From 19 to 23 March, the nineteenth NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC-19) and the staff of the NDC’s Middle East Faculty (MEF) completed a Field Study to Mons, Brussels, and Lisbon.
Over the course of the week, Course Members received briefings on the different aspects of NATO missions and the agenda for the South. These briefings encompassed outreach activities with Partners in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), crisis management and military planning.
During the morning of the first day, NRCC-19 Course Members had the chance to visit the Strategic Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. There, they were briefed by Major General Odd Egil Pedersen (NOR A) – Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Partnership, and his staff. These briefings focused on the main objectives, achievements, and challenges of NATO Military Partnerships. The afternoon was dedicated to the visit of the European Commission. While there, Dr Bart Szewczyk – European Political Strategy Centre, introduced CourseMembers to European Defence and Security policies. He also briefed them on the current challenges and developments in this domain.
The next day, NRCC-19 paid a visit to the EU Military Staff. Following a welcome address by Major General Manione (ITA A) – Deputy Dir. Gen. EUMS, Course Members received briefings on the role of the military within the EU, as well as an extensive overview on current EU military missions and operations.
Flying to Lisbon for the second leg of the Field Study, NRCC-19 visited the Instituto da Defensa Nacional (National Defence Institute), as well as the Portuguese Military University Institute. Thursday included briefings on the Portuguese National Defence Strategy and Foreign Affairs Policy, as well as a presentation on the Portuguese Armed Forces and military institutions. On Friday, Course Members were received at the Reduto Gomes Freire Portuguese Base, the HQ of STRIKEFORNATO, by Rear Admiral Guy Robinson (GBR N), Deputy Commander, and Brig. Gen. Karsten “Hazel” Heckl, Chief of Staff (USA M), who presented the specific missions of STRIKEFORNATO, as well as explaining its particular place within the Alliance. The visit ended with a briefing on the Joint Operations Centre in STRIKEFORNATO.
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