THE SUSTAINER | EXERCISE From April to July 2021, 104 Logistic Brigade's Theatre Enabling Group (TEG) deployed on the DEFENDER 21 (DEF21). DEF21 was a series of exercises directed by the 4-star US Army, Europe and Africa. The exercise focussed on building operational readiness and interoperability with a greater number of NATO allies and partners over a wider area of operations than DEF20. More than 28,000 troops from 26 nations conducted nearly simultaneous operations across 30 training areas in a dozen countries from the Baltics to the Balkans and Black Sea region. The UK TEG, embedded at every level in the US 21st Theatre Sustainment Command, conducted the strategic in-load and outload of the Florida based 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (53rd IBCT). The TEG received 1,500 soldiers and over 700 pieces of equipment through nine entry points, before onward movement to the training areas dispersed across the Balkans. Commander 104X, Brig Jo Chestnutt, deployed as the 21st Theatre Sustainment Command forward commander of the 21st TSC TAC in Albania, which co-ordinated a multi-domain Joint Logistic Support Area – over 8,000 troops spread over 130,000 km, covering three ports, six airports and seven training areas in five countries. Maj Tom Goodall, 17 P&M Regt RLC, who deployed as the TAC Chief of Staff, explains: “The deployment stress tested our experience and deductions around strategic mobility, especially when factoring in the impact of COVID19, leveraging commercial capability and using Information Manoeuvre in support of Sustainment operations.” Leading the DEF21 mission in Greece, Croatia and Slovenia was the OF-4 TEG HQ, commanded by Lt Col Joe Brown, CO 9 Regt RLC. Embedded as a battalion-sized formation in the US 16th Sustainment Brigade, 250 US and UK TEG personnel were split into three task forces (TF): ALEX, KOPER and ZADAR, dispersed over 1,500km and six land boarders, of which some were closed because of COVID. A real test in dispersed leadership. 10
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Ex DEFENDER 21
First, TFs ALEX and ZADAR downloaded 603 pieces of rolling equipment and 93 containers at the ports of Zadar and Alexandroupolis, to enable access and freedom of movement for 53rd IBCT to project to the training areas using contracted linehaul. It was a big task for the OC’s who had little chance to recce the locations due to COVID travel restrictions, but they hit the ground running and worked hard at building relationships with their US embeds, contractors and Host Nation Armies, who were critical to supporting the task. Lt Col Brown praises the OCs: “These tasks involve multinational and whole force collaboration to offload three ships and the co-ordinated execution of the onward movement to dispersed exercise locations throughout the region. Robust planning, early liaison and Mission
8 UK Movement Controller guiding in the US vessel at the Port of Zadar, Croatia
8 2Lt Cooper commanding the discharge of the US Vessel at the Port of Alexandroupolis, Greece Command have allowed the subunit commanders to prevail at reach from TEG HQ.” In Croatia, engagement by TF ZADAR, with Croatian Armed Forces, was essential to secure assets and troops to support the in-load of UK and US equipment. Maj Dan Cornwell, (9RLC), commanded TF ZADAR and found the exercise both insightful and rewarding: “It taught me the importance of clarity and simplicity when operating with different NATO Nations, especially with the language barriers! In the end we worked together to solve problems and it was really gratifying to see the Croatian, US and British troops getting stuck in on joint tasks." In addition to the pre-designated tasks, the TEG reacted to deliver several other sustainment and logistics activities in support of US exercising forces. TF ALEX was conducting routine re-supply of the local training area and also ran military convoys as far as 500km to collect equipment. This provided the perfect opportunity to deliver staff training, in deliberate planning processes, for the TEG HQ; but also allowed the deployed force some extra experience. WO1 (RSM) Paul Douglass, (9RLC) deployed as the TEG RSM adds: "The resupply convoys were a great opportunity
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