ARRC NEWS
NATO RESPONSE FORCE Maj
Erik Smith
Many of our readers will either be intimately involved in the final preparations for NATO Response Force ( NRF ) or will have heard it spoken of at home . But what is the NRF and why does it matter ?
NATO will tell you that “ The NATO Response Force ( NRF ) is a highly ready and technologically advanced multinational force made up of land , air , maritime and Special Operations Forces ( SOF ) components that the Alliance can deploy quickly , wherever needed . In addition to its operational role , the NRF can be used for greater cooperation in education and training , increased exercises , support for disaster relief and better use of technology .”
In other words , the NRF is a body of NATO personnel who are trained , equipped and ready to go anywhere in the world , if called , to do a range of jobs when needed .
So , what does this mean for members of the ARRC and their families ? ARRC personnel will be held at readiness to deploy when given notice to do so . Some will have shorter timelines than others – being required to deploy within 48hrs of receiving a notification . Others will have longer timelines , up to two weeks in some cases .
How likely is it that the NRF will be called ? Elements of the NRF were activated in August 2021 to support the evacuation and relocation of Afghans who worked alongside NATO , and their families . Similarly , in response to Russia ’ s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 , NATO deployed high-readiness elements of the NRF for the first time in a deterrence and defence role .
Should ARRC personnel be called to support on a task , there is no telling where this could be or for how long , which will undoubtedly cause concern and uncertainty . However , families can rest assured that there is a comprehensive support package in place to look after them if their loved ones are sent away .
Allies contribute to the NRF in various ways and the burden is shared on a rotational basis , where allied countries commit land , air , maritime or Special Operations Forces ( SOF ) units , usually for a period of 12 months . However , the ARRC is in a unique position ; being that the HQ will only be NRF for 6 months ( from 01 Jan – 30 Jun 24 ) and will be the last HQ to take on the mantle of NRF . From Jul 24 , NATO will move to the Allied Reaction Force as part of the transition to the new NATO Force Model .
Formations which are chosen to be NRF must be certified as capable of fulfilling the role before they take it on . Some of our readers may have noticed that their friends and loved ones spent most of October in Romania . This was as part of Exercise STEADFAST JUPITER – which was the certification exercise to ensure that the ARRC is trained and able to undertake the role of NRF . If you want to know more about this , we have an article on it in this magazine .
As ever , HQ ARRC remains professional in what we do and committed to our people and the families who support them . You are integral to the success of the ARRC in our endeavours and your support is appreciated more than you know .
4 WINTER 2023 the imjin