Following a successful visit to the United States, the next leg of the Spring Field Study took Senior Course 114 to Brussels, Belgium for strategic-level briefs from Belgium’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense, the European Union, the Alliance’s operational headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), in Mons, and finally NATO HQs.
On Wednesday 6 May, LtGen Hendrik JENHART, Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Affairs, welcomed SC 114 for the morning session of briefings on Belgian Foreign Policy, Defense Policy and Defense Transformation. These extremely informative briefings offered insights into Belgium’s strategic security priorities and were followed by a robust, frank and thought provoking panel discussion that provided further details of Belgium’s strategic security policy and challenges.
In the afternoon, SC 114 visited the Council of the European Union, where Captain DI TERLIZZI, Chief, NATO Permanent Liaison Team to the EU Military Staff (EUMS), welcomed course members for an afternoon of briefings and discussions with experts from the EU on a variety of subjects.
Mr. Ken HUME of the Directorate of External and Politico-Military Affairs (DGE VIII) gave a concise overview of defense issues and European Security and Defense Policy. He addressed the EU’s relationship with NATO, noting the strengths of the partnership and the EU’s rapid response capabilities during crisis management. Next, Mr. Kim FREIDBERG, Head of Europe Section, Operations Unit, Civilian Planning and Conduct and Civilian Crisis Management Operations, explained the approach and the realities of Civil/Military cooperation in crisis management. Mr. FRIEDBER outlined civil planning and capabilities as well as civilian crisis management operations and current challenges. A brief Question and Answer session followed each presentation.
Rear Admiral Fernando LISTA, Deputy Director General of the EU Military Staff, wrapped up the day’s briefings by describing the structure and functions of the EUMS. The Admiral gave an overview of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and addressed the EU’s rapid response capabilities. He emphasized the complementary roles played by NATO and the EU in maintaining stability and security, as well as the political-military challenges faced by the partnership in coordinating efficient operations.
The quality of the different presentations and the experiences of the lecturers gave SC 114 an insight into the complex relationship between EU political, military and diplomacy issues, defense planning, crisis management, and civil-military operations.
On 7 May SC 114 visited SHAPE. In his “Operational Update” briefing, Col. Patrick ANDREWS, Director Strategic Direction Center, provided an extensive overview of all ongoing operations commanded by SHAPE. He focused on the Allied operation in Afghanistan – the ISAF mission, but he also noted the presence of NATO in other operations. Next, Commander Andrew ROGERS, Military Cooperation Division, briefed on the status of the Partnership for Peace, the Mediterranean Dialogue, the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, and the relationship with Contact Countries.
After these briefings, SC 114 engaged in a challenging Question and Answer session with the SHAPE senior leaders. BGen Rossmanith, Chairman Deployable Forces Coordination Group, chaired a panel consisting of Mr. SULZER, SACEUR Special Advisor on International Affairs, Col ANDREWS, and Commander ROGERS. The in-depth questions and answers enhanced SC 114’s knowledge and understanding of the complex issues and security challenges facing NATO military operations.
SC 114 concluded the afternoon at SHAPE with a tour of the NATO Special Operations Coordination Center (NSCC). Colonels BRADIN and BUESCHEL coordinated guided tours through the functional areas of the world class NSCC. SC 114 now has a better understanding of the NATO SOF Transformation Initiative and its impact on coordinating strategic SOF solutions in order to enhance the cohesion and interoperability of NATO SOF.
On 8 May 2009, SC 114 received a series of high level expert briefings on strategic level security policy issues during a visit to the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The highlights of the day included a briefing by Ambassador Claudio BISOGNIERO (ITA), NATO’s Deputy Secretary General.
After the Senior Course had been welcomed to the Headquarters by Admiral Giampaolo DI PAOLA, Chairman of the Military Committee, the day of briefings began with a presentation on NATO’s transformation, future capabilities and defense planning by Major General P. TERZANO, also from the IMS. Mr. Robert SIMMONS, from the Security Cooperation and Partnership Division, provided a detailed and perceptive analysis of the current status of security cooperation with Russia, and the prospects for the future of this partnership. This session generated an important exchange of ideas on emerging Alliance challenges and relationships.
The day concluded with a frank and open in-depth discussion with Mr. Hans-Christian von REIBNITZ, Deputy Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General. In a wide ranging Question and Answer session that challenged course members to think beyond traditional norms, Mr. REIBNITZ addressed the major challenges of NATO’s ongoing operations, transformation and partnerships. The next visit by SC 114 is to Paris, France, for a better understanding of French Foreign Policy and ongoing military operations.
Prepared by Colonel HOCKADAY (USA AF)
NATO Defense College