Next week, NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) will launch Exercise Steadfast Duel 2024, focusing on strengthening defence strategies for the Euro-Atlantic region.
The exercise will involve over 20 NATO Command and Force Structure headquarters, including Allied Joint Force Command Naples and Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), practising defence operations at both the operational and higher tactical levels.
AIRCOM’s participation will test its ability to manage air operations through the Air Tasking Order (ATO), a crucial tool for operational planning. General James Hecker, Commander of Allied Air Command, emphasised that Steadfast Duel offers a vital opportunity to refine current airpower practices while also experimenting with new ATO production methods.
General Hecker remarked: “Steadfast Duel 24 is one of the most significant events on our AIRCOM exercise calendar. This exercise provides a challenging platform for us to practise delivering airpower on NATO’s behalf and further experiment with our processes and command structures to achieve a more adaptable framework.”
The exercise will simulate multi-domain operations, including air, ground, maritime, and space, reinforcing best practices and coordination between AIRCOM and other critical NATO components.
Designed to enhance collaboration among NATO’s land forces, the alliance add that the NATO Space Operations Centre, and other essential units, will focus on improving multi-domain operations.
“Whilst Steadfast Deterrence 2024 exercised elements of NATO’s deterrence strategy, Steadfast Duel 2024 will exercise NATO entities in the defence of the Alliance, employing all military capabilities, including cyberspace and space within a complex scenario,” retired Major General Roger Lane, senior Exercise Control advisor for both exercises, said in June 2024 during the workshop for the exercise held at the NATO Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway.
