Norfolk was the second stop of Senior Course 142’s Field Study 2, focused on the transatlantic link. On 19 April 2023, Course Members visited Allied Command Transformation (ACT) Headquarters and heard several briefings on ACT lines of work and priorities.
Upon arrival, General Chris Badia, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (DSACT), delivered his welcome remarks to the visiting delegation from the NATO Defense College (NDC), led by the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann. General Badia briefly explained the main tasks carried out within the ACT and its areas of focus, looking into the future of warfare.
CDR Philipp Wohlrab, from the Warfare Development Fusion Branch, delivered the first briefing of the day on the NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept, a 20-year vision for the development of the Alliance’s military instrument of power. He further outlined the Warfare Development Agenda, its implementation tools and development imperatives.
Mr JR Couture, Head of CAPDEV Strategy Planning Cell, then gave a presentation on the “NATO Digital Transformation”, its vision, critical elements for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) and strategic deliverables. Next, Brigadier General Thorsen Jorgensen took the floor to talk about the “Impacts of Technology and Digital Transformation on Warfare”. He elaborated on the effects of technology on the changing character of war; the integration of technology in NATO’s military instruments of power; and main challenges.
Colonel Stephan Pillmeier, from the Strategic Plans and Concept Development Branch, addressed Course Members by VTC to talk about the MDO concept, its elements, vision, how it is intended to work and what is needed to achieve a multi-domain enabled Alliance. The brief was followed by a Q&A session.
Afterwards, Course Members were given the opportunity to attend an interactive panel of discussion with Major General Tony L. Wright (DCOS SPP), Rear Admiral Placido Torresi (DCOS JFD), and Brigadier General Thorsten Jorgensen (ACOS REQs), who spoke about the main activities being conducted in their branches and opened the floor for a discussion with Course Members on several topics such as development and implementation, cooperation with academia, industry and civil society, cooperation with the European Union and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The NDC Commandant had an office call with SACT General Philippe Lavigne, which also included the participation of General Chris Badia, Rear Admiral Placido Torresi, and the NDC Head of Academic Plans, Policy and Engagement, Brigadier General René Leitgen.
The final presentation, on JFC Norfolk (JFCNF), was delivered by Rear Admiral Frédéric de Rupilly, Deputy Chief of Staff of JFCNF, and an NDC Ancien himself. He explained the mission, strategic concept, operating environment, and structure of the JFCNF. The brief was followed by a Q&A session, which concluded the Norfolk leg of Field Study 2 for Senior Course 142.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Sofia Carvalheiro, PRT C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN