Standardization Agreements keep CE 08 participants on the same page

Afghanistan and U.S. high frequency testby U.S. Marine Cpl. Jenn Eagelman, Combined Endeavor 2008 Public Affairs

BAUMHOLDER, Germany (May 7, 2008) - Communication interoperability is one of the two main goals of Combined Endeavor 2008.

Multiple countries hailing from locations across the globe bring their individual equipment, software and communicative systems to the exercise, according to Finnish 1st Lt. Marko Saarela, co-chairman of the Single Channel Working Radio Group. Given this, certain protocols and guidelines are necessary for mission accomplishment.

NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAGs) are examples of such guidelines and have been tested yearly since the exercise began in 1994.  Equipment and communication methods used during NATO training and missions are tested here so that each country can establish its technological base.

"In 1999, when I first became a part of Combined Endeavor, many nations did not support STANAGs," said Finnish Capt. Jouni Penttinen, the CE 08 lead coordinator in Regional Group A. "Without that they couldn't communicate, but now many more countries are compliant. There are more than 40 nations participating in this exercise and if they wish to participate in NATO training, they have to support the same STANAGs in order to operate with the other nations."

Moldova high frequency testThough STANAGs cover everything from uniform requirements to the proper method to inventory items, the STANAGs used in this exercise are very specific to communication and information systems.

For example - Ireland uses Harris RF 6760 WMT Radio Software that falls under STANAG 5066, according to Spl. Karl Deegan, a communications operative with the Irish Defense Forces. Any software being used by another country which falls under S5066 as well should be able to communicate with the Irish, provided that all other equipment falls in compliance with the guidelines.

"Equipment is tested every year," Saarela explained. "This is done to help find any problems that the individual country may have with their systems not being able to connect, that way when they meet in other locations for missions, it does not take them five days to set up."

Keeping everyone on the same page, STANAGs, according to Saarela, have played a pivotal role in the interoperability mission of the CE exercises over the years and they are a necessary element to ensure the success of CE 08.  

                                                            - CE 08 -

Location(s)

• email this page
• login to post comments