Commander of Allied Rapid Reaction Corps on a visit to Finland

Commander of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse visited Finland on 2.2.2026. The visit was hosted by Commander of the Finnish Army, Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki.

The visit started at the National Defence University where Lieutenant General Wooddisse met university personnel and briefed the general staff officer course students on the role and operating of his forces, as well as met Chief of the Defence Command Finland, Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen.

The discussions during the visit emphasised continued further-deepening cooperation between the Army and the ARCC following the NATO’s Multi-Corps Land Component Command Northwest (MCLCC) becoming operational. Cooperation between the commands has been particularly close since 2023. 

– Our cooperation with the Finnish Army has evolved into a close, operational partnership built on trust, interoperability, and shared resolve and it is growing stronger by the day. As NATO allies, we stand together: ready, united, and prepared to respond decisively to any attempt at coercion or aggression, Lieutenant General Wooddisse summarises.

– Cooperation with NATO’s strategic reserve formation has been logical, practical and set a strong basis for exercise activity especially with forces of the United Kingdom. Systematic doing together has reinforced confidence in each other’s competence which is absolutely crucial under the ever-changing conditions on the modern battlefield.  Our readiness to respond to varying situations jointly and resolutely is at a good level, Lieutenant General Välimäki says.

Operating from the United Kingdom, the ARRC of NATO functions as the deployable command headquarters for the strategic reserve of NATO. Lieutenant General Wooddisse and his forces have operated in Finland in a number of exercises and planning events in recent years.

Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse briefed the general staff officer course students on the role and operating of his forces 2.2.2026