Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen said: “The MCLCC operations will begin now, but development will of course continue in the coming years. Among other things, exercises will test and evaluate the command’s ability to carry out all assigned tasks in all security-related situations.”

The new headquarters is located less than 200 km from the border with Russia.

In September 2024, it was reported that in peacetime, the headquarters will plan and conduct NATO training activities in the region. The so-called Enhanced Forward Presence headquarters will operate around the clock and will be subordinate to the main headquarters in Norfolk on the US East Coast.