Exercise Joint Resolve 2026 will now transition to an Execution Phase following completion of the Operational Planning Phase (OPP) earlier today, which culminated with the delivery of respective Course of Action Decision Briefs within each of the Joint Operational Planning Groups.

The principal aim of the Course of Action (COA) Decision Brief was to present the Commander with the analysis and results of Phase III of the NATO OPP, including the wargaming that took place towards the end of the week. A clear and concise briefing, which normally presents at least two proposed Courses of Action, will then allow the Joint Force Commander, in close coordination with his supporting Component Commanders, to determine the best COA for the planned or potential operation. At the same time, the JF COM can then provide Direction and Guidance for the development of those products necessary to support and direct any potential operation while providing flexibility to test and adjust as the situation develops.

Throughout the last two weeks the students of the Baltic Defence College have been working in close cooperation with their colleagues from the Finnish National Defence University, the Polish War Studies University, The Swedish Defence University, and the National Defence University of Ukraine. In addition, the Baltic Defence College also sponsored three German Fuhrungsakademie students as part of a bi-lateral exchange programme during JR26.

For the next phase of JR26 we will be joined by representatives from Joint Force Command Brunssum, 1st German/Netherlands Corps HQ, the Multinational Medical Coordination Centre – Europe, Comprehensive Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the Estonian Academy of Security Services, among others, to enhance our team of Subject Matter Experts. The breadth and depth of this particular team underlines the importance that we place on the quality of education we aim to deliver through CJSE JR26.