COMARRC’ S INTRODUCTION
Having now passed my year point with the Headquarters I’ d like to reflect a little on all that we have achieved before looking ahead to what is due to come over the next year.
On my travels across the Alliance I have been fortunate enough to speak to a myriad of people, and without fail all of them talk to the hard work from members of our Headquarters and how we are working with them to refine 21st Century Corps Warfighting. Shared endeavour is one of the key tenets of success of working in NATO, and everywhere I go I am thanked for the ARRC being such a good team mate. With that in mind, let me say well done for everything that you do, and thank you also to our families for their continued unwavering support.
There is, however, still much to do if we are to make the HQ match fit for 21st Century Warfighting. You will all, I am sure, be aware of developments in Ukraine, and that the United Kingdom is leading efforts to bring the war to an end. With that as the backdrop we must continue to refine our concept of how we will fight, such that we are as ready as we can be, should we be called upon. Because that is the cornerstone of our ability to deter, conscious that our mission is to keep NATO nations safe.
Meanwhile, the ARRC is continuing to take on board formations from within the British Army, and to strengthen our relationships with formations in the Alliance to ensure we are better able to mutually support each other. This is happening in tandem with the Strategic Defence Review and ongoing work to reform the British Army, with the ARRC very much at the centre of this work.
While the tempo for the Headquarters remains high, as we start to approach our Summer Leave period, I would encourage you to maintain your focus, but of course also to make the most of the weather and ensure that you get a summer break. Our focus for the autumn is Exercise AVENGER TRIAD 25 – it will, of course, be testing, and in order to succeed we will all need to be at our best. In the meantime, I very much look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the King’ s Birthday Reception in June, and at the International Families’ Day in August.
Audentis fortuna iuvat – Fortune favours the bold.
Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse KCB CBE MC Commander Allied Rapid Reaction Corps
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The diversity we have within the ARRC and as part of NATO is one of our greatest strengths. We may come from different nations, but we share one mission: to protect the values we hold dear. Our ability to lead across cultures, and to unite under a common purpose, is what makes us a formidable force. It is this collective strength of our people, and that we stand as a symbol of unity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the Alliance. Furthermore, I have noticed that when the ARRC speaks, people tend to listen, and where the ARRC goes, people tend to follow! During my time as the CSEL I have witnessed firsthand the power and legacy of the ARRC throughout the Alliance, but also how quickly it can be undone. That power comes from our most valuable asset, our people, and the current multinational workforce that makes up the ARRC.
Like many of you, I spend endless days and weeks out of the office working with our NATO partners and I am always proud to share our journey to becoming a fully enabled Corps. However, as the ARRC celebrates its 23rd birthday and my time here draws to a close, I think it important to reflect on the last two years, which has been a transformative period for NATO, the ARRC, and for me personally.
Primarily our time here has been shaped by the evolving conflict in Ukraine. For the ARRC and NATO, it has meant reinforcing the Eastern flank, modernizing our force at pace, and changing the mindset of our people. Moreover, the ARRC, as a key part of NATO’ s rapid response mechanism, has been at the forefront of maintaining readiness since its inception in 1992. We must continue to adapt to new types of warfare, including hybrid and cyber warfare, all while working to maintain individual and collective readiness in these challenging times.
Finally, from one professional war fighter to another, I hope you have a great summer leave, and I would like to personally thank you and your families for the support you have given to the ARRC in 2025. Audentis Fortuna Iuvat!
Command Sergeant Major Harley Upham
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Editor: Lt Col Tim Mallett
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2 SUMMER 2025 the imjin @ HQARRC NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps @ HQARRC