On 4 October 2013, LtGen Arne Bård Dalhaug (NOR A), Commandant NATO Defense College (NDC), accompanied members of the 10th NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC 10) led by Col Giuseppe MORABITO (ITA A) on a visit to Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) in Naples.
LtGen J.H.Vance, OMM, CSM, CD (CAN A), Deputy Commander of JFC Naples, warmly welcomed the NDC delegation and highlighted the importance of the visit as part of a wider educational tour.
LtCol Philip Rosso (USA A) gave an exhaustive presentation on the Allied Command Operation’s (ACO) structure and transition, the Command’s lines of operations and future challenges, and the JFC Naples mission. He emphasized the key role of JFC Naples in planning and conducting military operations in order to preserve peace and security, through three types of activity (Current Operations, Crisis Response Readiness, Regional Focus).
A very dynamic Q&A followed this panel: a number of challenging questions were asked, focusing especially on current crises, emerging international threats and NATO decision making. During this discussion, the speakers explained the special role played by JFC Naples in planning and controlling NATO-led operations in a complex environment.
Col Bruno Costantini (FRA), Head of the Military Cooperation Branch at JFC Naples, spoke about Operation Unified Protector (OUP) in Libya, giving a detailed view of the conflict and stressing the purpose of this exceptional NATO operation (to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under attack or threat of attack). Finally, Col Costantini identified some key lessons learned from OUP.
A second stimulating Q&A followed this panel and brought this important NRCC activity to a close.
This second visit of an NRCC delegation to JFC Naples was a great success, enabling participants to gain firsthand knowledge of JFC activities.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Monica Fornari, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN