German-Netherlands Corps takes over NATO command of Estonian, Latvian land forces

RIGA, June 30 — The 1st German-Netherlands Corps took over tactical command of the Estonian and Latvian land forces from NATO’s Multinational Corps Northeast on Tuesday, in a ceremony in the town of Valga-Valka.

The new command arrangement, which will take effect on Wednesday, is part of NATO’s new force model. According to the Latvian Defense Ministry, the new move aims to improve the reaction speed of allied forces and increase the combat readiness of the alliance’s eastern flank.