I German/Dutch Corps
| I. German/Dutch Corps | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Active | 1991 - present |
| Country | Germany, The Netherlands |
| Branch | Army |
| Part of | NATO Response Force |
| HQ/Garrisons | Münster (D), Eibergen (NL), Garderen (NL) |
| Motto(s) | Communitate valemus Together we are strong |
| Commanders | |
| Corps Commander | Lieutenant General Tony van Diepenbrugge |
| Deputy Corps Commander | Major General Volker Wieker |
| Chief of Staff | General Armin Staigis |
The I. German/Dutch Corps is a multinational formation consisting of units from both the Dutch and German armies. It is also part of NATO's Response Force, a military force consisting of approximately 25.000 troops. The Corps' headquarters are situated in Münster (Westphalia), formerly being the headquarters of the German Army's 1. Corps out of which the 1. German/Dutch Corps evolved. Due to its role as NATO High Readiness Forces Headquarters, soldiers from other NATO member states, the United States, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom amongst others, are also stationed at Münster. The official language is English.[1]
History
In 1991 the defence ministers of The Netherlands and Germany decided to establish a binational unit. In 1993 a treaty between the two countries was signed which resulted in two previously independent corps being amalgamated to form the I. German/Dutch Corps. The corps' readiness for action was achieved on 30 August 1995 and celebrated in the presence of the Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok and the German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. The headquarters were chosen to be in Münster due to Münster being of particular significance for both countries as the place where the Peace of Westphalia was signed.
The original tasks of the corps lay in the defence of the territories of NATO member states as part of NATO's main defence force as well as taking part in peacekeeping missions, humanitarian missions and emergency aid during natural disasters.
Soon after its readiness for action, the corps was given new tasks: if required, the staff can be put under the authority of the European Union and since December 1999, the corps is a Land Component Command within NATO's command structure.
At the same time, the transition to a multinational unit began. After concluding exercise "Cannon Cloud" at the Baumholder proving ground in November 2002, the corps became "High Readiness Forces (Land) Headquarters" (HRF(L) HQ) as part of NATO's Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF). The first deployment within this framework took place between February and August 2003 when the corps functioned as ISAF's headquarters in Afghanistan.[2]
Following this, the "Land Component Command" was further developed. From the beginning of 2004, the corps was subordinate to "NATO Joint Forces Command" in Naples and became "NATO Response Force-Headquarters" (NRF) in November 2004. During the first half of 2006 it was deployed as the fourth headquarters (NRF-4) relieving NRF-3, NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy (NRDC-IT) at Solbiate Olona. The corps successfully completed exercise "Iron Sword" in June 2005 whereby more than 6.000 troops and 2.500 vehicles were moved from Central Europe to Norway.
With the transfer of the first Belgian officer in 2005 and ten French officers in 2006 to Münster, twelve nations are represented at the I. German/Dutch Corps.
On 16 January 2008 the I. German/Dutch Corps assumed command of NATO Response Force NRF-10.
Current structure
When not deployed the I. German/Dutch Corps consists only of administration and logistic support. However, in an emergency the corps must be able to deploy and to lead a military mission inside and outside NATO territory within twenty to thirty days. The following units are permanently assigned to the I. German/Dutch Corps:
- HQ company
- Staff Support Battalion (Münster)
- Communication and Information Systems (CIS) Battalion (Eibergen and Garderen)
Both battalions are fully binational, manned with German and Dutch soldiers.
Notes
- ^ "I. Deutsch-Niederländisches Korps". Retrieved 2008-02-24.
- ^ "History of the garrison Münster". Retrieved 2008-02-24.