01/30/2014: Various Land Sea, and Air exercises as part of NATO multi-national training exercise in early 2014.
For NRF 2014 rotation NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) gives his specific guidance to JFC Brunssum to train, prepare and certify the Immediate
Response Force (IRF) and the elements designated in the Response Forces Pool (RFP).
Participation in the NRF is preceded by a six-month NATO exercise programme in order to integrate and standardise the various national contingents. The NRF 2014 will then be held on stand-by for 12 months to deploy on operations.
Since 2012, the NATO Response Force (NRF) rotational period lasts 12 months starting 1st January. The operational command of the NRF alternates between the two NATO’s Joint Force Commands (JFC) Brunssum, the Netherlands and Naples, Italy. In 2013, JFC Brunssum is in charge for training, prepare and certificate the NRF package for 2014.
http://www.jfcbs.nato.int/jfcbrunssum/operations/nato-response-force/nrf-2014-rotation.aspx
The NATO Response Force (NRF) is a highly ready and technologically advanced multinational force made up of land, air, maritime and Special Operations Forces components that the Alliance can deploy quickly wherever needed. The NRF will become more important post-2014, after the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has completed its mission in Afghanistan.
It will provide a vehicle to demonstrate operational readiness and act as a “testbed” for Alliance Transformation. It can be used in the implementation of the Connected Forces Initiative (CFI) as a vehicle for greater cooperation in education and training, increased exercises and better use of technology.
On 21 February 2013, defence ministers agreed that the NATO Response Force will be at the core of the CFI in order to maintain NATO’s readiness and combat-effectiveness
As part of the initiative, ministers agreed that the Alliance should hold a major live exercise in 2015 that will include the NRF and draw up a comprehensive programme of training and exercises for the period 2015-2020.
The NRF is comprised of three parts: a command and control element from the NATO Command Structure; the Immediate Response Force, a joint force of around 13,000 high-readiness troops provided by Allies; and a Response Forces Pool, which can supplement the Immediate Response Force when necessary.
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49755.htm
Credit: NATO Channel:1/27/14