Transformation Through Training • Issue No: 11 • November 2018 • 7 and incidents, does the scenario become a complete tool that enables proper meeting of the training objectives. Creation of the MEL/MIL is always one of the most important ODE’s responsibilities. Starting in November 2017, the scripting team, led by JFTC, met several times. Their task was completed in February 2018. They developed storylines and main injects, ensuring an adequate coverage of the training objectives and also a realistic flow of events during the execution. Exercise Brilliant Joust 18 was divided into two phases. It began on 7 March with five days of preparatory period for trainers and experts (Exercise Control), and then continued with the execution held between 12 and 22 March. The JFTC team, led by Major General Wilhelm Grün, the centre’s Commander and Exercise Director, provided the trainees with assistance and expertise throughout the whole execution. Already on the first day of the exercise General Grün encouraged the participants to take full advantage of the exercise, as it was a chance to gain knowledge and better overview of the operational side. He also underlined that as a non-certification exercise, Brilliant Joust 18 gave more flexibility in practicing interaction between the NRF lead headquarters and component commands. This “special” environment created at JFTC enabled free operational level thinking, testing new solutions in the Joint Task Force Headquarters structure and procedures, and more interaction with political, diplomatic as well as other non-military players, such as international organisations and non-governmental organisations. Yet, it has not lost anything from its truly joint character. Conducting such a complex exercise would not be possible without a proper infrastructure. Thanks to the newly built training area, equipped with all installations and security systems required for execution of this type of exercise, the training audience could train in a very realistic and comfortable environment. With its state-of-the-art facility and capabilities developed throughout the years, the Joint Force Training Centre ensured high-level conditions for the training audience which contributed significantly to smooth and professional execution of the exercise. During the closing ceremony, General Riccardo Marchiò, JFCBS Commander, thanked General Grün and his staff for their support to the exercise as “one of the drivers of success”. Exercise Brilliant Joust 2018 was a successful test of proficiency for JFCBS and also for JFTC, which yet again confirmed its position of a key venue and a perfect partner for NATO exercises and training, as well as its important role in shaping NATO’s future. ■ “Brilliant Joust 2018 was a very special, very unique exercise. It promoted free thinking” Major General Wilhelm Grün, the JFTC Commander Brilliant Joust 2018 in a Nutshell When • 7-22 March 2018 Where • Joint Force Training Centre, Bydgoszcz, Poland (+ reach back in Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum) Who • OSE and OCE: Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, • ODE: Joint Force Training Centre, • Training Audience: Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (primary); four NATO Response Force 2018 (NRF 18) component commands (NATO Rapid Deployable Corps-Italy, French Maritime Force, German Joint Force Air Command, Spanish Joint Special Operations Command); Joint Logistic Support Group What • Computer assisted exercise that utilized a fictitious scenario settled in a non-article 5 crisis response operation framework Why • To exercise Joint Force Command Brunssum interaction with all components of NRF 18 Numbers • 600 participants in Bydgoszcz • Approximately 100 reach back personnel in Brunssum