The Commanding General and the Flag Officers
The Commander Eurocorps (COMEC) is a lieutenant general (3 stars). The Deputy Commander (DCOM) is a major general (2 stars). The staff is directed by the Chief of Staff (COS), also major general; he is supported by two Deputy Chiefs of Staff (DCOS) for Operations and Support, both of whom are brigadier generals (1 star).
The Legal Advisers, Public Information Office, Air Representation, Navy Representation and, in operations, a Political Adviser, directly support the Commanding General.
The COMEC, the Legal Advisers, Public Information Office, Air Representation, Navy Representation and, in operations, a Political Adviser and the staff, together form the Headquarters, whose primary role is to plan and conduct operations ranging from humanitarian aid and crisis reactions to the defence of member countries and the Alliance. On operations, the COMEC commands subordinate major units and co-ordinates land operations supported by air and maritime forces.
The posts of Commanding General, DCOM and the other general officers as well as some key functions are filled by EC framework nations on a rotational basis. COMEC, DCOM and COS are always of different nationalities. Their tour of duty lasts two years.
The Senior National Representatives
Within the HQ Eurocorps, all ‘framework’ and ‘sending’ nations are represented by a Senior National Representative (SNR). The EC framework nations’ SNRs hold the posts of DCOM, COS, DCOS Operations and DCOS Support. The Sending Nation's SNRs are double-hatter and fully integrated throughout the EC Staff. Despite their different ranks and positions, the SNRs have equal rights when acting as such.
The Legal Advisers
The Legal Advisers (LEGAD) directly report to the Commanding General
The branch of Legal Advisers consists of civil and military personnel whose role is to give advice to the Commanding General as well as to the Staff on legal topics, particularly on:
- provisions of law that are applicable in operations (Rules of Engagement, Law of Armed Conflict and other fields of international law),
- international treaties and agreements,
- legal topics related to host nation law and international law,
- contractual law,
- tax and environmental law, and
- claims.
The Public Information Office
The Public Information Office is located in the "Aubert de Vincelles" compound. It is a team of twelve personnel, amongst them four press officers from four of the five Framework Nations: Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain.
The Chief PIO (Colonel SUEVOS - Spain) is a position held for two years based on to a rotational system. The chief has the same nationality as the Commanding General.
The main missions of the PIO are:
- Plans (Major BARRET - France),
- Contacts with the media (Lieutenant Colonel FUCHS - Germany),
- Media monitoring and analysis (Major BILLON - Spain),
- Internal information (Commandant HAEGDORENS - Belgium),
- Public relations (in peacetime only).
The Air Representation Eurocorps (AREC)
“Air warfare cannot be separated into little packets; it knows no boundaries on land and sea other than those imposed by the range of action of the aircraft; it is a unity and demands unity of command.”
(Marshall of the RAF Lord Tedder)
Joint forces’ operations between land and air forces and, if appropriate, maritime forces, are crucial for a successful mission accomplishment. Joint forces’ operations supporting land forces are in direct connection with corps level operations.
The Air Operations Coordination Centres (AOCCs) co-ordinate the intents and operations of Army Corps and CAOC commanders. The AOCC is subordinated to the CAOC/AOC commander and co-located with Corps HQ.
In peacetime the Air Representation EC links Eurocorps to the air chain of command. The Air Representation is therefore involved in all Eurocorps air-related activities. The Air Representation also contributes to the corps mission, if an AOCC is required for Article V operations, for multinational crisis management, peacekeeping or humanitarian operations.
AOCC Mission
In times of crisis and conflict, the mission assigned to AOCC is to represent NATO’s air force intentions and capabilities in the corps headquarters by performing the following missions:
a. Provide air expertise and stay in contact with the corps commander on behalf of the CAOC Commander.
b. Coordinate CAOC air operations with the corps’ air and land operations.
c. Inform the CAOC on the corps commander’s intentions and the needs of air support to the land campaign.
The Naval Representation (NAVREP)
NAVREP is a multinational advisory and liaison organization working for the COMEC. It is composed of representatives of the navies of the EC framework nations (Belgium, France, Germany and Spain). They are points of contact in the Maritime Headquarters (MHQ) of the framework nations. Currently one assigned LNO is acting as Head NAVREP.
Neither the EC nor the NAVREP organisation own or command naval forces, naval air forces or amphibious forces. When not engaged in exercises or operations, the NAVREP advises the COMEC on maritime aspects related to EC activities.
The NAVREP represents the MHQs and/or national naval authorities at the HQ EC and advises the COMEC on naval forces, including aspects of interoperability between land, air and maritime components. The NAVREP informs the MHQs and/or national naval authorities responsible for conducting naval operations on current and planned EC activities. The NAVREP briefs the HQ EC on the concept of employment of naval forces including co-operation with the EC and, similarly, briefs naval authorities on the EC concept of employment. Finally, the NAVREP briefs the HQ EC on naval force organization and operations, and liaises with the staffs responsible for maritime transport.
