Underlining the UK’s position as the principle European player within NATO, the British Army’s 1st (United Kingdom) Division (1 (UK) Div) is to be the Land Component Command of the all-new Allied Reaction Force (ARF).
A display in the Joint Warfare Centre showcasing the outline of Norway and the flags of Norway (right) and NATO (left).
NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy deputy Commander Major General Jez Bennett.
The Joint Warfare Centre Stavanger location sign, which provides distances and directions to other NATO locations.
The development of the ARF presents a wholesale change and upgrade in the ability and speed at which the alliance’s rapid deployment forces can operate. Although its predecessor, the NATO Response Force may well have had a similar name, that is certainly where the similarities end.
The ARF is a vastly larger multi-national force, comprised of different components operating across five domains in unison to achieve ARF objectives. Those domains are: land, maritime, air, cyber and space; in essence it represents the new NATO Force Model that provides the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) with a larger pool of high-readiness capability. It is the pivotal role of commanding the ARF’s land component that will be the responsibility of 1 (UK) Div.
The Division has been rigorously tested to ensure its readiness for the role of Land Component Command within the Allied Reaction Force
The ARF operates in what is referred to as multi-domain operations, meaning that the different components work across the five domains listed above, alongside civilian authorities, government departments, agencies and external stakeholders all synchronised to achieve long-term defence and deterrence effect.
Exercise Steadfast Deterrence, the final cog in the Steadfast Defender series of exercises, held in Norway back in May acted as the proving ground for the new concept. 1 (UK) Div’s successful completion resulted in it being validated to take command, which commenced at the beginning of July.
Following its validation and eagerly anticipating the Division’s new role, its Commander, Major General Dan Reeve remarked, “The Division has been rigorously tested to ensure its readiness for the role of Land Component Command within the Allied Reaction Force.”
As the first two-star warfighting Land Component Command held at high readiness, elements of it could well expect to be ordered out the door at between zero to 10 days’ notice to conduct NATO core tasks. These could include peacetime vigilance; deterrence; and defence.
Within 1 (UK) Div’s Land Component to the ARF, SACEUR will have at his disposal a land brigade formed by 7 Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team, an aviation task force and an integral operational sustainment brigade supported by elements of 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.
Although based in York where it will remain during its tenure as the ARF Land Component, unless of course required to deploy operationally to wherever it is needed, 1 (UK) Div will be under the command of NATO’s Rapid Deployable Corps located near Milan in Italy.
During this period the Division’s troops will train and operate alongside colleagues from across the spectrum of NATO member states. In doing so they will be strengthening relationships and building friendships; the very glue that makes the alliance the bedrock of European security.
