SJFHQ Invited by Host Nations
Britain’s Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ), usually based at Northwood, London, is now operating across a further two temporary locations in Lithuania and Latvia, with UK liaison officers in Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Sweden.
The deployment, at the invitation of the host nations, will see around 180 UK personnel working near Vilnius in Lithuania and in Riga, Latvia. It coordinates military activities from and between JEF [Joint Expeditionary Force] nations in the Baltic Sea region, at a time of heightened focus on regional security and cooperation. The deployment was agreed by all ten JEF nations at a meeting of their defence ministers in February.
“This vital deployment demonstrates our defensive partnerships within the ten-nation alliance of the Joint Expeditionary Force. The JEF represents a shared commitment with like-minded countries for the security and stability of Europe at this pivotal time,” stated British Defence Minister, Ben Wallace.
JEF nations have a common commitment to democracy, security and stability, with a geographical focus on the Baltic Sea region, the High North and the North Atlantic. The UK is the framework nation for the JEF, working alongside partners Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. The partnership is designed to complement NATO, with the potential to deploy worldwide. The current deployment involves over 220 personnel, from the UK and other JEF nations, including specialists in cyber, space and information operations.
“The security of the Baltic Sea region has never been more important, and this deployment demonstrates our collective resolve to maintaining that security,” added Maj Gen Jim Morris, commander of SJFHQ.
