Slovenia returns to the coalition at Combined Endeavor 11

Photo By Staff Sgt. Shawnon Lott | Service members of the Slovenian army track the progress of a morning mission during Combined Endeavor 11 in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 18. Combined Endeavor is the largest Theater Security Cooperation communications exercise in the world, combining 40 different countries from NATO, Partnership for Peace and strategic partners.  

GRAFENWOEHR, BW, GERMANY

09.19.2011

Story by Sgt. Brian Rodan 

Combined Endeavor

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany-- Slovenia returns to join 38 other nations at Combined Endeavor 11, a multinational exercise from Sept. 8-22 in Grafenwoehr, Germany.

The goal of the exercise is to improve North American and European military communications, and computer network inter-connectivity to help nations partner together in responding to regional crisis or disaster.

Sgt. 1st Class Mitja Zidaric, Slovenian army, said, in this exercise we learn how to connect to with our systems and to systems of other countries and how to use different messaging systems and C2 systems to connect and to share information with other countries.

Combined Endeavor gives all participates the opportunity to gain more knowledge about their nations equipment and learn about other countries equipment. This knowledge could benefit them in the future during a coalition exercise or real world event.

“This year is the first time in which we are using block free system with C2 systems. Up to now we've tested only block free with lower tactical units. Now this year we are trying to connect, which we have, with higher commands,” said Zidaric.

Nations that have previously participated in Combined Endeavor claim their experiences during the exercise benefit them in the present and in the past.

“Previously we brought our tactical communications center which is capable of transferring 30 telephone lines and 512kbs with that we learned how to connect it with other countries when we are abroad,” said Zidaric.

Participating in Combined Endeavor gives nations the opportunity to work together and create relationships with each other without the extreme distance that separates their countries.

“As usual here at Combined Endeavor people are very friendly and communicative which makes it easy to find a solution for all sorts of problems,” said Zidaric.

“For example we had some problems in the beginning of the exercise; however, because everybody is willing to share information and help, we managed to reconnect all the systems to our higher command which is France this year,” said Zidaric.

• Date Taken: 09.19.2011
• Date Posted: 09.19.2011 07:36
• Story ID: 77230
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, BW, DE