Riga hosts NATO operations planning exercise for senior and flag officers

NATO exercises "Steadfast Pyramid 2019" and "Steadfast Pinnacle 2019" will take place on 9-20 September 2019, at the Joint Headquarters of the Latvian Armed Forces. These exercises will be attended by 56 senior and flag officers from NATO Member States and Finland and Sweden, which are NATO partner countries.

“We are proud to host these high level exercises in Latvia which will improve awareness of the security situation in the Baltic region. “Steadfast Pyramid” and “Steadfast Pinnacle” will enhance our ability to plan and lead joint operations, strengthening the Alliance’s capacity to respond to current security challenges,” emphasized Defence Minister Artis Pabriks. 

The goal of "Steadfast Pyramid" and "Steadfast Pinnacle" is to boost senior and flag officers` ability to plan and lead joint operations. Training is based on Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive, one of the fundamental joint operations planning frameworks of the Alliance. During the training, participants will have to simulate a scenario based on the actual security situation. Scenario will integrate the elements of collective defence operations, political and hybrid threats.

"Steadfast Pyramid 2019" is the first phase of the exercise, which will last until September 13, led by the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and the Allied Command Transformation. During this phase, senior and flag officers will improve their staff planning skills. 

The second phase, "Steadfast Pinnacle 2019", will be conducted on 16-20 September. This phase is aimed at boosting operational planning skills of the senior commanding officers.

National Armed Forces will be represented at the "Steadfast Pyramid 2019" by Naval Force Commander Fleet Admiral Ingus Vizulis, whereas National Armed Force Joint Headquarters Deputy Operational Commander for Operations Brigadier-General Georgs Kerlins will participate in "Steadfast Pinnacle 2019".

The exercise will be conducted by a team of experts from the Joint Force Training Centre located in Bydgoszcz, Poland. They arrived in Riga, led by their Commander, Major General Adam Joks, to professionally support the event

The first exercises "Steadfast Pyramid" and "Steadfast Pinnacle" in Latvia was conducted in 2011. By hosting the exercise, Latvia, as the host nation, will be able to develop its operational capabilities, and improve the cooperation with other NATO Member States and strategic partners in the region.

Media contacts:
Media Relations Section
Military Public Affairs Department
Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv
Website: www.mod.gov.lv