Mar 2 2023

Multinational Corps Northeast kicks off exercise Griffin Lightning 23

SZCZECIN, Poland – On March 2-10, Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) conducts its major command post exercise (CPX) Griffin Lightning 23 (GRLI23). This periodic event is designed to test the Szczecin command’s capabilities in a large-scale defensive operation. The exercise takes place in multiple locations across the Baltic Sea region, e.g. Poland, Latvia and Germany.

Griffin Lightning is an exercise series which aims to enhance the Corps' headquarters readiness to execute full-spectrum military operations in a highly complex and demanding regional environment. This year's iteration will serve to increase planning and decision-making skills across the MNC NE chain of command, including i.e. Multinational Division North (MND N). A large portion of GRLI23's fictitious yet plausible scenario was prepared to train and evaluate the Division's command as a combat ready headquarters.

Multinational Division North has increased its potential and capabilities since its founding in 2019. Exercise Griffin Lightning is the stage where we will prove our ability to operate in a NATO Article 5 scenario,

Major General Flemming Mathiasen, Commander MND N, said. Based in Ādaži, Latvia, the Division's heaquarters comprises personnel from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, in addition to Denmark, Estonia and Latvia as the command's framework nations. "Having Multinational Division North East already in place, it is important that our division command level will be complemented by the combat ready Multinational Division North," the Corps' Commander, Lieutenant General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart stated.

Multinational Division North is an integral part of our command-and-control structure. They deliver vital capabilities in the northern region of our Area of Operations.

MG Mathiasen addresses the MND N staff ahead of their deployment on exercise Griffin Lighting / Photo by Morten Fredslund

The MND N staff board a Danish Air Force C-130 Hercules en route to exercise Griffin Lightning / Photo by Morten Fredslund

In order to amplify the Corps' operational capabilities, aside from Multinational Corps Northeast's subordinate units GRLI23 is participated by external stakeholders, e.g. the German 1st Armoured (Panzer) and Polish 12th Mechanised Divisions. MNC NE is pursuing interoperability as a force multiplier and a streamliner of regional efforts. The ability of Allies to act together coherently and effectively enables MNC NE to provide the credible deterrence necessary to face the increasing security threats.

Story by Multinational Corps Northeast Public Affairs Office