Following the very successful sessions at NATO Headquarters and the European Union, on 31st October Senior Course 121 (SC 121) moved to the neighbourhood of Mons for a visit to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
The group was warmly welcomed by Brigadier General Ivan Beneta (HRV A), Director of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) and Acting Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Intelligence (OPI). His introduction to the morning’s schedule emphasized the importance of this visit for SHAPE, with a view to three fundamental considerations: the need for NATO to operate in an increasingly complex world, the operationalization of the Comprehensive Approach, and the role of Training Networks. These introductory remarks were followed by three briefings, with a concluding panel discussion and overall Q&A.
In the first briefing, an update on current NATO Operations was given by Colonel Patrick Andrews (GBR A), Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Crisis Operations Management Centre (CCOMC). The speaker extensively illustrated the position of Allied Command Operation (ACO) within the new NATO command structure. Afghanistan was discussed in detail, the progressive transfer of responsibilities to the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) being described as “moving from partnering to advice”.
The next briefing was presented by Commander Shayne Hussain (GBR RN), from the Operations & Intelligence Division, who is deeply involved in the subject he spoke of: the implementation of NATO’s new command structure, and its impact on the conduct of Alliance operations. Placing the new command structure in context as the logical consequence of the choices set out at the Lisbon Summit and in the subsequent Strategic Concept, the speaker explained that the format thus developed has been accepted by nations. What remains to be completed in the coming months is the new staff list. As soon as the new structure is activated, in December 2012 the old Headquarters will be immediately deactivated. Greater dependence on the NATO Force Structure and a requirement for nations to man the new structure accordingly were observed as two important challenges in this setting. That said, the most critical aspect for SHAPE to manage will be the handover of real-time operations from the old command structure to the new one.
Lieutenant Colonel Oscar Smith (NLD Royal Marines) then gave the third and final briefing of the day, entitled “Bolstering NRF and enhancing SOF”. In addressing the fundamental question of how the example set by the Special Operations Force (SOF) could strengthen the concept of the NATO Response Force (NRF), the speaker broke the topic down into three main parts. The first was an explanation of the NRF’s structure and tasks. Against this background, he then explained the unique position, responsibilities and composition of Special Forces, developing the concept that they are needed and used only for specific tasks, under specific conditions and in a specific political climate. Finally, the speaker commented on the composition, role and available means of the NATO Special Operations HQ. Particular attention was paid to the possibility that the SOF could further support the Connected Forces Initiative, through combined training and reinforcement of the liaison officers’ network.
During the Q&A session, the three speakers were joined by Chief of Staff General Lange (DEU AF), together with Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Sándor Fucsku (HUN A), and by Mr Andrew Brentnall (GBR), Special Advisor to SACEUR. The Chief of Staff chaired an open and lively discussion, which was greatly appreciated by all participants.
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