Joint Expeditionary Force completes exercise JOINT PROTECTOR 24

02.12.2024
Military exercise
NATO
In Latvia
Informāciju sagatavoja
Joint Expeditionary Force

The Joint Expeditionary Force, with its sizeable UK contingent, has completed Exercise JOINT PROTECTOR 24 in Liepāja, Latvia.

The Joint Expeditionary Force, a partnership of 10 nations, has successfully concluded its participation in Exercise JOINT PROTECTOR 2024, held in Liepāja, Latvia. This key multinational exercise was carried out to allow the JEF’s Operational Headquarters to prove its ability to deploy and respond to an unfolding near real crises scenario in the Baltic and Nordic region.

The JEF is a coalition of ten like-minded Northern European nations, who share a commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. It is separate to NATO but aligns closely with it to conduct exercises and activities which supports the defence of the High North, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea Region. For JOINT PROTECTOR 24 more than 300 personnel from the ten nations deployed to Latvia and worked seamlessly with further staff at PJHQ Northwood in the UK.

Major General Tom Bateman CBE, UK’s Standing Joint Force Commander and JEF Operational HQ Commander, emphasised the value of such exercises in confirming the readiness of JEF forces and their ability to work cohesively with NATO. “As a high-readiness deployable HQ Exercise JOINT PROTECTOR 24 has been a real success, it has improved the integration of Participant Nations and has allowed us to work more effectively together. Exercising in Latvia has not only helped us refine our Joint Response Options but it has also allowed everyone to have a greater understanding of the region’s security challenges.”

This was the signature JEF annual exercise and for Latvia, hosting this year’s iteration, highlighted the nation’s commitment to regional defence and intention to strengthen coordination with NATO allies. The Deputy Commander of JEF, Brigadier Kaspar Pudāns said “The conduct of the exercise in Latvia increased our alignment of the understanding of the contested environment in the Baltic Region. We were pleased to support the JEF with both real life support and as an integral part of the staff team”.

The exercise scenario, developed by the UK’s Integrated Warfare Centre, prompted a range of actions designed to simulate the rapid response needed in the face of potential conflict in the region. The real-world complexity of these situations is underscored by the continued tensions in the Baltic region, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. With NATO’s focus on strengthening deterrence and defence in Europe, the JEF’s presence in Latvia reinforces the security, for both its members and for the broader region.

This year’s exercise also featured several high-profile visits and engagements. Importantly amongst the visits were exercise observers from Ukraine, whose presence facilitated a discussion forum where ideas and lessons were shared between Participant Nations. As the JEF continues to evolve, it’s ability to operate from diverse locations and respond to crisis swiftly remains a cornerstone of its value to the security of Northern Europe.

The conclusion of Exercise JOINT PROTECTOR 24, highlights the JEF’s continued commitment to enhancing NATO’s warfighting capabilities and its role as a vital component of the collective defence of Europe. With the next exercise already on the horizon, the JEF remains a key element in the Alliance’s evolving approach to regional security challenges.