Readiness and Alliance cohesion are the primary focus of our military headquarters. Exercise BRILLIANT JUMP II demonstrated NATO’s ability to deploy and integrate the VJTF with allied forces to enable NATO’s continued deterrence and defence posture.
BRJUII, sponsored by NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum and planned since mid-2019, tested the planning and conduct of early deployment of forces in the Baltic Region. The ability to activate, equip and move the VJTF from home stations to the exercise theatre enables strategic readiness and viable military reinforcement.
VJTF brigade during exercise Brilliant Jump 2020, part II in the Pabrade training area, Lithuania on November 3, 2020. Photo by OR-9 Leo Roos, JFCBS Imagery section.
The VJTF comprises a Mechanised Battalion from the Czech Republic, a Mechanised Company from Lithuania; a Brigade Headquarters, Spearhead Battalion, Special Forces and CBRN Task Force Headquarters from Poland, and an Infantry Battalion from Spain. These land forces were led by Multinational Corps North-East (MNC-NE) throughout the exercise.
The NATO Force Integration Unit-Lithuania assisted with liaison, coordination and assistance to the VJTF as they transitioned from their home stations to the Lithuanian Military Training Area, Pabrade. Equipment travelled by rail, road, air and sea to complete journeys from Spain, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Brigadier General Dariusz Lewandowski, Commander of the Polish 21st Mountain Brigade, which presently forms the core of NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, during his meeting with the press, on November 3, 2020 in the Pabrade training area, Lithuania. Photo by OR-9 Leo Roos, JFCBS Imagery section.
Validating NATO’s ability to rapidly and effectively deploy forces to a theatre of operations enhances the comprehensive nature of its capabilities and collective commitment to mutual defence.
The successful conduct of such an exercise at a time of global pandemic pays tribute to the professionalism and commitment of NATO forces whose actions were, at all times, compliant with host nation measures to restrict spread of the virus. On completion of BRJUII some VJTF elements will stay in theatre to participate in the Lithuanian-led exercise Iron Wolf II 20, alongside soldiers serving in enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Lithuania, whilst others will return to base.