Home  /  Newsroom  /  News  /  2017  /  Example for the Whole Alliance

On Tuesday 31st of October General Salvatore Farina, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCB) paid a visit to Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast. During his visit General Farina discussed way ahead for the Corps and shared his insights with us in an interview.  

Looking to the future, what is the way ahead for NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP)?
We are very satisfied with what we have implemented and achieved so far, but we will do more. We want to enhance the jointness of eFP Battlegroups (BG) and improve their integration within the Host Nation brigades. We will include eFP BG into joint multinational exercises that also involve air and maritime components. This rotational persistent presence of the Battlegroups in the Baltic Countries and Poland is a catalyst in which NATO should invest. It brings standardisation, commonality and mutual understanding. We are lucky because it is under Command and Control of MNC NE and JFCBS. We must not forget that alongside MNC NE and JFCB there is also newly established Headquarters Multinational Division Northeast (MND NE), located in Elblag – Poland. This is another very important pillar of the land domain.

How do you assess importance of NATO Force Integration Units (NFIUs)? What is their role in the deployment of the eFP?
I think that NFIUs are very, very important in order to facilitate the deployment. They give us a better understanding of the in-country situation. They also perform planning role and are involved in the exercises and the eFP. They are small elements, about 40 people strong, but important ones. They are multinational and represent NATO’s presence in each of the eight countries (six in MNC NE Area of Operation). We are working on how to improve them and how to increase their role.

General Salvatore Farina, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCB) paid a visit to Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast.

How do you see regional role of the MND NE in the future and MNC NE in it?
The higher command – LCC – could direct not only the MND NE or VJTF but also other units deployed based on the situational requirement. MNC NE and MND NE will be the land headquarters responsible for what is taking place in the region. I am in continuous contact with MND NE’s Commander and his Staff. Therefore, the transition from peace to crisis would be much easier. LCC and MND NE are solid and demonstrate willingness and capabilities.