Thursday 1 March 2012
The NATO Defense College was honoured to receive a visit from General Wolf Langheld, Commander of Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Brunssum. After an office call with the NDC Dean, Dr. Richard D. Hooker, Jr., the general participated in an informative briefing on the College’s roles, mission and functions. Brigadier General Gerd Bischof (NDC’s Director of Academic Plans and Policy) and other NDC faculty also participated in the discussion.
General Langheld discussed the increasing importance of education to the Alliance, adding that NDC’s role as NATO’s premiere academic institution is as valid today as it was 60 years ago. The general also acknowledged how the College’s contributions to the Alliance have expanded beyond its initial mandate, to include the College’s present range of educational, research and outreach activities.
Following the briefing, General Langheld addressed the course members of Senior Course 120, along with assembled NDC faculty and staff. Sharing his perspectives as Commander JFC Brunssum, the general focused on strategic issues facing the Alliance, ranging from support to the ISAF mission, the future of Afghanistan, and the on-going transformation of the Alliance and JFC Brunssum. General Langheld also engaged course members in a thought-provoking and wide-ranging discussion session.
As the Senior Course 120 is in its first academic week, General Langheld’s valuable insights clearly serve as a timely and esteemed contribution to the strategic objectives of the course. The visit concluded over lunch, as senior NDC leadership and course members continued their discussions with the general, on issues of importance to the Alliance, NATO’s partners, and the NATO Defense College.
