The Steadfast Pyramid 2012 exercise was inducted by Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DSACT) Polish General Mieczysław Bieniek on 17 September in Riga, Latvia.

This annual exercise, originally launched in 2011, is based on a fictitious but realistic scenario built within the context of a non-Article 5 crisis response situation. The exercise is designed to develop planning and operational capabilities among commanders and senior staff.

"Clearly this is already a showcase of an improved cooperation between Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and Allied Command Operations (ACO) and highlights the importance of the Baltic States to NATO", said General Bieniek. Latvia, the exercise host country, benefits from the exercises as it develops more robust capabilities and simultaneously reinforces relationship building with other NATO nations and partners.

"This is a collaborative environment where NATO Military Authorities and NATO Commanders can freely engage and discuss the challenges ahead", Bieniek said, going further to state, "this is a venue that cultivates ideation, discussion and action in identifying and possibly resolving complexities in today's security environment."

Representatives of fourteen countries participated in the exercise including commanders and senior staff from across NATO and its Force Structure, via National Commands, to those representing Partnership for Peace countries. The exercise is focused on the role of commanders in the operational planning and decision-making process.

"Pyramid 2012 is an extraordinary opportunity to address unique and relevant issues and ideas while allowing the strategic commanders and senior staff to meet, discuss and interact with other countries and NATO Commanders from both the Command and Force structure", iterated Bieniek.

Following his speech, General Bieniek met with Latvia's State Secretary, Mr Janis Sarts and Chief of Defence Major General Raimonds Graube with whom he discussed Latvia's aspiration to host additional NATO courses and possibly develop a Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (StratCom COE).