The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced that Northwood Headquarters will enter it’s first period of British military operational deployment to boost troops undergoing a series of planned exercises across Europe.
The base is the current location of the Stand Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ), which provides operational command and control to the UK Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a British led force which also works with allies such as Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Northwood HQ will be one of the SJFHQ’s three linked ‘nodes’, the other two being in Latvia and Lithuania. They will provide support to the JEF during the exercises.
The exercises will include 8,000 British troops and will also see the deployment of several major pieces of military equipment to other allies.
While some of the drills are routine, it is also thought they are being carried out to emphasise the UK’s role in defending Europe and deterring Russian aggression, following their invasion of Ukraine in February.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The security of Europe has never been more important.
“These exercises will see our troops join forces with allies and partners across NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force in a show of solidarity and strength in one of the largest shared deployments since the Cold War.
“Operating across Europe, the British Army will stand alongside partners, combining our capabilities and shared values, promoting peace and security.”
Photo Credit: Ministry of Defence
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