Copenhagen / Herning, Denmark – 18 September 2026 – From 14 to 18 September 2026, the NATO Allied Reaction Force (ARF), led by NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy (NRDC-ITA), conducted an Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team (OLRT) deployment rehearsal in Copenhagen and Herning, Denmark, under the direction and authority of SHAPE.
The activity brought together personnel from ARF Headquarters and its Components, adopting a multi-domain approach to strengthen situational awareness, support operational planning and enhance the Force's readiness within SACEUR's Area of Responsibility (AOR).
A central element of the activity was the cooperation with Denmark as Host Nation, with particular emphasis on logistics, transportation and the procedures required to facilitate the potential movement, reception and sustainment of Allied forces. Direct engagement with Danish authorities and relevant stakeholders strengthened mutual understanding and practical coordination, while supporting Denmark’s collective defence from Artic to Baltic.
The OLRT, in coordination with Joint Force Command Norfolk, also contributed to the continuous refinement of ARF planning products and these activities are part of the ARF's broader effort to maintain credible and responsive options that can be made available to SACEUR when required.
The activity further demonstrated the value of ARF's multinational and multi-domain structure. By bringing together ARF Headquarters and its Components at an early stage of planning, the Force develops a shared understanding of the operational environment, strengthens interoperability and improves its ability to coordinate effects across domains.
This approach is consistent with SACEUR's vision for the ARF as a flexible, rapidly deployable and multi-domain capability, able to reinforce the Alliance whenever and wherever required. During his recent visit to NRDC-ITA, SACEUR highlighted the ARF's role as a strategic tool providing NATO with responsive options across land, maritime, air, space and cyberspace.
The OLRT in Denmark therefore represents more than a reconnaissance activity: it is part of the ARF's continuous readiness cycle, in which planning, Host Nation cooperation, logistics, interoperability and multinational integration are developed and refined together to ensure that the Alliance can respond rapidly to future security challenges.
By preparing together with Allies and Host Nations, the ARF strengthens NATO's readiness and collective defense, ensuring that credible options are available whenever and wherever needed.