STEADFAST JUPITER-JACKAL 2020 (STJU-JA20) is a NATO strategic, operational, and tactical level command Battle Staff Exercise (BSX) that will train and evaluate select NATO headquarters in planning for and executing an out-of-area Non-Article 5 Crisis Response Operation at regional scale in NATO Strategic Direction South.
STJU-JA20 will facilitate the execution of two simultaneous Small Joint Operations in out-of-area and geographically independent Joint Operating Areas. The exercise aims to train, evaluate and certify Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples and 1 German/Netherlands Corps (1GNC) for the NATO Response Force (NRF) 2021 rotation.
“Steadfast Jupiter Jackal 20 will increase NRF 21’s overall flexibility, agility and readiness by challenging our team with a realistic and challenging exercise scenario, coupled with the complexity of the COVID-19 environment,” said Admiral Robert P. Burke, Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. “A concerted effort has been made to successfully achieve the training objectives of the exercise, while maintaining mitigation measures necessary to ensure the health and safety of our team."
The NRF is a highly ready and technologically advanced multinational force made up of land, air, maritime and Special Operations Forces (SOF) components that the Alliance can deploy quickly, wherever needed. JFC Naples last commanded the NRF in 2019.
"This exercise makes me confident that our forces are ready to deter and, if necessary, defend the Euro-Atlantic area from any threat," Burke said.
For the first time, partners from the International Humanitarian Community will be involved in the complete cycle of STJU-JA20, from planning to scenario development and then execution. The inclusion will ensure the training audience is exposed to the same opportunities and challenges faced when deployed together with these organizations in the same operating environment.
STJU-JA20 is directed by the Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway.
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