Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, EX STEADFAST COBALT 2020 had to be reimagined to fit the multi-national restrictions and significantly lower the risk of infection among its participants. Instead of all participants travelling to the planned EX location in Lithuania, NATO Force Structure and NATO Command Structure units will be participating from their peace time locations. This change added an additional level of complexity to the standup of the Federated Mission Network for 2021. 1NSB, as the lead battalion for the NRF 2021 DCIS Support Group (DSG), led the first phase of the EX from Wesel, Germany. This presented the ideal opportunity for Major General Renner to observe the conduct of this new EX concept. 

Major General Renner arrived from Mons early on 19 June to attend the daily DSG Deployed Network Operations Centre (DNOC) Morning VTC and addressed all participating subordinate leaders across eight locations in Europe. Lieutenant Colonel Torsten Peters, CDR 1NSB, introduced Major General Renner to the DSG team members and led him around the Wesel EX area. He was able to observe the DSG C2 and Sp Element offices, Deployable Point of Presence (DPoPs), Satellite Terminals, tactical communications equipment, and the DNOC. Afterwards, the members of 1NSB formed up as a small socially distanced parade so the General could present an award to an unsuspecting member.