The MNCS Bde
Multinational Command Support Brigade

Command Support comprises the capabilities allowing a commander to exercise effective control over his forces.
 
Besides staff support, these capabilities are: information management, communications, command and control information systems within the HQ and between the headquarters and subordinate units, other supporting functions necessary to ensure the deployment, the strengthening and the protection of the headquarters' echelons and finally Real Life Support (RLS) such as food, lighting, ablutions, fuel, office equipment and administration.

The Multinational Command Support Brigade (MNCS Bde), which is under the Commanding General's operational command, is the unique example among the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDC) of a Command Support Unit without any organic deployable Combat Service Support and CIS (communications and information systems) units with the exception of HQ Spt Bn, which is directly subordinated to the MNCS Bde in peacetime already.  

A document called  "Troops Concept" lists the dedicated and affiliated units that are expected to ensure the availability of the required capabilities in due time and at the right place.
The Multinational Command Support Brigade in its new structure was created when the Eurocorps was transformed into a Rapid Reaction Corps.
 
Summer 2001 witnessed the first steps towards the new structure with the arrival of the commander and the first personnel, who were mainly recruited from the existing EC Staff. After the end of the exercise Cobra 01 in November 2001 the new structure started to take shape. By the end of February 2002, most of the personnel had joined the Bde Staff.

Studies were presented to define the command support concept, the missions and the needs of the Brigade in preparation for the evaluation process as a NATO High Readiness Force (Land) HQ. The Brigade passed NATO's evaluation test with flying colours and continues to improve its operational capabilities.
Currently, the Staff of the Brigade and a CIS company in Strasbourg and a Signal company in Sigmaringen support the EC HQ and its first CP elements in case of deployment.
The Staff is responsible for planning, preparing and training for the support of the EC Headquarters' echelons operational deployment. It shares this responsibility with those units that are dedicated in peacetime.
In exercises and operations, the MNCS Bde ensures the command of all support functions considered necessary to facilitate the command & control of the operations. The Brigade is also able to deploy, ope-rate and support all the EC Headquarters' echelons (command posts), permanently applying the force protection rules.

The Eurocorps Commander can constantly rely on the Multinational Command Support Brigade as a completely devoted element.