The Netherlands takes over meteorology for the NATO Response Force

WOENSDRECHT AIRBASE, The Netherlands – For the first time, the Dutch Defence Joint Meteorological Group (JMG) have taken the lead in providing weather forecasts for every exercise or deployment of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). The Netherlands succeeds the United States and assumes responsibility for the next two years.

Last year initial preparations got underway. “Thanks to our sophisticated automated systems and expertise we are ready in the event of a rapid NRF deployment, capable of providing meteorology and oceanography products. Anytime, anywhere across the world,” said Commander of the Joint Meteorological Group at Woensdrecht Airbase in the Netherlands, Lieutenant-Colonel Douwe Minnema.

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) requested the JMG to fulfill this tasking. The U.S., U.K. and France have all provided this support prior to the Netherlands rotation. Several thousand meteorology and oceanography products are produced every day. In order to make concise decisions, a commander needs the necessary weather forecast for combat situations.

The NATO Response Force (NRF) remains a highly capable and technologically advanced multi-national force made up of land, air, maritime and Special Forces components that the Alliance can deploy quickly to wherever it is needed.

As a part of NATO restructuring post-Wales Summit, the NRF established a Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) which can deploy within days. Any such deployments rely heavily on such support which will now be provided by the Dutch Defence Joint Meteorological Group.