Grand
Alliance
UK Defence Secretary hails NATO
as ‘cornerstone’ of security
It’s great to have
such an important
part of the NATO
architecture here
in the U.K.
The British Defence Secretary, The
Right Honourable Gavin Williamson MP,
has expressed his ‘ambition and pride’
for the vital role of NATO’s Allied Rapid
Reaction Corps in Gloucestershire.
During his first visit to the alliance’s
base in the west of England, the
Minister praised our multinational
staff for their contribution to the
‘cornerstone’ of security.
He met with senior commanders,
as well as addressing the
headquarters staff, telling them:
“NATO is the absolute cornerstone,
not just of our security here in the
United Kingdom, but the cornerstone
of the security of every European
nation and the United States
and Canada.
TOP BRASS PICKS UP
The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps’ next
commander has been announced as
Major General Sir Edward Alexander
Smyth-Osbourne KCVO CBE from the
British Army. Smyth-Osbourne enlisted in the Army
and joined The Life Guards in West
Germany in 1983, and has served on
operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo,
and Afghanistan.
General Smyth-Osbourne (pictured
right), is currently serving as Deputy
Commander at NATO Rapid Deployable
Corps – Italy (NRDC-IT), our sister
headquarters in Milan. Before the general’s most recent
appointment serving with NATO
in Italy, he was General Officer
Commanding Headquarters London
District. But he is perhaps best
known for his role as Prince Harry’s
Commanding Officer when the
prince undertook active service in
Afghanistan.
The cavalryman, who will be promoted
to Lieutenant General on appointment,
is expected to take over as ‘COMARRC’
in the summer.
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“It’s great to have such an important
part of the NATO architecture here
in the U.K.”
VALUE
He continued: “What makes
the strength of the ARRC as an
organisation, a structure that so
many nations look to with envy, is the
fusion that we have with personnel
from all different nations bringing
their knowledge, their expertise, their
passion, and their commitment.
“We know that your capabilities, your
will, and your expertise that you bring
is second to none, so thank you very
much for your work. It is great to
see you and to have a much better
understanding of the value of what
you bring.”