It is three months since Russia invaded Ukraine, and with it the security situation in the world changed.
If Russian President Vladimir Putin attacks a NATO country, it will force the entire defense alliance into war. The day after the war broke out, on February 25, NATO activated the emergency preparedness force NRF, which was set up for the first time to defend the alliance.
“This is a historic moment and the very first time the Alliance has used these emergency services in a deterrent and defensive role,” said US General Tod Wolters.
Now one of the brigades in the NRF, the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), has completed the largest exercise in several years.
– The situation is serious, says Pål Berglund, head of Brigade North, the largest unit in the Norwegian Army.
SERIOUSLY: The emergency preparedness exercise is especially important this year due to the situation in Europe. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / The Armed Forces
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Preparing for major war
The VTJF, which consists of approximately 11,000 soldiers, is NATO’s highest contingency element and rapid reaction force, which the alliance has created to be able to deploy forces anywhere in the world in a matter of days.
8,000 of these soldiers, from nine different NATO countries, trained together in Germany in mid-May. Norway participated with 700 soldiers and over 200 military vehicles.
– Surrounded by nodding dolls
– It has been several years since we have had such a large contingency exercise in NATO, and it is especially important now given the situation in Europe, says deputy commander of VJTF (L) -23, Colonel Kjetil Pettersen, to Dagbladet.
GREAT EXERCISE: 8000 soldiers participated in the exercise in Germany, which is the largest NATO exercise in a long time. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / The Armed Forces
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If NATO ends up in a conflict, it is this force that will immediately travel where it is needed to defend the alliance until other forces are ready. It can be anything from presence in conflict-ridden areas, to major wars.
– VTJF is prepared for the worst if the worst imaginable should happen. If Russia attacks a NATO country, the principle applies that the entire defense alliance is attacked. We really do not hope that something so terrible will happen, but if it does, we are ready, says Pettersen.
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Men:
– It is basically another NATO force that is on standby in 2022. The force that has recently been on exercise in Germany, is in principle only on standby next year. But if something extraordinary happens, such as Russia attacking a NATO country, we will still be able to travel at short notice.
– Talking about the war
Enlisted soldiers from Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia and the Czech Republic have participated in the exercise “Wettinger Heide”.
INJURY HANDLING: Part of the exercise is about handling injured soldiers. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / The Armed Forces
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The core of the exercise is the combat operations where the enemy operates against the brigade, and a large part of the exercise therefore involves a department playing an opponent. In addition, there are factors at all levels to make it appear as realistic as possible – everything from injured people who must be transported to hospital to media handling of the incidents and re-supply of forces.
– Time to wake up
– It is very important that we get trained together across nations to be ready for battle, because it is only when you do things on the ground that you see if everything works as it should or not. We can not theorize to a good cooperation – we must meet and do things together, says Berglund and adds that he feels that the countries are well connected.
LOTS OF EQUIPMENT: This is what it looked like when the Army’s rapid reaction force got ready to send departed vehicles and equipment from Rena before the exercise. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / The Armed Forces
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– How is the mood among the soldiers?
– The brigade mainly consists of professional soldiers with war experience from, among others, Iraq and Afghanistan. Most have participated in similar before, but I still think that the soldiers feel that it is extra important and relevant with such exercises now. Everyone is talking about the war in Ukraine, and I think the current situation in Europe gives increased motivation to train and become even better. I think this applies to conscripts at home in Norway as well, says Berglund and concludes:
– And the work they put in is appreciated. The Norwegian divisions maintain a high standard internationally and are a credible contribution to NATO.
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