General André Lanata, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (ACT), welcomed Senior Course 133 to Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk. His introductory remarks highlighted the evolution of the security environment since the end of the Cold War and prospective future security challenges. General Lanata also spoke about ACT’s main areas of responsibility, in supporting ACO and simultaneously leading NATO’s military adaptation.
ACT Chief of Staff (COS) Vice Admiral Paul Bennett then explained the security environment, competition with Russia and China, and NATO’s continuing adaptation in a consensus-driven environment. He explained the missions of the Joint Warfare Centre, Joint Force Training Centre and Joint Analysis Lessons Learned Centre. The cooperation with Old Dominion University, in the form of the NATO ACT Innovation Hub on the ODU campus, was also discussed.
Mr J. Matz of DCOS (ACT’s Capability Development Division) spoke about NATO common-funded capability delivery and related challenges. Average delivery time is more than 10 years, largely because of shared responsibility. The proposed Common-Funded Capability Delivery Governance Model was seen as a future solution for this complex problem.
Mr Eric Pouliquen, Head of the Future Solutions Branch, briefed SC 133 on disruptive technologies and ACT’s approach to their inclusion in war fighting development processes. Artificial Intelligence and machine learning were discussed, as was the role of the NATO Science and Technology Organization.
The briefings were followed by a panel with Vice Admiral Paul Bennett (GBR N), COS ACT; MGEN William Hickman (USA A), DCOS Strategic Plans & Policy; LtGen Jeffrey Lofgren (USA F), Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) for Capability Development; and BGen Tsouganatos (GRC A), Assistant COS Joint Force Development. The discussion was moderated by Navy Captain H. M. Tonning, Faculty Adviser at the NDC.
US Navy Second Fleet Current Ops Director CDR Denison then gave a historical brief on the Fleet’s history and major missions since the Second World War.
HQ Joint Forces Command, Norfolk was presented by Commodore Arne Morten Groenningsaeter (NOR N). He explained JFC Norfolk’s status as a joint operational level, US-led, multinationally supported NATO Command, facilitating closer coordination among Allies and Partners in the Atlantic and the High North.
The visit to Norfolk helped Course Members better understand NATO’s war fighting development and transformation processes, looking at the main challenges and how they are addressed.
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