During 17 – 21 September 2012 and 24 – 28 September 2012, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe will conduct STEADFAST PYRAMID 2012 and STEADFAST PINNACLE 2012 exercises in Riga, Latvia.
Both exercises are based on a fictitious but realistic scenario built within the context of a non-Article 5 crisis response situation, and aim to deliver more capable senior staff and commanders to plan and conduct operations. Participants include commanders and senior staff across the NATO Command Structure, NATO Force Structure and troop contributing nations to the NATO Response Force.
"NATO is committed to fostering peace and security around the globe, and a key component is the generation of talented, rational and capable military commanders that can make military decision based on Alliance's priorities” said DSACEUR, General Sir Richard Shirreff. "These important exercises hosted by the valued member state Latvia represent an important step in the development of NATO's military leadership”.
The exercises will provide an opportunity for Allied Command Operation commanders and their staff to exercise command and control during planning, preparation and conduct of operations. PYRAMID 12 focuses on the role of commanders in operational planning and decision making process, while PINNACLE 12 focuses on the role of commanders at operational level.
Both exercises expand the participants' knowledge of NATO policy, procedures, Command and Control capabilities, forces and HQs structure, as well as doctrine which governs the planning and conduct of NATO military operations.
Latvia is hosting these exercises for the second time and last year's iteration has already proven its capability to conduct such a high level NATO exercise. This exercise demonstrates strategic partnership among Allies and ensures NATO commitment to the Baltic States. During the exercises, Latvia develops the joint operational capability as a host nation and benefits from these exercises by improving abilities to work with other NATO nations and other key regional partners.
NATO regularly plans and conducts exercises in order to enhance operational capabilities, readiness, standardisation and effectiveness. The Alliance also aims at demonstrating its capabilities and the effective integration of forces, enhancing cooperation, exploiting opportunities for transformation, complementing internal training programs and supporting the evaluation process.