On 25^th April, the new Commander of the 1^st German-Netherlands Corps (1 GNC), Lieutenant General Nico Tak of the Royal Netherlands Army, visited Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) for the first time in his new role. He was welcomed by the Commander JFCBS, General Jörg Vollmer.

The world today is an uncertain world. Our nations count on us, and we will not let them down!

General Tak took over command of 1 GNC on 17^th March of this year, following Lieutenant General Andreas Marlow of the German Army. In total, the personnel of the 1 GNC is composed of military and civilian staff of twelve different NATO nations, Command of the Corps always alternates between the two framework nations.

The Corps is located in Münster, Germany, and constitutes a special example of European military integration. As a NATO Headquarters, it is able to plan and conduct military operations with up to 100.000 soldiers, whether under the command of either the two framework nations, the European Union, or NATO. In 2023, 1 GNC will assume the role of the Land Component Command of the NATO Response Force (NRF), under the operational control of JFC Brunssum.

This future assignment was the main topic discussed between General Tak, General Vollmer and the JFCBS Senior Staff. General Tak explained the progress the 1 GNC has made in the preparations for taking over the NRF role next year, and received briefings on the current challenges JFC Brunssum faces in the light of the Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine. Both Commanders reiterated that NATO is a defensive Alliance, ready and willing to defend its members and its territory and cooperate with its partners.

General Tak resumed: "The world today is an uncertain world. Our nations count on us, and we will not let them down!"