Solbiate Olona, 7 June 2026 – In preparation for future Mission Rehearsals, two Allied Reaction Force (ARF) teams from NRDC-ITA conducted Operational Liaison Reconnaissance Team (OLRT) activities in Finland and Sweden from 31 May to 6 June 2026, under the coordination of SHAPE.
The OLRT activities represented an important opportunity to establish direct engagement with Host Nation representatives and to further strengthen cooperation and coordination mechanisms aimed at ensuring effective logistical and infrastructural support in the event of a future deployment.
The reconnaissance activities focused on enhancing mutual understanding of operational requirements, reception and staging capacities, sustainment planning, and infrastructure availability, all essential elements to guarantee rapid force projection and operational effectiveness in support of NATO missions.
Since 1 July 2024, NRDC-ITA has been operating as the Allied Reaction Force (ARF), NATO’s high-readiness and strategically deployable force designed to provide a rapid, scalable, and multi-domain response to emerging crises across the Alliance’s area of responsibility. The ARF represents a fundamental component of NATO’s deterrence and collective defence posture, capable of deploying quickly and operating in complex and evolving security environments.
The visit highlighted not only the importance of close cooperation among Finland and Sweden as Host Nations, JFC Norfolk, SHAPE, and NRDC-ITA, but also the Alliance’s continuous commitment to readiness, interoperability, and modernization of operational capabilities.
Joint planning, reconnaissance activities, and operational training remain essential to maintaining a high level of preparedness among Allied forces. In this context, the OLRT mission further reinforced the role of ARF NRDC-ITA and its Components as a key reference point for operational readiness, multinational integration, and technological innovation, promoting advanced and interoperable solutions to address future security challenges.