Joint Support Enabling Command


Joint Support Enabling Command is a joint operational level command under the NATO Military Command Structure. The command is designed facilitate the rapid movement of forces across national borders in Europe. According to NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu, "The new command in Ulm will help our forces become more mobile and enable rapid reinforcement within the Alliance, ensuring we have the right forces in the right place at the right time".
The command is staffed by 160 personnel and extendable to 600 if required. It is located in Ulm, Germany, under Lieutenant General Jürgen Knappe. The command was declared operational on 20 September 2019.

Background

The JSEC is a twin command to the US-based NATO Joint Force Command for the Atlantic, established in tandem to help protect maritime transport and sea lines of communication between North America and Europe; Its design in modeled after a Bundeswehr Joint Support Service Command.
The command was designed in light of growing hostilities between European countries and Russia since the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and in response to logistic and bureaucratic hurdles limiting military logistics in case of a crisis. A research paper by the German Federal Academy for Security Policy mentions specific logistical issue such as modernizing diplomatic clearances required for troop movement, loading capacity standards for trucks, ascertaining which roads, tunnels and bridges in Europe can withstand tank and other heavy vehicle's movement. The German Federal Academy for Security Policy's view is that the forming of JSEC is a possible driver for the establishment of a "Military Schengen".