Senior Course 118 Graduation, and Change of Command Ceremony

Friday 22nd July was a particularly memorable day at the NATO Defense College, with two major events attended by a number of distinguished visitors: the Senior Course 118 Graduation Ceremony, and the Change of Command Ceremony marking the handover of leadership from outgoing Commandant LtGen Wolf-Dieter LOESER (DEU A) to his successor, LtGen Arne Bård DALHAUG (NOR A), in the presence of the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giampaolo DI PAOLA (ITA N).

Among the dignitaries present at the NDC for this important moment in its institutional life were the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, H.E. the Hon. Dr LAMERS; the Italian Chief of Defence, General ABRATE; the Norwegian Chief of Defence, General SUNDE; the Chief of Staff at SHAPE, General LANGE; the Deputy CHOD of Germany, Vice Admiral KUEHN, as well as Ambassadors representing countries in NATO, the Partnership for Peace, the Mediterranean Dialogue and the Istambul Cooperation Initiative.

The morning was dedicated to the Senior Course 118 Graduation Ceremony, the culmination of almost six months’ intensive study for 84 Course Members. Among the 32 different countries represented on SC118 are 19 NATO Member States and 10 Partner Countries (5 Partnership for Peace, 3 Mediterranean Dialogue, 2 Istanbul Cooperation Initiative), as well as Iraq, Japan and South Korea.

Following the opening remarks of NDC Commandant LtGen Wolf-Dieter LOESER, Course Members, Faculty and guests received a stimulating address from the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giampaolo DI PAOLA. This offered all concerned an opportunity to place the unique educational experience afforded by an extended stay at the NDC within the vital context of today’s rapidly evolving security challenges.

Standing before their respective national flags to
receive their diplomas, Course Members were congratulated personally by Admiral DI PAOLA and LtGen LOESER.

The Change of Command Ceremony took place in the late morning. In his farewell remarks to the NDC after almost three and a half years at the helm, and the particularly intense institutional activities for the celebration of the College’s 60th anniversary in May, LtGen LOESER spoke warmly of his time here in Rome as one of the most fulfilling experiences in a long and varied career at both national and Alliance level. Among the international developments which had marked his years in service, the Commandant gratefully highlighted the reunification of his country in 1990.

The prolonged standing ovation for LtGen LOESER’s final remarks expressed more eloquently than any words the warmth and esteem he has inspired in everyone associated with the NDC.

CMC Admiral DI PAOLA then delivered the Change of Command address, expressing appreciation of the outgoing Commandant’s enormous contribution to ensuring that the College would continue to set the highest standards of commitment in its educational, research and outreach activities.

In recognition of how greatly LtGen LOESER’s qualities of leadership had been appreciated throughout NATO, the CMC expressed a pleasure shared by all present in awarding him the NATO Meritorious Service Medal for his role in upholding the finest traditions of the Alliance.

Taking stock of the increasingly complex and difficult challenges that the NDC – indeed, the whole of the Alliance – faces, Admiral DI PAOLA then wished the new Commandant every success in guiding the College into its seventh decade of activity.

Following the Change of Command Ceremony, with the symbolic handing over of the NDC flag, LtGen DALHAUG addressed the College for the first time and spoke briefly of the commitments to honour in the coming months.

With Senior Course 119 scheduled to start in late August, followed in September by NATO Regional Cooperation Course 6 and then by a busy round of other courses and seminars, administrative and logistic preparations are already in full swing and will continue during the short break in the academic calendar. Among the elements of continuity in the life of the College is its densely packed programme of activities, with the brief periods between courses providing much needed time for the behind-the-scenes work which ensures attentive coordination and fine-tuning of efforts.

NDC Public Affairs Office