NATO’s Rapid Reaction Force Starts Noble Jump Exercises in Poland

NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) is starting its Noble Jump drills in Poland on Tuesday, which is the first time that the alliance’s rapid reaction units are conducting tactical maneuvers under the new VJTF framework.

WARSAW (Sputnik) – Poland’s Defense Ministry informed on its website on Tuesday that the goal of the exercise is to "check in practice the units’ performance in a situation as close to actual field conditions as possible."

Over 2,100 servicemen will take part in the drills that will see the participation of Poland, Germany, Norway, the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

The Noble Jump exercise is part of NATO’s Allied Shield series, which also includes Trident Joust, BALTOPS and Saber Strike drills.

The exercises are NATO’s response measures to challenges on its eastern periphery, according to the alliance’s website.

Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over the buildup of NATO forces in Eastern Europe, which started amid the Ukrainian conflict. The alliance has been accusing Moscow of meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs. Russia has repeatedly denied the claims, which have not been supported with any factual evidence.

NATO exercises and deployments near Russia since 2014

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