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Arracade Fusion

In October 2000 more than 6,000 NATO troops deployed to the German training ground in Wildflecken to demonstrate their ability to rapidly deploy in support of any international crisis. The Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps, known as ARRC, staged Arracade Fusion - the ARRC's largest war-fighting exercise since it was established in 1991. ARRC deployed to Bosnia in 1995 to command NATO's land component in the peacekeeping mission. ARRC had a similar role in the Kosovo peacekeeping mission in 1999, known as KFOR. Troops from 11 of the 19 NATO countries participated in the event, including the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, based in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. Three countries also participated in the exercise from their homelands through secure, high-tech computers.

The 10 other countries participating include the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Hungary. The United Kingdom, with a few thousand participants, had the largest contingent.

The scenario involved a disputed strip of land between two countries. The land is rightfully owned by the imaginary country of Berengaria. But the country of Androvia says it owns the land and attempts to occupy it. The ARRC was called in to help Berengaria. The conflict began on the ground and escalated to include an air campaign. ARRC forces entered the disputed territory on 19 October 2001.

About 350 US soldiers, most from the 1st AD, participated in the exercise. The division was currently commanding the Kosovo Force peacekeeping mission and participating in other international training events. But even though the division is a bit spread out, it had't affected its ability to participate in this exercise. Specialists and sergeants were able to complete tasks during this exercise usually handled by captains and majors. Soldiers from the division's 3rd Brigade in Fort Riley were deployed to Wildflecken to participate in the exercise. This was the first time the division had worked with ARRC since right before the Implementation Force went into Bosnia and Herzegovina.