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NATO Response Force

The NATO Response Force (NRF) is a technologically advanced, multinational force made up of land, air, maritime and Special Operations Forces components, that are rapidly deployable. It provides collective defence and a rapid military response to an emerging crisis. In addition, it can perform peace-support operations, provide protection to critical infrastructure and support disaster relief.

The NRF was created in 2002. Overall command belongs to Supreme Allied Commander Europe. NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum and Joint Force Command Naples assume the operational command on a rotational basis, with Brunssum leading for 2018.

The NRF was created in 2002. Overall command belongs to Supreme Allied Commander Europe. NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum and Joint Force Command Naples assume the operational command on a rotational basis, with Brunssum leading for 2018.

The NRF structure is comprised of 3 parts:

• Command and Control element: based on a deployable Joint Task Force HQ
• Initial Follow On Forces Group: These are high-readiness forces that can deploy quickly following the VJTF, in response to a crisis
• Response Forces Pool: NATO retains a broad spectrum of military capabilities encompassing command and control, combat and support units through the Responses Forces Pool (RFP). The forces are drawn from the much wider pool of Allied or Partners National deployable forces.

Allies and partner nations have to meet strict standards to participate to the NRF. As a result, during the 6-18 month period prior to assuming the role of an NRF high-readiness unit, various training and exercises are held to integrate the national contingents and standardize their procedures. Following the Wales Summit in 2014, Allies decided to enhance the NRF by creating a Spearhead Force within it. The Very High Readiness Joint Task Force was formed to better respond to the changing security environment to the east and south of the Alliance’s borders.

NRDC-ITA was certified 4 times and entered the NRF stand-by period in 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2018. After the 2011 NRF "tour of duty", the Lisbon Summit followed, and NRDC-ITA along with the Italian Defence, started to focus on providing the NATO Force Structure with a Joint Command and Control Capability.

Validation as Land Component Command 2018: Brilliant Ledger 2017
Preparation to Land Component Command 2018: Eagle Meteor-Summer Tempest 2016

Past NRF Exercise