What is NATO’s VJTF?

In 2021, the Turkish Army is leading NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) – NATO’s spearhead force, designed to be deployed within two or three days should a crisis occur. Leadership of the VJTF rotates between Allies on an annual basis, and Turkey is leading the force from 1 January 2021 to 1 January 2022. Numbers of VJTF personnel fluctuate each year. In 2021, the VJTF consists of 6,400 troops from 12 countries. In May and June 2021, the force deployed to Romania to take part in exercise Steadfast Defender 2021. Lieutenant General Roger L. Cloutier Jr, Commander…