HQ NRDC-ESP

2024

In 2024, the NATO Joint Targeting and Effects Conference organised by SHAPE and the Joint Targeting Annual Discipline Conference, both aimed at discussing the importance of credible and effective Joint Targeting and Effects capabilities in high-intensity operations, are hosted.

As part of NATO's deterrence and defence effort on the Eastern flank, HQ NRDC-ESP has a Corps Forward Element (CFE) permanently deployed at the Kuchyna base in Slovakia since March. This CFE facilitates liaison with the national authorities within the assigned area of responsibility and allows the national and allied chain of command to be permanently informed about the evolution of the operational situation in the area.

On 23 July, LTG Luis Sáez Rocandio was appointed as new commander of HQ NRDC-ESP. The ceremony took place on 30 July and was presided over by the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Army.

As of July 2024, with the addition of Slovakia to the HQ, the number of nations present in the NRDC-ESP HQ has increased to 13.

2023

In 2023, HQ NRDC-ESP was deeply involved in several training exercises showing our commitment both to NATO and Spain. Maintaining and improving our Warfighting Corps skills and capabilities acquired during 2022 was crucial for the headquarters.

The fourth edition of the seminar on NATO Emerging Concepts, organized by the HQ NRDC-ESP, was held in January 25 and 26 at the Army War College (Madrid).

In April, HQ NRDC-ESP again hosted the fourth edition of the NATO Information Environment Assessment Tiger Team in Valencia, underlining the paramount importance of the cognitive dimension and bringing together practitioners from a wide range of countries and organizations and institutions.

From 16 to 27 October, CGTAD/HQ NRDC-ESP conducted the exercise Valiant Lynx 23 deploying to both Marines (Valencia) and Szekesfehervar (Hungary).  During this exercise, new concepts were tested using state-of-the-art technology.  

On 17th November 2023, Major General Sergio Valente Marques was officially appointed as new Deputy Commander of the HQ NRDC-ESP, a position occupied by Portugal, taking over from outgoing Deputy Commander, Major General João Boga Ribeiro, in a parade held at the HQ premises.

Throughout the year, Commander visited the affiliated Portuguese and Greek Brigades, demonstrating the commitment to training.

2022

On January 1st^, the HQ NRDC-ESP began its stand-by period as Warfighting Corps of the Alliance. The designation for this new commitment is an exciting challenge and represents once again the strong commitment of Spain, and particularly the HQ NRDC-ESP, to the Alliance.

On 11 January, Spanish Army General (ChoA) Amador Enseñat y Berea inaugurated the CGTAD Historical Hall. This Historical Hall shows the presence of the Army in the Convent of Santo Domingo since the establishment of the headquarters of the “Capitanía General of Valencia” in 1842.

The HQ NRDC-ESP organized a seminar on NATO Emerging Concepts at the Army War College (Madrid) on February 15 and 16. The seminar analyzed the strategic environment and the threats identified by NATO, presenting new concepts under development to face them.

HQ NRDC-ESP, with the support of the Spanish Joint Headquarters (EMACON), hosted the NATO Conference on the Information Environment Assessment Tiger Team (NIEATT) in Valencia, from May 3 to 5. The meeting was organized by NATO HQ, Supreme Allied Command Europe (SHAPE) and NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT).

His Majesty the King Felipe VI visited on May 25 the HQ NRDC-ESP, at the "Jaime I" base in Bétera where he was briefed about the structure and organisation of the HQ NRDC-ESP. Felipe VI had the opportunity to check the capabilities of the headquarters by visiting the deployable command posts, both the main and tactical, the operations centre and the situation centre, from where operations are controlled and monitored.

Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the Atlantic Alliance Military Committee, visited the HQ NRDC-ESP at its two locations in Valencia and Bétera, accompanied, among other authorities, by the Spanish Chief of Defence (ChoD), Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón.

The Cognitive Maneuver Seminar was held at the HQ NRDC-ESP facility in Bétera from September 19-23. It was given by the Operational Environment Integration Directorate of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. 

On 11 October, Spanish and allied military personnel of HQ NRDC-ESP commemorated the 20th anniversary of the headquarters with a 20-kilometre march and a military parade in the presence of military representatives from the 12 countries that are currently members of the headquarters.

To conclude the year, Lieutenant General Fernando García-Vaquero Pradal, Commander HQ NRDC-ESP, handed over the NATO "Warfighting Corps" Guidon to Lieutenant General Levent Ergün, Commander HQ NRDC-T in Istanbul, Turkey.

Throughout 2022, HQ NRDC-ESP was on standby as NATO's headquarters for Warfighting Corps operations.

2021

During 2021, HQ NRDC-ESP preparation and certification as Warfighting Corps (WFC) for 2022 was the main focus.

From April 19th to May 4th, a CPP (Corps Planning Process) took place with the aim of developing the tactical operations order for the Steadfast Leda 2021 exercise that would take place at the end of the year. This planning phase was carried out at the HQ NRDC-ESP facilities in the “Jaime I” military base in Bétera (Valencia). Response cells from both NATO and Spain units participated in the process.

One month later, the exercise Valiant Leda 2021 (VALE21) started. This exercise consisted of three separate Battle Staff Training (BSTs I, II and III) for the preparation of Steadfast Leda 2021.

From May 24th to 30th, a DEPLOYEX exercise was conducted simultaneously at the tactical esplanade of the Bétera, Marines and Paterna military bases. The aim was to test the transition from the main command post to tactical and alternate command posts.

From May 31th to June 4th, the HQ NRDC-ESP conducted its first BST of the VALE21 exercise, deploying in the Bétera military base. This BST I based in fictitious incidents to be resolved by the staff, was focused on training core processed and synchronizing the battle rhythm.

From September 20th to 30th, HQ NRDC-ESP executed the VALE21 BST II with the aim of training in extended core processes and to complete the knowledge of the operational document in Bétera military base.

The BST III, previous to the WFC certification was divided in two parts. From 2nd to 4th November the first part took place at the HQ NRDC-ESP facilities with the aim of refining the battle rhythm and the operational procedures. The second part was conducted to refine core processes and finalize augmentees’ integration in Araca military base (Vitoria-Spain) 15 days later.

From November 18th to December 3rd, the HQ NRDC-ESP conducted the exercise “Steadfast Leda 2021” (STLE21) in Araca military base. The aim was to train, evaluate and support the certification of HQ NRDC-ESP as a NATO Warfighting Corps Headquarters. Over 800 troops from 17 different nations were deployed to be prepared for the future demanding role as WFC 2022. This exercise was supported by almost 50 experts from LANDCOM as an evaluation group based on Izmir (Turkey). The Exercise Control (EXCON) cell composed of more than 130 military personnel, was led by Joint Force Training Center (JFTC) from Bydgoszcz (Poland), except some elements in Vitoria (Spain).

On 2nd December the HQ NRDC-ESP was certified as WFC 2022 by Commander LANDCOM, Lieutenant General (US) Roger L. Cloutier. During the afternoon, a ceremony for the Transfer of Command between NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) and NATO Rapid Deployable Corps-Spain Headquarters (NRDC-ESP), took place at the Araca military base. This made the new commitment of the HQ NRDC-ESP as NATO Warfighting Corps official for the coming year.

2020

On January 1, 2020, the Headquarters NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Spain (HQ NRDC-ESP) begins its stand-by period as Joint Task Force Headquarters (Land Heavy) of the Alliance.

On January 8, 2020, Lieutenant General Fernando García-Vaquero takes command of the Headquarters NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Spain (NRDC-ESP) during a ceremony presided over by the Chief of the Spanish Army, General Francisco Javier Varela Salas. The ceremony is held at Jaime I Military Base in Bétera (Valencia).

On March 11^th the World Health Organisation raises the emergency situation due to COVID-19 to pandemic. On March 14^th, the Spanish Government declares the State of Alarm which meant strict measures to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Spanish Armed Forces were included in the response from the very beginning. On 12 March Operation Balmis kicked off with the activation of a Response Cell in the ESP Army General Staff. The CGTAD/NRDC-ESP began, in turn, its internal planning process by identifying military capabilities and by activating its NRDC-ESP Crisis Cell, as a 24/7 operations structure to assess and support the Commander, monitor the operation, and direct the subordinate Units. The CGTAD/NRDC-ESP and its subordinate Units were able to maintain their capabilities and a high readiness status to carry on with their commitment as a JTF HQ and fulfil any additional commitment related to the pandemic

The HQ NRDC-ESP conducts the exercise DEPLOYEX II/20 from the beginning of September in Bétera military base. The exercise starts with the deployment of the Initial Command Element (ICE) and the activation of the Situation Centre (SITCEN). This exercise is the culminating event in a series of activities in its JTF HQ (Joint Task Force Headquarters) role, prior to starting the preparation for its next commitment as Warfighting Corps. An important challenge for this exercise is to carry out a deployment that guarantees security conditions against COVID 19, maintaining the social distance and implementing a strict sanitary hygiene protocol.

2019

From May 6 to 14, the High Readiness Force Land Headquarters (CGTAD in Spanish) conducts the JFX 19 exercise, organized and led by the Spanish Operations Command (MOPS). During the exercise the Headquarters deployed its main command post in Valencia. Around 1300 soldiers from the Spanish army, navy and air force participated in the exercise to test the Spanish Operations Command (MOPS) capability to command and control the land, maritime, air, special operations and cyber component commands. 

During September and October, the execution phase of the Trident Jackal 2019 exercise (TRJA19) takes place at the San Isidro military base (Menorca), where the HQ NRDC-ESP deploys its command post as JTF (Joint Task Force) Headquarters and its associated JLSG (Joint Logistic Support Group). The aim of this exercise was to evaluate the ability to lead a multi-national allied Joint Task Force with army, navy, air forcé and special operations elements as part of a small joint operation (land heavy) assigned by NATO to opérate in a designated area of operations. 

The exercise Trident Jackal 2019 (TRJA19) came to an end after a 20 day deployment on Menorca Island. On October the 7th, the Headquarters NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Spain (HQ NRDC-ESP) succeeded in its evaluation to obtain the certification as Joint Task Force Headquarter (JTF HQ).

2018

From May 20 to 28, the execution phase of the "Valiant Lynx 18" exercise is conducted, the largest and most important commitment of the Spanish Army with NATO during 2018. Valiant Lynx 18 exercise is organized and led by the HQ NRDC-ESP from Chinchilla training area. Around 5000 soldiers are deployed mainly in Chinchilla (Albacete) and San Gregorio (Zaragoza) training áreas.

Valiant Lynx 18 exercise consists on two phases, a computer-assisted exercise (CPX), and another phase LIVEX with real deployment of forces in San Gregorio. The XII Brigade Guadarrama of the San Marcial Division with Leopard 2E tanks and Pizarro armoured vehicles, with helicopters from the Army Aviation unit (FAMET) and fighters of the Spanish Air Force are the main assets deployed in San Gregorio.

From June 20 to 27. the High Readiness Force Land Headquarters (CGTAD in Spanish) participates in the JFX MOPEX 18 exercise as the Land Component Command deploying its main Command Post.

The JFX MOPEX 18 is a CPX exercise (computer assisted exercise) based on component commands to train the operational structure of the Spanish Armed Forces and certify the Full Operational Capability of the Spanish Operations Command (MOPS  in Spanish).

2017

From 17th to 18th of October, the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Spain Headquarters (HQ NRDC-ESP) hosts a new edition of the Land Command Corps Commanders´ Conference (LC3) in Valencia. 

This conference, organized by Allied LANDCOM, was supported by the HQ NRDC-ESP. These semi-annual conferences are hosted by the Alliance Headquarters within Europe on a rotational basis and this time the city of Valencia was designated to host it. Being chaired by Lieutenant General Darryl A. Williams, Commander Allied Land Command (LANDCOM), it brought together Corps Commanders and leaders from the NCS for collaboration, development and refinement of NATO’s land strategy. In particular, the shared objective for the 11th edition of this forum was to develop the land adaptation strategy using the theme ‘Command and Control: How we fight’. 

From November 3 to 18, around 100 military personnel of the HQ NRDC-ESP participated in the TRIDENT JAVELIN 17 exercise (TRJN17) held at the facilities of the Joint Warfare Center (JWC) in Stavanger (Norway). The aim of this exercise was the certification of the Allied Land Command (LANDCOM in its acronym in English) of the Command Structure of NATO as a Land Component Command. 

From the NRDC-ESP Headquarters, a simulated multinational Army Corps Command Post was deployed in Stavanger.

2016

Spain commits with the NATO allies to contribute with the Land Component Command (LCC) of the new enhanced NATO Response Force (eNRF), improving its capabilities, availability and deployment time based on the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Spain  Headquarters (HQ NRDC-ESP in its acronym in English) of Bétera, and also providing the Brigade "Galicia VII" with a battalion as a spearhead and able to deploy in 48 hours, which could be added another 4 multinational battalions.

As a result of this commitment, the HQ NRDC-ESP as the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) of the NATO Response Force, performs the exercises BRILIANT JUMP 16 and VALLIANT FALCON 16 deploying in Poland, and putting into practice the demanding criteria of this new concept VJTF.

2015

At the end of the year, the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Spain Headquarters (HQ NRDC-ESP) held the TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2015 exercise deploying its Command Post to the "General Ricardos" Base in Zaragoza (Spain).

The exercise, which was played from the 3rd October to the 6th of November in different locations of Spain, Italy and Portugal, had two phases.

The first phase, from the 3^rd to the 16^th of October, was a Command Post Exercise  to certify the enhanced NATO Response Force for 2016 (eNRF 2016). The second one, from the 21^st of October to the 6^th of November, was a Joint Combined Military Operation carried out by land, air and sea, overarched by NATO Connected Forces Initiative (CFI) to guarantee the interoperability of NATO units.

During the exercise, the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force concept (VJTF) will also be experienced. In 2016, a Spanish Brigade and various Battalions of allied nations will lead the VJTF under the command of HQ NRDC ESP, located in Bétera (Valencia).

NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (HQ NRDC-ESP) was certified as Land Component Command of the new NATO Response Force 2016.

2014 

The NATO Rapid Deployable Corps - Spain Headquarters (HQ NRDC-ESP) carried out the TRIDENT JAGUAR 14 exercise to be certified as the first deployable Joint Task Force Headquarters (JTF HQ) for Small Joint Operations-Land Heavy (SJO-L(H)) at the NATO Force Structure. 

The exercise was held in Menorca island (Spain) in May.

2013

2012

As part of the NATO Long Term Rotation Plan, HQ NRDC-ESP was deployed in Afghanistan. Around 200 members of the staff deployed to the ISAF Joint Command Headquarters in Kabul.

The mission was to coordinate the military units and the regional commands of the International Security Assistance Force for Afghanistan at the operational level. HQ NRDC-ESP COS, Major General Cabeza Taberné, became DCOM of IJC HQ while HQ NRDC-ESP DCOS OPS, Brigadier General Antolín García took over responsibilities as the new Communication Director.

 

2011

During this year, the HIREX 11 exercise was carried out in order to prepare HQ NRDC-ESP deployment in ISAF Joint Command Headquarters in 2012.

2010

2009

 

2008

2005 

2004

2003