Marine Forces Europe and Africa

National and NATO senior amphibious and maritime leaders are conducting a command and control (C2) wargame at NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) in Stavanger, Norway. Under the auspice of the Amphibious Leaders Expeditionary Symposium (ALES), the scenario-based tabletop wargame aims at improving the C2 effectiveness and efficiency of multinational maritime and amphibious forces in support of NATO. The wargame is facilitated by U.S. Marine Corps Major General Russell A. C. Sanborn, the Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa (MARFOREUR/AF), the leading command behind the ALES initiative. The wargame in Stavanger is the fourth iteration of ALES, which started two years ago in Stuttgart, Germany, home to MARFOREUR/AF Headquarters, as a forum for senior amphibious leaders to discuss key aspects of multinational amphibious operations. The previous iterations of ALES took place in Italy (NATO Joint Force Command Naples) and the United Kingdom (Allied Maritime Command Northwood), respectively. Topics discussed primarily included: amphibious interoperability, collective defence and vast Major Joint Operations concept, NATO readiness, and the amphibious task force-level C2 during large-scale amphibious operations. The goal was to set the chart for the future amphibious operations, with a focus on ever-increasing conventional maritime threats facing the NATO Alliance. “It is a great pleasure to host the amphibious wargame at the Joint Warfare Centre,” said Polish Army Major General Andrzej Reudowicz, Commander JWC, during his opening remarks. “NATO has increased its focus on the maritime domain. With this event, we also welcome Rear Admiral John Skillman, JWC’s former Deputy Commander, who is participating the wargame in his current position as Commander of the Expeditionary Strike Group 2.” Major General Reudowicz then explained that the Joint Warfare Centre was established to deliver and continuously improve training for NATO

British Royal Marines and U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Europe 18.1 competed in a soccer game against Norwegian Soldiers with Home Guard 12 at Stordal, Norway, June 15, 2018. The Marines scored three goals in the second half to tie the match at 4-4. The game was just one of many community and training events the Marines plan to conduct with their NATO Allies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. William Frye stands in front of Marines assigned to Headquarters Company, Marine Forces Europe and Africa (MARFOREURAF) on Panzer Kaserne, Stuttgart, Germany, on June 14, 2018. Frye was participating in his Relief and Retirement ceremony.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Menelik/ released)

Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response Africa, Ground Combat Element 18.2, slide out of an MV-22B Osprey during a fast-rope training exercise at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, June 13, 2018. The Marines of SPMAGTF-CR-AF practiced their fast-roping skills along with support from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263. The fast rope training consisted of day and night operations to better prepare the Marines for crisis response. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Taylor W. Cooper/Released)

U.S. Marine with 2nd Civil Affairs Group places a wooden cross at the historical Hill of Crosses in Siauliai, Lithuania, June 8, 2018, during Exercise Saber Strike 18. The Marines participating in Saber Strike 18, a U.S. joint and multinational exercise conducted at various locations throughout the Baltic States and Poland, took an opportunity to visit the historic site to recognize and learn some of the culture of Lithuania. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Adwin Esters/Released)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Civil Affairs Group, Latvian Zemessardze (national guardsmen) and children from Priedites Orphanage intermingle at a local pottery art house in Daugavpils, Latvia, June 5, 2018, during a community event as part of Exercise Saber Strike 18. The Marines and Latvian Zemessardze, with the help of a nonprofit charity organization Spirit of America, visited the children of the Priedites Orphanage and treated them to a day full of activities including a trip to a local pottery art house and an outdoor playground obstacle course. Spirit of America is a non-profit organization that works alongside forward-deployed troops and diplomats serving overseas to identify critical needs and provide private-sector resources and know-how in support of their missions to increase their safety and success.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters/Released)

A U.S. Marine crew member for an MV-22 Osprey with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa posts security with a mounted weapon during a flight to Africa on May 31, 2018. SPMAGTF-CR-AF deployed to conduct crisis-response and theater-security operations in Europe and North Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Britni M. Garcia Green/Released)

U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 18.1 fire a TOW wire-guided missile during Exercise Saber Strike 18 on Adazi Military Base, Latvia, June 4, 2018. Exercise Saber Strike is an integrated field training exercise that occurs annually throughout Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, increasing joint operational capability and enhancing the NATO alliance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Angel D. Travis)

A Norwegian Coastal Ranger Commando (KJK) conducts a shooting drill during Exercise Platinum Ren at Fort Trondennes, Harstad, Norway, May 9, 2018. The exercise is a theater security cooperation training evolution with U.S. Marines of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and KJKs held to sustain mission essential tasks in a harsh operating environment and strengthen coalition partnerships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Miguel A. Rosales)

Lance Cpl. Angel Delgado from Bravo Company, 4th Tanks Battalion, is a tank loader for this M1A1 tank during his participation in Exercise Arrow 18 in Pohjankangas Training Area, near Kankaanpaa, Finland, May 16, 2018. Exercise Arrow is an annual Finnish multi-national exercise with the purpose of training with mechanized infantry, artillery, and mortar field training skills in a live-fire exercise. This is the first year the Marine Corps is participating in this exercise and the first time the M1A1 Abrams tanks have been in Finland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Averi Coppa/Released)