On 04 November 2020, Senior Course 137 of the NATO Defense College (NDC) conducted its virtual visit to SHAPE for the second iteration of its Academic Field Studies (FS).
LGEN Olivier Rittimann, NDC Commandant, opened the session by thanking ADM Joachim Rühle, SHAPE Chief of Staff (COS), for hosting the virtual field study to SHAPE during such a critical time.
ADM Rühle addressed Course Members by strongly encouraging them to interact with SHAPE lecturers and to take advantage of the unique opportunity to learn from different countries organizations, different approaches and backgrounds during their time at the NDC. ADM Rühle wished all CMs a successful and productive Course, and then gave the floor to his staff for individual presentations. The lectures covered, among the others, an overview of the Comprehensive Crisis and Operations Management Centre (CCOMC). CCOMC is a comprehensive collaborative and cross-functional centre where strategic thinking and planning is done. The CMs were also briefed on a wide range of ongoing operations like Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan, NATO Mission in Kosovo (KFOR), NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), NATO Air Policing, NATO support to the African Union and Operation Sea Guardian. Other important topics such as planning and operations in response to COVID-19, NATO–EU interaction in the civil domain, and cooperative security were discussed.
This virtual visit to SHAPE represented a rare opportunity for CMs to gain a deeper understanding of SHAPE‘s role through individual presentations and in-depth discussions on matters related to land, maritime and air operations.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by COL Alessandro Concari, ITA F)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN