This year the Turkish Army is leading NATO’s VJTF. But what is a VJTF? And why is it important in a crisis situation?
Synopsis
In 2021, the Turkish Army is leading NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) – NATO’s spearhead force, designed to be deployed within two or three days should a crisis occur. Leadership of the VJTF rotates between Allies on an annual basis, and Turkey is leading the force from 1 January 2021 to 1 January 2022.
Numbers of VJTF personnel fluctuate each year. In 2021, the VJTF consists of 6,400 troops from 12 countries. In May and June 2021, the force deployed to Romania to take part in exercise Steadfast Defender 2021.
Lieutenant General Roger L. Cloutier Jr, Commander of Allied Land Command, explains more.
Footage includes various shots of soldiers from different NATO countries training at Cincu exercise area in Romania as part of NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 2021.
Transcript
--UPSOT (ITALIAN)— Spread out!
--TEXT ON SCREEN--
WHAT IS NATO’S VJTF?
TEXT - LTG ROGER L. CLOUTIER JR Commander, Allied Land Command
--SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH)— Lieutenant General Roger L. Cloutier Jr, Commander Allied Land Command “A VJTF is a Very High Readiness Joint Task Force and it demonstrates NATO’s capability to have a highly trained, rapidly deployable unit on standby to respond to crisis or conflict if necessary.”
--TEXT ON SCREEN--
IN 2021 THE TURKISH ARMY IS LEADING THE FORCE
THE FORCE CONSISTS OF 6,400 TROOPS FROM 12 COUNTRIES
--SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH)— Lieutenant General Roger L. Cloutier Jr, Commander Allied Land Command “As NATO LANDCOM commander, I focus every day on the combat readiness of NATO’s land forces and the VJTF is the tip of the spear.”
--END--
Music
After Hours by Russo
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