16 June 2005

Military Committee bids farewell to Chairman Kujat, welcomes successor Henault Event 16/06/2005 - NATO Change of command ceremony - biographies, speeches, photos, and audio from the event Background Chairman of the Military Committee - tasks & role Multimedia 16/06/2005 - NATO Interview with with General Ray Henault, the new Chairman of the NATO Military Committee 06/06/2005 - NATO Interview with General Kujat, outgoing Chairman of Nato Military Committee Key links NATO's International Military Staff NATO’s top military body met at the level of Chiefs of Defence at NATO HQ on 16 June to bid farewell to its outgoing chairman, General Harald Kujat, and welcome his successor, General Ray Henault. The Military Committee is NATO’s senior military authority, advising the Alliance’s civilian decision-making bodies on all military issues. The Chairman runs the day-to-day business of the Committee and is its representative and spokesman. Praise for General Kujat General Kujat leaves after completing his three-year term as the Chairman, presiding over a period of far-reaching military transformation at NATO. “You General Kujat have skillfully led NATO’s senior military body in the development and implementation of a new command structure, in the creation of the NATO Response Force, the military integration of seven new member countries,” said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. General Kujat's successor, General Henault, 56, was born in Winnipeg, Canada, and enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1968. He accumulated 4,500 hours on jets, fighters and helicopters as a pilot. He was the Canadian Chief of Defence for four years before being elected as Chairman. "NATO is expanding operations, improving capabilities and enhancing cooperation," said General Henault, "I am proud and honoured to act in this international capacity and very much look forward to working with all nations and with the Secretary General to continue transforming this vital Alliance."