Story by JFC Naples Public Affairs 

ZAGAN, Poland - Members of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC Naples), 1 German/Netherlands Corps (1GNC) and 1st NATO Signal Battalion Deployable Communication Module Echo (1NSB DCME), joined the Mayor of Zagan, Andrey Katarzyniec and the Chairman of the Zagan City Council, Adam Matwijow, on a visit to the Prisoners Camp Museum "Stalag Luft III” to commemorate both The Great Escape and the 75th anniversary of the D-Day.

The visit was a poignant occasion for to honor the soldiers who took part in the World War II amphibious operation, in Normandy. It also marked the resolve of those held in captivity at the time. 

The event strengthened the relationship between NATO and the local community.

 "We gathered here today, to remember a pivotal moment of the World War II,” said Greek Brigadier General Apostolos Doukellis. "Today we mark the sacrifice of all our fellow soldiers who died during the amphibious operation in Normandy,” 

"We also thanked, local authorities who participated in the ceremony and we appreciate the outstanding support that they are providing to all the units currently deployed here for the exercise Noble Jump 19”.

NOJU19 is an exercise which will test the rapid deployment capability of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). 

The VJTF is a technologically advanced, multinational force made up of land, air, maritime and Special Operations Forces components, that are rapidly deployable. Noble Jump 9 has deployed almost 2500 troops in the southern west region of Poland. 

The first phase of the exercise began on the 24th May, when NATO alerted its VJTF. 

Within 48 hours, the VJTF’s "Spearhead” battalion was ready to deploy. 

Three days later the complete VJTF brigade was on standby. 

As part of the VTJF, a Spearhead Battalion is comprised of a German, a Dutch and a Norwegian company under German command.