HQ NRDC-ESP

Battle Management Cell at the exercise

Command Post at the exercise

Exercise Control cell

NATO's Rapid Deployment Headquarters (HQ NRDC-ESP) located in Bétera, has been participating since 19 October, in the VALIANT LYNX/TORO-20 exercise at the Jaime I Base, and deploying its command post to support the training of other units of the Spanish Army. This exercise is also one of the training activities to assume its new role as Warfighting Corps in conventional operations. The HQ NRDC-ESP will be able to command up to five (5) divisions from various Alliance countries, in a high-intensity operation, against a peer-to-peer adversary of similar capabilities and technologically advance.

The main purpose of the exercise, assisted by computer, is to train the “San Marcial Division” Headquarters stationed in Burgos, and the HQ NRDC-ESP as the higher echelon in the context of an Article 5 operation.

The implementation of the exercise has also required the establishment of a structure command and control, communications and logistic support, and the deployment of more than 300 military personnel at the Bétera Base, including military personnel from allied countries. This personnel are in addition to the more than 1250 deployed in other parts of Spain, such as Burgos, Zaragoza, Córdoba, Pontevedra and the Canary Islands.

During the exercise students from the Degree of International Relations of the European University of Valencia, pay a visit to the Command Post, to understand their capabilities as well as the operational implications of the commitment with NATO.

COVID protection measures have been applied at all times, which have not affected the development and objectives of the exercise.