Two detachments of specialists from the 7th CIMIC Regiment/Multinational CIMIC Group participated in NATO Exercise “Steadfast Deterrence 2026” from 4 to 13 May 2026, operating in support of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum and Allied Joint Force Command Naples. 

“Steadfast Deterrence 2026” represents one of NATO’s major training activities focused on deterrence and collective defence, planned and conducted within the Alliance framework with the simultaneous involvement of NATO strategic and operational headquarters. 

The exercise was conducted in a multi-domain operational environment aimed at enhancing NATO’s integrated response capability in complex scenarios, with the main effort focused on the North-Western Area of the Euro-Atlantic region and on the coordination among strategic, operational and tactical levels. 

During the exercise, MNCG CIMIC personnel provided subject matter expertise in liaison, civil environment awareness, reporting and integration of the civil dimension into operational and decision-making processes, contributing to the understanding of the civil environment and to the coordination with non-military actors involved in the exercise scenario. 

The participation of Multinational CIMIC Group personnel within Joint Force Command Brunssum and Joint Force Command Naples further confirmed the unit’s capability to operate in support of NATO major headquarters, providing specialized CIMIC expertise in the planning and conduct of multi-domain operations related to deterrence and collective defence. 

The activity also contributed to strengthening interoperability among SHAPE, the Joint Force Commands and the various NATO components, confirming the role of CIMIC as a key enabling function for the integration of the civil dimension into modern NATO operations.