RAMSTEIN, German – From November 26 to December 6, 2024,
allied forces participated in NATO’s first multi-domain training exercises focusing on crisis prevention and management, exercise Steadfast Dagger 2024.
Scheduled by Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, coordinated by Allied Joint Force Command Naples and directed by the Joint Warfare Centre, this computer-assisted command post exercise designed to increase operational readiness and interoperability of the Allied Reaction Force, following its activation in July.
Steadfast Dagger 2024 showed the Alliance adaptation to a multi-domain-capable framework
The primary training audiences of Exercise Steadfast Dagger 2024 included the Italian “Vittorio Veneto” Division (Land Component Command), the Spanish Maritime Component Command, the Turkish Joint Force Air Component (JFAC) Command and the Spanish Joint Special Operations Command.
Exercise Steadfast Dagger is NATO’s first multi-domain training exercises focusing on crisis prevention and management. Photo curtesy of the Joint Warfare Centre
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In 2025 the Turkish JFAC Command based out of Eskişehir will undertake the responsibility of Allied Reaction Force Air C2. Photo curtesy of the Turkish Air Force
Major General Gianluca ERCOLANI, Allied Air Command Chief of Staff, visited the Turkish JFAC during the exercise. Photo curtesy of the Turkish Air Force
“Steadfast Dagger 2024 showed the Alliance adaptation to a multi-domain-capable framework” said Major General Gianluca ERCOLANI, Allied Air Command Chief of Staff, who visited the Turkish JFAC in Eskişehir, during the exercise. “The Turkish Joint Forces Air Component showcased all its expertise to lead, on the air domain, the Allied Reaction Force’s capability of responding to worldwide crisis, strengthening NATO’s 360-degree approach to deterrence and defence.” he added.
In 2025 the Turkish JFAC Command based out of Eskişehir, Türkiye, will undertake the responsibility of Allied Reaction Force Air C2 (command and control) entity.
The exercise is designed to train the Allied Reaction Force 25 in planning and executing non-Article 5 multi-domain operations outside NATO territory to combat hybrid security threats. During the exercise, participants will engage in interdiction operations, small joint combat operations and countering terrorism.
Steadfast Dagger is the first in a series of multi-domain training exercises focusing on crisis prevention and management; one of the three core tasks of NATO as set forth in the 2022 Strategic Concept.
Steadfast Dagger underscores the Allied Reaction Force’s capability of responding to crisis worldwide, strengthening NATO’s 360-degree approach to deterrence and defence.