NATO MUltimedia

This year the Turkish Army is leading NATO’s VJTF. But what is a VJTF? And why is it important in a crisis situation?

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.

This is the international version of an edited video. Please refer to the master or master with subtitles versions for the full transcript.