ISTANBUL - NATO Response Force (NRF) change of command ceremony was held in Istanbul on Sunday.
NATO Allied Forces North (AFNORTH) handed over the NRF command to NATO Allied Forces South (AFSOUTH) in the ceremony while the command of land forces was transferred from Turkey to Italy and the command of naval forces from Spain to Britain.
Turkish Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok, in the ceremony, stressed importance of NATO Istanbul summit and said that terrorism posed a threat against security and stability.
Ozkok called on countries to increase joint fight against terrorism.
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stressed importance of full operational capability of the force, and said that he was confident for the future.
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) U.S. General James Jones said that NRF would be full operation in 2006 and thanked Turkey for its contributions.
NRF mission started last year with 6 thousand soldiers.
In case of any crisis, NRF is capable of taking action within 15 to 30 days.
NRF was discussed at NATO Prague Summit. Participants had decided to form a force comprised of about three brigades and 21 thousand soldiers.
(BRC) 27.06.2004