'the imjin' magazine Autumn 2019 | Page 4

Corps strength Training gears up as ARRC takes on key NATO commitment Staff working at the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps can look forward to a testing period of exercises over the coming year – as NATO builds on the world class warfighting capability of the Corps. The additional training comes as the ARRC prepares to be held ‘at readiness’ by NATO as its corps warfighting headquarters from next year. Gloucester remains a great place to live and work. That role is supported by a well- resourced exercise programme, particularly over the next 18 months, beginning with the internal Exercise ‘Arrcade Fusion’ in Cornwall this autumn, the opportunity for bilateral training with the U.S. military in spring 2020, and then a formal NATO combat readiness evaluation next November. WORKOUT PLAN Bench Mark Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne has completed the handover of command of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps from Lieutenant General Tim Radford. Smyth-Osbourne (pictured right) said: “I am delighted to be joining the multinational team here at Chief of Staff Major General Jez Bennett said: “This is a busy time for the ARRC as we enter our ‘exercise season’ towards the end of the year. to be held at readiness since the Cold War. “But it’s also an exciting time as we look forward to being designated as the first NATO warfighting corps HQ “Professionally it will be very satisfying as we prove our capabilities on Exercise ‘Arrcade Fusion’ in November. the ARRC – and I’d like to praise my predecessor General Tim Radford for his time at the helm. “I’m really looking forward to my time here in Gloucester, and continuing to develop the strong bond our NATO troops enjoy with the city.” For more visit bit.ly/GlosHOTO “But I promise that we will continue to balance the hard work with other training and time spent with our families, ensuring that Gloucester remains a great place to live and work.” FLAG DAY Hundreds of people have shown their support for the British military as Gloucester celebrated ‘Armed Forces Day 2019’ with a colourful parade through the city. Flag-waving crowds – in places three or four deep – gathered on College Street to watch the parade depart from Gloucester Cathedral on the hottest day of the year (so far). Multi-national NATO troops from the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps joined 4 AUTUMN 2019 the imjin other military personnel from the British armed forces, as well as many veterans and cadets as the parade made its way from the medieval cathedral to the city’s historic dockyard. A special ceremony was held at the Gloucester Docks, which included a speech by the ARRC’s Chief of Staff on behalf of the British armed forces, as well as a flypast by a Second World War Spitfire aircraft. @HQARRC Allied Rapid Reaction Corps