JCGSC 2015/2016 accomplishes Combined Joint Staff Exercise (SWEDEX) 2016 successfully

By Mats Melltorn (SWE) and Steven Grimshaw (DEU)

From the 18th to the 28th of April, the students of the Joint Command and General Staff Course took part in the annual International Staff Exercise in Sweden.

The aim of this exercise was to enhance the students’ ability to act as Commanders and staff members in an international staff environment during a Combined and Joint Crises Response Operation (CRO). Therefore, students were appointed various types of positions at higher levels in three different locations in Sweden. Among the students of Baltic Defence College, approximately 1200 other participants of 27 nations took part. Like in the previous years, the students’ performance was highly appreciated not only by the host nation, but also by all the other nations participating. Additionally, four students who served in the operational headquarters in Enköping, were awarded for their outstanding performance. Rear admiral Anders Grenstad (SWE), the acting Commander of the operation, awarded Major Kaspars Miezītis (LTV) with his coin and a letter of appreciation. He also awarded Major Marius Kugauda (LTU), Major Indrek Sarap (EST) and Major Bronius Zekas (LTU) with a letter of appreciation. Being back now at the College, the students can look back at two weeks of intensive learning, but also interesting experiences in an international environment, creating not only new possibilities for the future, but also new contacts and friends.