READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW
Kit being offloaded at the Sea Port of Disembarkation in Alexandroupolis, Greece
this function MND-SE created a bespoke
ops room to command and coordinate the
whole process with ARRC EC personnel
integrated into each of the branches.
Whilst the HQ ARRC staff were subject
matter experts on RSOM and had lead
in the development of the plan, MND-
SE staff had the local knowledge and
command relationships that proved vital
for the execution phase.
Although the RSOM process was the
focus of the Exercise, it did not require any
exercise scenarios. The challenges faced
were real world, and included diplomatic
clearance issues, air traffic control
strikes, breakdowns, road closures and
civil disturbances blocking convoys; all
requiring multi-nation communication
and coordination to solve.
the NFIUs and relevant government
departments of the NATO country in
question.
• The existing NATO deployment plans
need to be bolstered by an organisation
analysing and planning the deployment
of the VJTF as a main focus. Due to the
short timelines and lack of enablers, the
deployment of this element is perhaps
more complicated than the entire follow
on force. Early and full integration of
TCNs, JLSG and RSOM HQ personnel
is vital to develop a successful plan and
ensure smooth execution.
• It is essential to practice the challenges of
conducting multi-national deployments
across international borders outside
the freedoms presented by war.
Financial and political restrictions limit
opportunities to conduct exercises like
NOJP17 at the size and scale needed
to validate these processes. Yet an
experience of all the possible frictions
could prove critical for the timely
deployment of the VJTF in response to
any future emerging crisis.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Capt Mark Matthews is the Adjutant of
Enabling Command branch at HQ Allied
Rapid Reaction Corps and is the Battle
Captain for the nominated NRF JLSG 17.
So What?
With deployment of the VJTF into a
realistic operational environment at the
heart of the exercise, NOJP17 was a
huge success and the A-JLSG concept
showed its merit. The VJTF forces
arrived with the commander in Cincu in
good time and good order despite the
1750km covered and multiple borders
crossed. There were three significant
learning points:
• To be effective, the necessary logistic
enablers need to be held at the same
readiness as the VJTF and to have
pre-established
relationships
with
Kit being loaded onto
a Roll On-Roll Off
Ferry at the end of
Ex NOBLE JUMP 17
ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS
19