Lt Gen Richard Shirreff CBE - Commander Allied Rapid Reaction Corps

Since my first blog last month, Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC) has now been alerted by SHAPE to be prepared for operations in Afghanistan as the core of the soon to be established ISAF Joint Command in Kabul in January 2011 for one year. The separation of 4 star theatre command from 3 star tactical command is good news and offers the opportunity to do what needs to be done properly at the appropriate level of command. In particular, I see the task of a 3 star tactical commander as binding in national contingents to a single, well thought through operational design through firm leadership while sequencing and concentrating scarce resources in order to tee up subordinate formations for success on the battlefield. As a well-trained, cohesive European led Corps HQ with 15 partner nations and a strong US spine as lead of the Operations Division and with multinationality deep in its DNA,  HQ ARRC is particularly well placed to work within a multi-national operation and drive COMISAF’s concept of operations down to the tactical level with the necessary vigour and energy. However, if this partnership is to be fully exploited it requires the best team in the fight now.
 
Meanwhile, we are extracting maximum training from the autumn exercises and I am delighted by the way the new staff team has bedded in during our first two exercises. I am also encouraged that the changes we have made to the battle rhythm and structure of the HQ will go some way to establish the cohesion needed to achieve unity of purpose in hybrid conflict and put influence at the heart of everything we do. The real test will come however during Exercise ARRCADE FUSION in November this year.
 
Aside from preparation for operations, there is much to do in order to ensure that HQ ARRC’s move to Gloucester in south west England goes smoothly. Our people are our Centre of Gravity so it is critical that we get the detail right now to ensure the move goes well and that our people are properly looked after. Hence the importance of the welfare study I have commissioned and which will report early month; hence, too, the recent reconnaissance to Gloucester by the Innsworth Welfare Group (which critically included a team of wives from a number of partner nations.) We can afford to take nothing for granted and it is my task to ensure that the various agencies in the United Kingdom recognise that the imperative of meeting our needs.
 
Finally, the need to inform key opinion formers on what HQ ARRC has to offer goes on. I have recently talked to the Strategic Advisory Group of the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C. and the Canadian Forces Staff College in Toronto on what HQ ARRC can offer by way of hybrid command and control for hybrid conflict. On both occasions I was able to meet key leaders in the Pentagon and Ottawa. In both capitals there is an understandable focus on Afghanistan and recognition that HQ ARRC offers a niche capability that can add real value and contribute to generating campaign momentum.