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The JRRF is essentially the
fighting force that PJHQ has immediately available. The JRRF provides a
force for rapid deployment operations using a core operational group of the
Army's 16th Air Assault Brigade and the Royal Navy's 3rd Commando Brigade,
supported by a wide range of air and maritime assets including the Joint
Force Harrier and the Joint Helicopter Command.
The force uses what the MoD has described as a 'golfbag' approach with a
wide range of units available for specific operations. For example, if the
operational situation demands assets such as heavy armour, long range
artillery and attack helicopters, these assets can easily be assigned to the
force. This approach means that the JRRF can be tailored for specific
operations, ranging from support for a humanitarian crisis to missions
including high intensity operations.
The 'reach' of the JRRF has been enhanced by the Royal Navy's new amphibious
vessels HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, that have recently entered service. Both of
these ships will be able to carry 650 troops plus a range of armoured
vehicles including main battle tanks. A flight deck will allow ship-to-shore
helicopter operations.
Responsibility for providing units to the JRRF remains with the single
service commands who ensure that units assigned are at an extremely high
state of readiness. JRRF units remain committed to NATO.
Under normal circumstances, the Army would ensure that the the following
land forces were available to the JRRF: a brigade sized grouping held at
High Readiness and two Strategic Reserves—the Spearhead Land Element (SLE)
held at Extremely High Readiness and the Airborne Task Force (ABTF) held at
Very High Readiness. To command the JRRF a Joint Task Force HQ (JTFHQ) is
maintained at 48 hours notice to move.
Since Operation Telic (Iraq) commenced the High Readiness Brigade has been
routinely deployed to Iraq, and has therefore been unavailable to the JRRF.
However, the SLE and ABTF have been maintained throughout.
The force commander is the CJRRFO (Chief of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force)
who is responsible to the Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) at PJHQ. CJRRFO is
supported by the Joint Force Operations Staff at PJHQ who provide a fully
resourced Joint Task Force Headquarters (JTFHQ) at 48 hours notice to move
anywhere in the world.
Joint Force Logistics Component
The Joint Force Logistics Component (JFLogC) provides a joint logistic
headquarters with force logistics under the command of PJHQ. It delivers
coordinated logistic support to the deployed Joint Force in accordance with
the commander's priorities. The composition of the JFLogC will be determined
by PJHQ during the mission planning stage. Two logistic brigades have been
assigned to JFLogC.
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