Message from Viktoria Hjort Malmer, acting Defence Policy Director at the Ministry of Defence of Sweden

It is an honour to introduce the second Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Newsletter produced by the Standing Joint Force Headquarters, and to have this opportunity to share impressions from several interesting JEF events in Sweden during October.

On the 13^th of October, the JEF Leaders gathered in Visby on the strategically important island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. Ongoing developments in the world and continued development of the JEF were on the agenda, and the meeting confirmed the importance our countries attach to the JEF cooperation.

The meeting was also a valuable opportunity for the Leaders to speak about the recent damage discovered on critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. As you all know, the task was given to JEF Defence Ministers to continue discussions on how the JEF can be used to increase protection of under water critical infrastructure. We look forward to following up on this.

The following week, we welcomed HMS Queen Elizabeth to Gothenburg for a couple of busy JEF focussed days. The ambitious program included a JEF Response Options workshop as well as a JEF academics’ forum. A number of high-level Swedish officials also visited the ship, including the Swedish Minister for Defence, the Supreme Commander and the Minister for Civil Defence. You can read more about the events on HMS Queen Elizabeth further down in the newsletter.

These events took place during an important period for Sweden, as we hopefully take the final steps towards NATO membership. The firm support from JEF countries, both on political and military level, has been crucial during the transition period. When we look back on this period, I am convinced that we will find comfort in the fact that we had a strong circle of friends to turn to when it mattered. We look forward to continuing cooperating with all JEF countries as NATO allies as well.

Op Firedrake - the largest JEF activity ever held

Participant nations have been contributing to the largest JEF-labelled military activity ever held - Operation Firedrake.

Operation Firedrake was the deployment this autumn of a task group built around the UK’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth but made up of vessels contributed by Norway and the Netherlands and taking part in air exercises with Finland, Sweden and Norway.

While the task group is being led by the Commander UK Carrier Strike Group, Commodore James Blackmore, it is multi-national by design, demonstrating how forces in the future will likely draw on building blocks provided by allies.

The three phases of Op Firedrake offered a real-world crisis scenario: an initial deployment of national forces, in this case the UK, going through force integration training before requesting support from other JEF nations, and finally transitioning to a NATO response.

Phase two of Op Firedrake – the JEF phase - involved UK, carrier-borne F35-B aircraft launching from the Norwegian Sea joining Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian aircraft to strike targets ashore during Finland’s Exercise Ruska and Norway’s Ex Phoenix Strike. The task group then moved south to take part in the Netherlands’ Ex Friesian Flag.

The final phase takes on a NATO flavour as operational control of HMS Queen Elizabeth transfers for the first time to Strike Force NATO for Exercise Neptune Strike, off northern Scotland.

During a port visit to Gothenburg in October, the Queen Elizabeth became a high-profile venue for a series of defence engagement events: a two-day JEF Response Option workshop; a second iteration of the JEF Forum for regional opinion formers; a press conference, and an evening reception addressed by the Swedish Minister of Defence, Pål Jonson. All events were attended by the UK’s ambassador to Stockholm, Her Excellency Judith Gough CMG.

At the same time, HMS Diamond was in the Baltic Sea, hosting UK premier Rishi Sunak and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson before the JEF Leaders’ summit in Visby, Sweden, then interacting with Baltic naval forces.

Operation Firedrake has successfully raised our profile not just among politicians, the media and opinion formers but also among the ships’ companies and air crews operating in the High North and Baltic, informing them that their hard work is strengthening JEF interoperability. As a result, JEF nations are in a better position to combine forces into a credible response against any threat to regional security.

Standing Joint Force Commander's key leader engagements

SJFC, Major General Jim Morris CB DSO, has led on key JEF engagements since the last newsletter including a JEF Panel discussion in The Hague hosted by the British Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joanna Roper CMG. This event included a rousing opening address from the Dutch Chief of Defence Staff, General Onno Eichelsheim, and was keenly supported by the Dutch Ministry of Defence and the Clingendael Institute who joined General Morris as panel members. The discussion covered all aspects of JEF with questions centring responding to hybrid activity, relationship with NATO and employment of the JEF Response Options.

In London, the OF5 Steering Group and Planning and Alignment Working Group welcomed 50 personnel from across our JEF nations to explore the exciting opportunities into 2024 and 2025. This was quickly followed by JEF Leaders in Visby, Sweden, and a series of outstanding events on HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of the deployment of the Carrier Strike Group.

The Norwegian senior staff course, equivalent of the UK’s Royal College of Defence Studies for potential 2* and above officers and their civilian counterparts, were briefed on JEF by General Morris, followed by HQ participation in a NATO JFC Brunssum event to look at tactical elements of the New Force Model.

The JEF brand continues to grow through key engagements with stakeholders, underpinned by the value JEF can add to both national and NATO plans. No doubt 2024 will continue to generate similar interest!

The JEF planning alignment working group met in London

Planners and representatives from the JEF participant nations met at the UK MOD in London 4-6 October to review, refine and agree future activities for the JEF. This is the first time the working group convened under SJFHQ J5 leadership, another important step in the development of the operational pathway of the JEF.

The main output from the meeting is an endorsed planning directive which provides a 4 year outlook of agreed JEF activities.

JEF Forum in Gothenburg

The JEF hosted an academic forum on the 17th October in partnership with the Swedish MoD. This intended to raise awareness of the JEF and generate interest amongst the international academic community. The attendees explored the unique location of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH alongside in Gothenburg, Sweden, before commencing the forum in an operational briefing room within the Ship.

Attendees explored developments of the JEF in recent years through a variety of presentations and facilitated discussion on the JEF’s role in Euro-Atlantic security. It concluded with an insightful discussion with His Majesty’s Ambassador to Sweden, Judith Gough CMG. The event was well received by all who attended and academic defence commentary has already begun with articles published by the British Army’s Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research (CHACR).

JEF Leaders met in Gotland

The JEF Leaders convened in Visby, Sweden on 13 October. This meeting took place on the island of Gotland, which holds strategic significance in the Baltic Sea region. The JEF participant nations emphasised the role of the JEF in countering regional threats in the High North, North Atlantic, and Baltic Sea. 

JEF Leaders discussed the framework’s future development, its relationship with NATO and the conflict in Ukraine. Key outcomes of the summit were the agreement of a ten-year vision for the JEF and the development of the JEF Response Options.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy addressed the meeting via video link. JEF Leaders reiterated their support to Ukraine and agreed that Ukraine shall be invited to observe JEF exercises during 2024 and 2025 in order to enhance the interoperability and capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.  

The JEF, established to complement NATO, plays a crucial role in the collective security architecture of the Euro-Atlantic region, and particularly in northern Europe. It is prepared to respond to a range of scenarios, from situations below NATO's Article 5 threshold to full-spectrum interventions during crises or conflicts, while operating in sync with NATO.

View the complete statement made by the JEF Leaders on the Government of Sweden's website

View the JEF Vision agreed by JEF Leaders

DCOM JFC BS Lieutenant General Luis Lanchares visited SJFHQ

Spanish Lieutenant General Luis Lanchares, Deputy Commander of NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum visited Standing Joint Force Headquarters at Northwood Headquarters on September 25 to discuss how the JEF can support NATO in peacetime and crisis, collaborative planning, and enhancing the existing relationship. Assistant Chief of Staff J35 Group Captain Kevin Latchman who leads development of the JEF Response Options (JROs), discussed the incorporation of the JROs into broader NATO defense strategies with Lieutenant General Lanchares.

Advancements in clinical research within the JEF Medical working group

On the 19th of September, the JEF Medical Working Group orchestrated a virtual symposium, bringing together colleagues from the Norwegian medical services, as well as participants from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK. The event was a resounding success, highlighting the collective commitment to advancing healthcare through research.

During the session, five instrumental projects, including 'Military Women’s Health: Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes' and 'Health Literacy among Norwegian Recruits', were presented, offering invaluable insights into vital areas of healthcare. The ensuing Q&A sessions sparked thoughtful discussions, underlining the depth of engagement and expertise within the group.

These briefings serve as a valuable opportunity for medical professionals within JEF to expand their understanding of crucial clinical research conducted by their peers. They also pave the way for potential future collaborations and the development of professional networks.

Looking back in time - The JEF launched at the NATO Summit in Wales in 2014

During the Wales NATO Summit on 4-5 September 2014, the United Kingdom's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon led the creation of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). This coalition was formed alongside Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Norway, with the potential to mobilise up to 10,000 troops. It was designed to respond rapidly to various crises, whether through combat, deterrence, or humanitarian aid. The initiative was a follow-up to commitments made at the NATO Summit in Wales, underlining the UK's dedication to crisis management and cooperative security. The JEF was initially designed to operate independently yet complementarily to the UN, NATO, and EU interventions.

Today, the role of the JEF has evolved considerably across domains and dimensions, as its scope of operations has been focused on supporting NATO in maintaining security in Northern Europe, specifically in the Baltic sea Region, the North Atlantic and the Arctic.

With the development of the JEF Response Options, the JEF is increasing the collective capability of the defence framework to address military threats and deter malign actions in our neighbourhood, including against our critical national infrastructure, while simultaneously supporting NATO.

• Wales Summit Declaration
• Signing of the JEF agreement

In September 2024, the JEF will celebrate its 10 year anniversary.

Previous newsletters

Click here to view the first JEF Newsletter issued in September 2023