IFS conference Wednesday 30 May, Oslo: Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF)

SIGN UP FOR “JOINT EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (JEF)”

The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) is a multinational contingency force led by the United Kingdom. Its purpose is to conduct a variety of missions, including high intensity operations.

JEF was officially launched as a British initiative at the NATO summit in Wales in September 2014. Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and the Baltics have taken part in JEF from the beginning, whereas Finland and Sweden joined in June 2017.

This contingency force consisting of contributions from nine Northern European countries will be operational following a final exercise in April/May, and the subsequent signing of a joint document. The IFS research programme Security and Defence in Northern Europe (SNE) will therefore host this conference on the subject at the end of May.

The Conference

The conference aims to enhance understanding of the JEF through a qualified debate, with both political and military contributions. By including representatives from both NATO and non-NATO countries it also aims to provide different perspectives on the concept.

Programme

Welcoming remarks 

• Professor Kjell Inge Bjerga, Director IFS

Keynote opening

• Frank Bakke-Jensen, Norwegian Minister of Defence

Panel

• British perspectives: Air Vice Marshal Bruce Hedley, Director Joint Warfare Joint Forces Command (UK)
• Norwegian perspectives: Major General Yngve Odlo, Chief Operations, The Norwegian Defence Staff
• Swedish perspectives: Rear Admiral Jonas Haggren, Head of Policy and Plans Department in the Joint Defence Staff/Swedish Armed Forces HQ
• Finnish perspectives: Brigadier General Vesa Virtanen, Chief of Planning, The Finnish Defence Forces

Panel debate

• Moderated by Professor Rolf Tamnes, IFS

Closing remarks

• Professor Kjell Inge Bjerga, Director IFS