building and developed a plan to man it for the purposes of the experiment.

      In order to properly gather and manage available, valuable existing information in this field the COE hosted a coordination and training workshop with the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) which is world renowned as one of the most effective agencies working in Nuclear and Radiological Security. The NNSA is in fact a prestigious agency under the US Department of Energy (DoE), responsible for the management and security of the nuclear weapons, nuclear non-proliferation and naval reactor programs and is considered to have the best science, technology and engineering in the world.

      The meeting was very fruitful, and the value of the pieces of information which NNSA provided will be paramount for the success of the overall Maritime experiment as well as future ones (e.g. RB&F).

      It was also possible to explore potential ways and means of future cooperation for the incoming RB&F experimentation and for technical Training and education.

This event well represents the role which a Centre of Excellence can and should assume across NATO bodies in bridging existing gaps in Capability Development Processes and enabling other National and International Organizations to enhance the power of a networked specialist expertise.

Author: LTC Romeo Tomassetti

NATO ACT – JCBRN Defence COE RB&F Experimentation Coordination Meeting

 

   

 

Following the Reach Back & Fusion (RB&F) Experimentation 'Kick-Off' Event, hosted by JCBRN Defence COE in December 2011, and in accordance with the relevant JCBRN Defence Steering Committee decision, the COE organized and hosted the NATO ACT – JCBRN Defence COE RB&F Experimentation Coordination Meeting, from 3 to 6 March 2012 in Vyskov, Czech Republic.  The primary purpose of the meeting was to define the way ahead for the future ACT sponsored, JCBRN Defense COE supported RB&F experimentation.