RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Twenty Airmen from the 1st Combat Communications Squadron participated in Exercise Steadfast Cobalt 2016 with NATO and one partner nation from April 28 to June 5 at the Romanian Communications and Information Systems Compound in Bucharest, Romania.
The purpose of the exercise was to create a Federated Mission Network and share knowledge and best practices with NATO countries.
“Our team was able to successfully stand up the FMN architecture integrating data from three geographically separated units,” said Master Sgt. Phyllis Brooks, 1st CBCS combat operations flight chief. “It proved we can stand up a tactical Combined Joint Task Force within 72 hours, and we are currently the only Air Force unit that can do so.”
The team also showed their abilities to improve communication.
“We were able to prove we can set up a network which allows not only all U.S. Forces to communicate with each other, but also 30 other NATO countries,” said Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Tester, 1st CBCS chief of operations. “It goes beyond just allowing our personnel to discuss the latest technologies or work related issues.”
Working alongside other countries to make the exercise a success allowed the 1st CBCS Airmen to strengthen the partnership between the U.S. and NATO countries and to learn the best methods to build communication between them.
“It is an unparalleled experience and honor working with our NATO partners,” said Tester. “It allows members from all nations to learn from each other and grow as individuals, making our partnership even stronger. I could not be more proud of my team and their accomplishments.”
The team was presented the Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Performance by NATO Maj. Gen. Walter Huhn, NATO Communications and Information Systems Group director. They were the only U.S. members to receive this award. Eight individuals in the team were also coined for their contributions to the exercise.
“I am proud of our accomplishments and honored to have been a part of the first-ever fully federated mission network,” said Brooks. “We definitely paved the way for future exercises and missions to come.”
The 1st CBCS participation in the exercise helped to improve communication and strengthen the relationship between NATO countries.