Final Coordination Conference exercise VIKING 2008

From Sep 2 till Sep 4, SHIRBRIG G3 (LtCol Sergio Tamai), G6 (LtCol Jacek Dolgan) and G1-dep/PIO (Maj Dick Dane) participated in the Final Coordination Conference in the Swedish National Defence Academy in Stockholm, to prepare for the execution of exercise VIKING 2008 in November 2008.

Exercise Viking 08 is the 5th in a series of major joint civilian-military Viking exercises, organized by Sweden. The exercise is a distributed computer-assisted exercise and will be conducted at Component Command and Brigade levels. It involves a NATO combined joint task force (CJTF) and a European Union battle group. This year also cooperation and coordination between and amongst military units and civilian organisations and agencies will be exercised.

Aim of the Final Coordination Conference was to further develop the Exercise Plan, refine the EXCON SOP draft and confirm exercise participation. In the conference were plenary sessions as well as sessions for Training Audience and Exercise Control.

In Viking 2008, Shirbrig plays the role of United Nations Security Assistance Force (UNSAF), and operates in X-land. During the planning and execution of the exercise, a special role is given to the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) in Stockholm. The FBA is mandated by the Swedish government to coordinate and support the non-military dimensions of the exercise. It assists in engaging civilian organisations and agencies, including the UN and regional organisations, in the exercise. This means that during the planning phase of the exercise, representatives of the FBA play/represent UNMINS, the higher level of UNSAF. During the conference the Shirbrig members enjoyed a fruitful cooperation and exchange of thoughts in a pleasant atmosphere with the FBA representatives. Both teams were happy to conclude that Shirbrig is well on track with the exercise preparations.

UNMINS back brief

On Sep 4 all participants presented their back brief to the Exercise Director, Brigadier General Jan-G Isberg. Finally the Shirbrig team thanked their hosts and left for Denmark. The well organised Final Coordination Conference left a good feeling among the Shirbrig members and Shirbrig is looking forward to execute the exercise in November 2008.