I have spent three days with HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) on its annual training exercise, ARRCADE FUSION 14, in November 2014. The exercise took place at RAF St Mawgan near Newquay in Cornwall. One of its aims was to test the air and sea command capability of the ARRC, following its ‘upgrade’ to a combined joint task force headquarter. You can read more about ARRCADE FUSION 14 and the ARRC here.
As last year, I was again fully embedded with the legal team. During my stay, a range of exciting questions of operational law arose, involving both the law of armed conflict and other branches of international law. The highlight this year was to observe up close the planning process for a particular operation, which really helped to bring home the role of law and legal advice in an operational setting.
Having visited St Mawgan on previous occasions, the occasionaly stormy weather did not come as a surprise, although I will now invest in a warmer sleeping bag for next year…
