Joint Warrior 21-1:NATO Readies for Crisis and Conflict

Joint Warrior 21-1 is currently wrapping up.The UK-led NATO exercise began 8 May and ends on 20 May.It has involved 31 ships, three submarines,150 aircraft and about 13,400 troops, including approximately 1500 ground troops, drilling off the coasts of Northern and Western Scotland and on ranges across the country. Nations participating are NATO members Denmark; France; Germany; Latvia; the Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; the UK; the US;and Partner Australia.* Air bases involved include RAF Lossiemouth, Prestwick Airport and Stornoway Airport.There have been joint firing drills at Cape Wrath Weapon Range,Garvie Island and the QinetiQ Hebrides Range.GPS denial operations took place off Western Scotland, The Northern Times reported.* The wargames reflected a broad range of crisis and conflict situations with real-world operational relevance.The JW 21-1 scenario posits a period of increasing political and military tensions.It will highlight intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance;anti-smuggling and counterterrorism operations; humanitarian assistance and evacuation operations.The exercise included a fast small boat drill for both civilian and military watercraft in the North Minch area off the Scottish coast.* JW 21-1 is linked with Exercise Strike Warrior-21, which certifies the UK Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group for deployment.Immediately the drills end,QECSG will go on a seven month deployment from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific following a stop at its homeport,Portsmouth.The CSG includes Netherlands and US warships,as well as a squadron of US Marine Corps F-35B Joint Strike Fighters.* Over the course of JW 21-1,high readiness warfighting capabilities were exercised across sea and air units in coordinated joint operations,Allied Maritime Command noted. The realistic,multi-threat scenarios were an opportunity for NATO and Australia to deploy their formations,units and staffs in collective training in preparation for any upcoming joint deployments that may arise, enhancing their responsiveness to deploy high-readiness military forces to conduct coordinated joint operations against current and future threats,in support of the NATO Readiness Initiative. During its deployment, the QECSG will showcase its flexibility and ability to act at all levels allowing political, diplomatic and military options.The Carrier Strike activity demonstrates power projection over large distances with its unparalleled combat capability, and are a critical element of NATO deterrence.* At one point, Task Group simulated a belligerent naval adversary for the UKCSG according to the fictional JW 21-1 exercise scenario.During the free-play phase of JW 21-1,units reacted to unscripted events as they happened and interacted with the UKCSG opposition forces in a variety of realistic operational scenarios.*