Trident Juncture 2015, NATO’s biggest exercise in more than a decade, has ended with a show of force in Spain and Portugal. 36,000 troops from 28 Allies and nine partner nations were involved in the month-long training across Italy, Spain and Portugal.
One of the reasons for holding Trident Juncture was to certify the command of NATO’s quick reaction force, the NATO Response Force, for 2016. Next year Spain will lead the spearhead of this force, known as the VJTF, which will have some elements ready to move within two to three days.