Response Force demonstrates capability in first exercise

The first elements of NATO's new Response Force (NRF) demonstrated their capabilities in a mock crisis response operation held in Turkey on 20 November.

Elite troops from 11 NATO countries were deployed by air, sea and land to counter a fictional threat to UN staff and civilians from terrorists and hostile soldiers in a country outside the Euro-Atlantic area.

The forces rescued and evacuated the UN staff and civilians, established an embargo, engaged in counter-terrorist operations and a show of force.

The aim of the exercise was to demonstrate the capabilities of the NRF, which once fully operational in 2006 will number 21,000 troops and be able to deploy anywhere around the world in five days to tackle the full range of missions.

The NRF was officially launched on 15 October. It will have an initial operational capability by next year, and be fully operational by the fall of 2006.

Speaking to reporters during the exercise, General James L. Jones, NATO's top operational commander, said that the creation of the NRF "marks an important recognition on the part of the Alliance that the international security environment has changed dramatically ."