13 Apr 2005

Green light for new NATO training centres News 12/04/05 - IMS NATO’s Allied Command Transformation holds official signing ceremonies for new Centre of Excellence and Joint Forces Training Centre 14/04/05 - NATO NATO’s transformation in focus Background The NATO Response Force Multimedia 13/04/05 - NATO High resolution photos of the signing of an MOA between Supreme Allied Command Transformation (SACT) and Poland 13/04/05 - NATO High resolution photos of the signing of an MOU between Belgium, The Netherlands and the Supreme Allied Command Transformation Links Allied Command Transformation website Two agreements signed at NATO’s Headquarters in Brussels on 13 April pave the way for the establishment of new NATO training centres in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and Oostende, Belgium. The first agreement, signed by NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Admiral Edmund Giambastiani, and Polish Deputy Defence Minister of Defence Janusz Zemke, establishes the legal framework for a NATO Joint Forces Training Centre in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The Centre is due to be fully operational on 30 June 2006 and will have a unique role in conducting joint and combined training at the tactical level. In particular, it will aim to promote tactical interoperability between the forces of NATO member countries in areas essential to modern military operations, including the NATO Response Force. Teaching advanced skills The second agreement establishes a formal relationship between NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and the Belgium-Netherlands Naval Mine Warfare School (EGUERMIN) in Oostende, Belgium. The School, staffed by about 50 multinational military and civilian personnel, will now assume the lead for NATO’s naval mine warfare education and training. Specifically, it will train individuals and ship crews in naval mine warfare and advise NATO countries and commands on the subject. The agreement was signed by Admiral Giambastiani, Belgian Army Lieutenant General Hendrik Jennart and Royal Netherlands Air Force Lieutenant General Jo Goddery.