First NATO Response Force exercise
at Doganbey/Turkey on 20 November 2003

News 20 Nov. 2003 Response Force demonstrates capability in first exercise Background The NATO Response Force Registration form .PDF/ 8Kb .DOC/31Kb

After the inauguration of the NATO Response Force (NRF) on 15 October 2003, a first demonstration of certain capabilities provided by 11 NATO member nations will be conducted at Doganbey/Turkey Military Training Range (south of Izmir) on Thursday, 20 November 2003.

Exercise “ALLIED RESPONSE 03” will illustrate selected aspects and capabilities of NRF in a field training exercise scenario portraying a United Nations mandate and a NATO-led Crisis Response Operation beyond NATO’s Area of Responsibility. The exercise depicts the NRF conducting Maritime Presence, Show of Force, Counter-Terrorism, Non-Combatant Evacuation, and Embargo Operations.

Participating in the exercise will be elements of the first rotation of the NRF, including the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Turkey, the Spanish High Readiness Force (Maritime), and Allied Air Forces North Europe. Also participating are land, air, and naval elements from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Norway, Spain, Turkey, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

Note to the editors:

Media wishing to attend are kindly asked to respond to SHAPE PIO, Media Section, by using attached registration form no later than 10 November 2003 via e-mail or fax.

SHAPE plans to have limited air transport available (free-of-charge) for international media from Brussels. The plane will depart from Melsbroek on 19 Nov 03, late morning. Return to Melsbroek will be around midnight on 20 Nov 03. Reservation for a one-night hotel accommodation at your expense will be included for this travelling party, if requested through form.
Media travelling on their own and media in Turkey, please contact Joint Command South East PIO, Tel.: 0090-232-411 ext.1081 for international media or 1083 for Turkish media, Fax: 0090-232-411-1088.
Please note, certain nationalities require Visa for travelling to Turkey.

More details for further planning:

On 20 Nov at about 1000 hrs, a 90-minute demonstration will lead the spectators through a fictitious scenario of a major political conflict. Video-clips presented on large screens and live demonstrations will reflect future possible NRF operations and related processes. The demonstration will be followed by a “meet-the-press” standing conference with Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General James L. Jones, and Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces North, General Sir Jack Deverell, on the range. After completion, national troops will be available for discussions and additional activities.

For cameras, you will need to “choose-and-select” certain ongoing events. Additionally, video clips used during the demonstration plus footage that cover locations where no cameras can be positioned during the exercise will be made available.

A press centre will be activated at the Hilton Hotel, Izmir. Lines, working stations, computers will be available for your use until departure to Training Range.
No facilities will be available at the Range.
After completion of the event, at about 1430 hrs, we’ll depart for Izmir airport, where there will be a Press Centre activated with lines, working stations. A local TV station “TRT” in Izmir will provide feed capacity. TV stations need to contract through TRT for any requirements.

ETD from Izmir back to Brussels is planned for 1800 hrs, subject to changes.