The Main Planning Conference (MPC) for the exercise “Macedonian Flash–14” took place at the Training Centre (TC) “Pepelishte”, from 7th to 11th May 2018. This conference is part of the planning process for the upcoming exercise, which will be conducted mid-October at the TA” Krivolak” and at the Training Centre “Pepelishte”.
After the short welcoming speech given by the Director of the exercise, Lieutenant Colonel Igor Manasovski, the Officer of Primary Responsibility for the exercise Major Viktor Erkikj outlined and delegated duties and responsibilities, thus giving guidelines for the assigned tasks to the leaders of the syndicates of the exercise.
The following activities were conducted during the five-day conference:
- Finalizing EXPLAN and its approval;
- Developing other parts of the scenario;
- Creating: personnel list (EXCON, EXCEN, HICON and units, Signals plan, agenda for the Day of Distinguished Visitors);
- Confirming the logistic support;
- Finalizing documents for protection of forces.
During the MPC there was a visit by a NATO advisory team from the Allied Joint Forces Command Naples. The advisory team, consisting of three members (representatives from France, Italy and Serbia), together with the organizers of the exercise signed the final documents for the NATO evaluation and they had an opportunity to visit the locations where the exercise will take place.
The Chief of Staff of the Joint Operations Command, Brigadier General Azim Nuredin also visited the event. At the conference, participants were informed about the preparation of the upcoming activities with the following briefings: security briefing, briefing about the plan and specifications of the exercise, the scenario, the structure and the status of the units. The main event list and main incident list (MEL/MIL) were also presented.
The activities conducted during the Main Planning Conference and the conclusions which were drawn are a solid foundation for the ensuing preparations and activities for the beginning of the next phase of the planning process and successful execution of the Final Planning Conference for the exercise “Macedonian Flash-14”.
The planning process will continue with a workshop for the final documents for MF-14, which will take place from 18th to 22nd June 2018.
