In the period from 7th to 17th July 2020, in the Army House in Skopje, in full compliance with COVID-19 measures and recommendations, the main planning conference (MPC) for the exercise “Defender Europe 21”, which includes the exercise “Decisive Strike 21” (DS21) was held via video conferencing. The conference was attended by personnel from the exercise planning team, a representative of the Army General Staff, as well as from the Office of Defense Cooperation at the US Embassy in the Republic of North Macedonia.
“Defender Europe 21” is a series of US Army-led exercises in Europe among which are: “Swift Response 21” (SR21), “Immediate Response 21” (IR21), “Saber Guardian 21” (SG21) and “Defender 21 Command Post Exercise” (D21 CPX). The Army will actively participate in 2 DE21 exercises “Immediate Response 21” and “Saber Guardian 21”.
The aim of the conference is to continue with planning and coordination of the activities in support of the preparations for the exercise “Defender Europe 21” as well as synchronization of all participants involved in planning and resourcing of the exercises for its complete implementation.
In accordance with the changes that took place after the Initial Planning Conference for “Defender Europe 21”, the Pennsylvania National Guard will not participate in the “Decisive Strike 21”. Participation in the exercise has been confirmed by units of the National Guard of Florida and Colorado with which a video conference was held.
The following documents were revised at the MPC: exercise time frame and schedule / dates for planning conferences and workshops, training objective, liaison plans, distinguished visitors plan, opening and closing ceremonies coverage, exercise support agreements with the host countries representatives, important events media coverage plan, real logistic support defining, as well as force protection plan development.
With the completion of these activities all the necessary documents for smooth implementation of the largest exercise for 2021 in the Republic of North Macedonia will be defined.
