NATO certifies the NRDC-ITA as a Land Component Command for eNRF 2018
Bellinzago Novarese (Novara), 12 October 2017. NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy has successfully completed its “Brilliant Ledger 2017” exercise and achieved its certification. Brilliant Ledger was a command-post exercise, based on a complex scenario able to test the most delicate aspects of modern crises and conflicts.
The exercise was carried out at the "Valentino BABINI" barracks in Bellinzago Novarese, where the NRDC-ITA Command was deployed as well as at the "Ugo Mara" barracks in Solbiate Olona (VA), where the Italian Army Simulation and Validation Center of Civitavecchia (Rome) directed the Exercise. About 1,000 servicemen and women from 85 different units from the Italian Army, Navy, Air Force and Carabinieri, as well as from 15 other NATO member countries participated in the exercise. Over 40 military experts from the NATO Allied Land Command of Izmir (Turkey) overwatched the entire evaluation process, which concluded with top marks for the NRDC-ITA.
The purpose of "Brilliant Ledger 2017" was to test the NRDC-ITA's ability to plan and conduct high-intensity operations as the Land Component of the "enhanced" NATO Response Force (eNRF). The eNRF is an advanced military tool that allows the Alliance to face any threat, either for Collective Defense or in so-called Crisis Response Operations, on very short notice.
As Land Component Command of the eNRF the NRDC-ITA will also retain command and control over the land forces of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), whose task is to ensure the very first and immediate NATO response to possible threats, being on 5 to 15 days notice to move. The VJTF consists of highly operational multinational forces, currently enhancing the traditional NRF structure. This tool is also supported by an airborne, maritime and special forces component.
The 1st Signal Regiment (Milan) ensured communications and information flow for the exercise, in compliance with the highest technology and security standards while RESTAL (the NRDC-ITA Logistic Support Regiment) provided real life support and transportation.
During the certification ceremony Lieutenant General Darryl A. WILLIAMS, Commander of the NATO Allied Land Command and Lieutenant General Salvatore FARINA, Commander of the NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFC-BS) (the Netherlands), were present. "NRDC-ITA is a very important resource for NATO, for the Italian Armed Forces and for the Protection of Peace and Security in the Euro-Atlantic Area and beyond” said General FARINA.