The 7th Brigade in the United Kingdom leads the 7th Light Mechanized Combat Brigade team, starting from January 1, 2024, the NATO Rapid Response Force, placing thousands of soldiers on high alert and ready to deploy within days.

According to a statement issued by the NATO media office today, Thursday, the NATO High Readiness Joint Task Force was created after Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and was first deployed for collective defense of the alliance after the Russian military operation in Ukraine in 2022.

The command position rotates annually among the allies, with the United Kingdom taking responsibility next year, succeeding Germany which led the force in 2023. The Joint Task Force is the highest readiness element in NATO's larger response force, which also includes air and naval forces.

In 2024, the Joint Task Force ground forces are expected to comprise about 6,000 soldiers, including the 7th Light Armored Combat Brigade "Desert Rats." The brigade consists of a light cavalry regiment, four light mechanized infantry battalions, with artillery, engineering, logistics, and medical companies.

The units include the Royal Anglian Regiment and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Overall, nine NATO members provide forces.