25 October 2002<br /><br />HEADQUARTERS MULTINATIONAL DIVISION CENTRAL (AIRMOBILE) CLOSURE CEREMONY <br /><br />The Multinational Division Central's headquarters in Rheindahlen Germany was closed in an official ceremony on 25 October 2002 Multinational Division Central ceased to have a liability for operations from 20 July 2002 and concluded its final exercise in September 2002. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the formation and was attended by invited guests including former commanders. Lieutenant General Sir Christopher Drewry KCB CBE, Commander Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps, presided over the ceremony. <br /><br />Although Multinational Division Central became fully operational in 1994, the concept of an airmobile division as a reserve formation for the Northern Army Group had its origins in the latter years of the Cold War. By incorporating brigade-sized airmobile forces from four nations, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the Multinational Division Central was the first truly multinational division and, in this respect, it was unique. Although the divisional headquarters did not have the opportunity to deploy on operations, its brigades have done so successfully, two of them earlier this year in Afghanistan. The Division's main achievements have been its contribution to the development of Air Manoeuvre as an emerging form of warfare, the training of its brigades for operations, and the partnerships and interoperability it has promoted. In addition, the individuals who have served in the Division, and especially those who worked in its Headquarters, have gained valuable experience in combined and joint operations. <br /><br />Following consultation between the four participating nations and in agreement with Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), it was decided there were higher priorities in manning the new High Readiness Force (Land) Headquarters of the Alliance and that Headquarters Multinational Division Central should close by the end of 2002. Every effort has been made to ensure that the Headquarters' personnel are assigned to new and appropriate postings and indeed many have already been reassigned. The brigades and units assigned to the Division will not be affected and they will have alternative roles. United Kingdom's 16 Air Assault Brigade will remain assigned to Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps and the Netherlands' 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade has been assigned to the 1st German/Netherlands Corps. The 31 German Luftlande Brigade remains under national command. Belgium is currently considering the options for their Parachute Commando Brigade but it is already planned for it to train with High Readiness Force (Land) formations. <br /><br />JHQ Rheindahlen will continue to be the base for Headquarters Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps and the United Kingdom Support Command (Germany).