An Cosantóir

strategic review NBG | 21 tion and evaluation tools, as well as providing oppor- tunities to test standard operational procedures (SOPs) and communication and information Manage- ment systems (CIS). Irish personnel with the NBG also undertook basic military training in preparation for possible deployment. This included survival, evasion, resis- tance and escape (SERE) training; range practices; medical and CBRN train- ing; self-defence; and mine-awareness training. Throughout the NBG 11 period Irish personnel have been involved in advanced operational planning on case study countries. This included development of comprehensive concept-of-operations and operations plans on possible NBG deployment. All planning was conducted using the ’comprehensive approach’ that takes into account all aspects of security and defence, including humanitar- ian issues, rule of law, policing, governmental reform and mili- tary matters. (For a detailed description of the ‘comprehensive approach’, see An Cosantóir, May 2011). All parts of the NBG reached full operational capability on De- cember 1st, 2010, one month before the stand-by period began. The opportunity to work in Sweden has been a very profes- sionally rewarding experience for all members of the Irish contingent. In particular, being involved with in-depth training in advanced operational planning and international staff work, undergoing intensive, realistic and well-resourced exercises, and having opportunities to work closely with different nationalities, was very worthwhile. A range of training courses were also available to Irish person- nel. For example, Lt Alan Fennell had the opportunity to undergo a comprehensive three-week OLRT (operational liaison and re- connaissance team) training course. (The OLRT is a small military team drawn from FHQ, trained to operate in a possibly hostile environment.) All FHQ staff underwent a week-long EU Staff Of- ficers course and Comdt Caimin Keogh underwent the Compre- hensive Operational Planning course hosted by the NATO School, in Obberammergau, Germany. This course complemented the significant experience that Comdt Keogh gained as a member of the J5 Planning Branch. All Irish personnel gained valuable experience operating as part of a multi-national unit and the intensive and comprehen- sive training has been a big contributor to increased professional knowledge and skills. The experiences of each staff officer should prove of great benefit in future overseas operations. While the Irish personnel gained a lot from the experience THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE Enköpings - A Viking City The Swedish ‘Viking’ city of Enköping has 38,000 inhabit- ants. Located 80kms west of Stockholm, Enköping is fa- mous for its central location (1/3 of Sweden’s 9,000,000 inhabitants live within one hour of the city) and its award winning gardens located throughout the city. An- other of Enköping’s claims to fame is that the adjustable wrench was invented there. The city has several manufacturing industries and a major hospital. As well as being home to the NBG FHQ, Enköping is also home to the Swedish Armed Forces’ Command & Control Centre and the Army Electronic Warfare Centre (Ledningsregementet), which is one the largest employers in the area. Enköping’s connection to Sweden’s Viking past is evi- denced throughout the city and one of its most notice- able symbols is the Brandskoskeppet or ‘Fire Forest Ship’, which welcomes people to the city. Enköping’s Brandskoskeppet

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