2008

French Chief of Defence, GEneral Georgelin visit to JFC HQ Brunssum

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

French Chief of Defence, General Georgelin receiving a warm welcome from COM JFCBS, General Ramms.

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Martin Mruz

On 3rd of October 2008 General Egon Ramms, Commander JFC HQ Brunssum (COM JFC HQ BS), officially welcomed the French Chief of Defence (CHOD), who was accompanied by his staff.

With the presence of Air Marshal Moran (UK Air Force), Deputy COM JFC BS and Lieutenant General Bovy (BEL Army), Chief Of Staff of JFC BS HQ, the guest was briefed on International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) related issues and JFC Brunssum assessment on progress in Afghanistan.

Another briefing portion was focused on the French contribution to ISAF. The French CHOD was particularly interested in the relationship between the role played by our headquarters and the French troops in (ISAF) theatre. French troops are mainly deployed in Regional Command Capital as well as at Kabul International Airport and Kandahar (Air Force).

The French CHOD also met the French Military Mission personnel in JFC Brunssum HQ.

It is worth noting that this is the first visit paid by a French Chief of Defense since 20 years. General Jean-Louis Georgelin was keen to emphasise he hopes that this will be the first of many visits, building on the strong working relationship between himself and General Egon Ramms.

SHAPE: NATO Launces Exercise Cooperative Longbox / Cooperative LAncer in Armenia

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office, SHAPE

On Friday 26 Sep the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will launch exercise Cooperative Longbow/ Cooperative Lancer 08. The exercise is being staged in Armenia until 20 October under the framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI).

Involving approximately 900 troops from NATO, PfP, and ICI nations, the exercise will provide an opportunity for the participants to learn how to work together within the framework of a NATO-led operation.

The exercise scenario is based on a United Nations (UN) mandated NATO-led Crisis Response Operation involving the evacuation of non-combatant civilians, counter-terrorist activities and stabilization operations.

Lieutenant General Roland Kather, Commander Allied Land Component Command Heidelberg, said today "Exercise Cooperative Longbow/Lancer 2008 will provide the opportunity to improve interoperability between NATO and partner forces inside a Crisis Response Scenario. The exercise will include a command post exercise employing a multinational brigade headquarters and a field exercise involving a multinational battalion. Over the past year the Government and Armed Forces of Armenia have done a superb job in preparing to serve as this year's host, and we look forward to a great exercise."

The annual Partnership for Peace exercises, which regularly occur regularly in the autumn, are a proven instrument for NATO to involve interested nations in a well tailored training event aimed at harmonizing common procedures. Armenia was chosen to host the exercise in 2007.

Notes to Editors

A NATO Exercise Media Information Centre will be established in Yerevan, Armenia, from 26 September to 20 October 2008.

Requests for information prior to the establishment of the NATO Exercise Media Information Centre should be made to Lieutenant Colonel Hans-Joachim Gemballa at Allied Land Component Command Headquarters Heidelberg, Germany (Tel +49-6221-3985216 email hans.gemballa@lahd.nato.int).

Updated information is also available on the internet web site: (www.nato.int/lahd).

Journalists applying for COLW/ COLR 08 press cards are required to have the following items:

Valid passport or ID card
Two passports size photographs
A valid press ID card
Letter of introduction from their media organization.

For more on the PfP and ICI initiatives go to
http://www.nato.int/issues/pfp/index.html or http://www.nato.int/ici/home.htm

Belgian Minister of Defence, Pieter de Crem visit to JFC HQ Brunssum

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Martin Mruz

Belgian Minister of Defence Pieter de Crem visited NATO Joint Force Command Headquarters Brunssum, JFC HQ Brunssum, on 23rd of September 2008.

General Egon Ramms, Commander JFC Brunssum, officially welcomed the Minister, who was accompanied by two of his cabinet members: Mr. Vincent Martens de Wilmars, Ambassador, Director Diplomatic Training and Rear Admiral Marc Ectors, Director Operations and Training.

COM JFCBS Geb. Egon Ramms and Belgian Minister of Defence Pieter de Crem
honouring the flag parade.

The briefing session focussed on the ISAF operations, JFC Brunssum assessment on progress in Afghanistan and how the Combined Joint Operations Centre (CJOC) provides the situational awareness for our HQs.

The Minister was particularly interested in the relationship between the role played by our headquarters and the Belgian troops in ISAF theatre, primarily the mission in PRT Kunduz, on Kabul International Airport (KAIA) and on Kandahar Airfield (KAF). A second briefing portion was focussed on the Belgian contribution to ISAF and its future potential commitments.

Numerous questions and an animated debate provided the Belgian MOD a comprehensive insight on the daily JFC Brunssum businesses and responsibilities in making ISAF a successful mission.

Director for MRA Institute visited JFC HQ Brunssum

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office

Joint Forces Command Headquarters Brunssum had the pleasure of receiving a presentation on 15 September by Mrs. Riffat Manasia Oberhaus, Director and Principal Researcher for Manasia Research and Analysis (MRA) Institute, Afghanistan.

MRA Institute has been conducting research and surveys on Afghan perceptions and media habits for nearly four years, in support of customers such as Combined Forced Command - Afghanistan, Regional Command East and Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan. Their latest survey was the Afghan Media and Information Survey, mainly focused on Afghan media habits and decision processes, but also their views on security and the current situation.

Drawing on the results of this survey, numerous focus group discussions, and past survey data, Mrs. Manasia Oberhaus was able to give staff from JFC Brunssum as well as some visitors from SHAPE a window into how Afghans see the current situation, the ISAF mission, and involvement by the international community. Having as broad and rich a view as possible helps planners at JFCB understand the nuanced and complex environment that is Afghanistan, as well as refine current plans and efforts to help make the ISAF mission successful.

Working Visit Dutch Minister of Defence van Middelkoop

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dutch Minister of Defence Mr. van Middelkoop signing the guestbook.

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

Dutch Minister of Defence Eimert van Middelkoop paid a short working visit to NATO Joint Force Command Headquarters Brunssum on 9th of September 2008.

General Ramms, Commander JFC Brunssum, welcomed the Minister, accompanied by the Dutch Chief of Defence General Peter van Uhm.

The Dutch delegation was informed about the operational work of this NATO Headquarters in the Netherlands.

The Minister was particularly interested in the relationship between the role of this headquarters and the Dutch military contribution to ISAF, the mission in Uruzgan. Since JFC HQ Brunssum is not only responsible for the Operations Plan in Afghanistan but also for large infrastructure projects and international coordination within the so-called Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) it resulted in an interesting change of information.

JFC Brunssum main priority is to create the long term planning for the ISAF mission and to provide support to ISAF. In addition the headquarters is responsible for a number of tasks such as the NATO Response Force, Military Cooperation with Partner Nations (Partnership for Peace Programme) and commands three NATO Component Commands in Ramstein (Air), Northwood (Maritime) and Heidelberg (Land).

The visit to JFC HQ Brunssum had to be shortened because of the death of Dutch Soldier 1st class ten Brinke in Uruzgan resulting in the cancellation of a meeting with representatives of the Netherlands Delegation and Support Unit.

COM JFCBS Gen. Egon Ramms, Dutch Chief of Defence Gen. Peter van Uhm
and Dutch Minister of Defence Eimert van Middelkoop honouring the flag parade.

Croatian Members of Parliament visited JFC HQ Brunssum on 4th of September 2008

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lt. Gen. Bovy, COS, giving a welcome speech to Croatian members of Parliament.

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

Croatian Members of Parliament visited Joint Force Command Headquarters Brunssum on Thursday 4 September as part of a wider NATO tour bringing them also to NATO Headquarters Brussels and Allied Command Transformation Headquarters in Norfolk.

The briefing programme and discussions with representatives of JFC HQ Brunssum were geared to familiarise the Parliamentarians with NATO, JFC HQ Brunssum, its history, organisation and its prime mission the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. A manifold of topics were presented and discussed ranging from NATO's and ISAF's Command Structure, the role of this headquarters versus the ISAF Operation, the reconstruction and development programme in Afghanistan, the legal mandates of the ISAF operation, the Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLTs), the NATO and JFC HQ Brunssum Peace Time Establishment Review and NATO's principles. All-important issues since Croatia is at the doorstep of becoming a member of NATO. Croatia is already represented as a member of the Military Cooperation and Partnership for Peace Programme of JFC Headquarters in Brunssum.

Following a welcome by the Chief of Staff Lt General Jean-Pierre Bovy, Belgian Army, the MPs met with representatives of the international staff. After the presentations a discussion took place with Dutch Army General Hans Mulder, Head of the Plans and Policy Division. The multinationality is one of the aspects of this headquarters that one needs to experience to understand the workings of NATO. Therefore meeting and interacting with officers from Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, was an important part of their visit.

The programme was organised with the support of the US Embassy in Zagreb and NATO Headquarters Public Diplomacy Division.

A group photo of Croatian Members of Parliament in front of the JFC HQ Brunssum.

Afghanistan's Senior Representative, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Zia Nezam visited JFC HQ Brunssum on 14th of August 2008

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

H.E Mr. Nezam signing the guestbook.

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

General Egon Ramms, JFC Brunssum Commander, hosted the Afghanistan's Senior Representative, H.E Ambassador Dr. Zia Nezam, in Brunssum on 14th of August.

The Ambassador is responsible for Afghanistan's relations with NATO and the EU, and is also accredited to the Kingdom of Belgium, The Netherlands and Greece. Mr. Mohammad Hanif Ahmadzai, who also participated in the JFC Brunssum PRT Conference in Maastricht in May, accompanied him. Acting Chief of Staff, Maj General Vaccino, and Political Advisor, Jack Segal, also participated in the discussion.

The Ambassador began by expressing his condolences for the loss of life of ISAF and Coalition soldiers in his country. He also said the Afghan government highly values the efforts of JFC Brunssum to improve the situation in Afghanistan. He recalled the period prior to the Soviet invasion, the Civil War and the Taliban regime when Afghanistan had been a pleasant place to live with good economic prospects.

General Ramms reviewed the security situation in the country and outlined measures taken to strengthen the Afghan National Army and Police together with steps taken to ensure that civilian casualties are avoided. He outlined how JFC Brunssum has developed an action plan to assist the Afghan government in pursuing the Afghan National Development Strategy and he reviewed the work done to strengthen support for Afghan-led solutions to the country's problems. He stressed that in reconstruction and development, as in the area of security, JFC Brunssum's focus is on delivering tangible benefits to the Afghan people, and on empowering the population to determine its own future. He urged faster action to implement the good ideas that have already been agreed, citing the importance of delivering hope and progress to the Afghan people. General Ramms offered this Headquarters' assistance in support of the UN's efforts to improve governance in Afghanistan.

The Ambassador and General Ramms reviewed key upcoming events including the voter registration process and the Afghan elections next year, with both agreeing on the importance of close coordination and timely action to ensure the success of these events.

Gen. Ramms and H.E Mr. Nezam honouring the flag parade.

German Member of Parliament, Mrs Elke Hoff visited JFC HQ Brunssum

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

4 August 2008 Mrs. Elke Hoff, Member of the German Parliament and the Defence Committee, visited JFC HQ Brunssum. She met with General Egon Ramms, COM JFC Brunssum, and was briefed on the role of this headquarters and the ISAF Mission in particular. Mrs. Hoff who is also a member of the German Defence Committee had the opportunity to extensively discuss headquarters and mission related issues with Subject Matter Experts from the JFC Staff.

NATO Assistant Secretary General Defence Policy and Planning, H.E. Ambassador Jiri Sedivy visit to JFC Brunssum

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

On 31th July 2008 NATO ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL DEFENCE POLICY AND PLANNING, AMBASSADOR J. SEDIVY visited Joint Force Command Brunssum for an office call with the Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum General E. Ramms and also to be briefed on the role of the headquarters and its main mission ISAF. At his departure HE Ambassador Sedivy had an opportunity to also shortly meet with the Czech delegation at the Headquarters.

Representatives from Baltic Countries visit JFC Brunssum

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

On 30th July 2008 the Permanent Representative of Latvia, H.E. Mr. J. Eichmanis visited Joint Force Command Brunssum for an office call with the Commander General E. Ramms and also for a few briefings on ISAF and the role of the headquarter on the ISAF mission.

H.E. Mr. J. Eichmanis was accompanied by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Estonia and Lithuania, Minister Counsellor Gediminas Varvoulis (LTU) and 1st Secretary EST Delegation to NATO, Mr. Vahur Soosaar.

From left to right: Deputy Permanent Representative of Estonia and Lithuania, Minister Counsellor
Gediminas Varvoulis (LTU) and 1st Secretary EST Delegation to NATO, Mr. Vahur Soosaar, COM
JFCBS Gen. Egon Ramms and Permanent Representative of Latvia, H.E. Mr. J. Eichmanis

H.E. Dominik M. Alder, Swiss Ambassador to the Netherlands visits JFC HQ Brunssum

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Peter Szigeti

The Ambassador was accompanied by the Dep. Chief of Mission (Minister) Mr. Robert K. Steiner and Mr. Beat Schmid (Consul). The visitors received briefings on the history, the headquarters mission and organization, its economic impact in the local area, and its main mission the ISAF Operation in Afghanistan. Deputy Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum, Air Marshal C. Moran, officially welcomed the visitors.

Deputy Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum, Air MArshal C. Moran
welcomes H.E. Dominik M. Alder

Representative of the U.S. Secretary of Defence for Europe visits JFC HQ Brunssum

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Peter Szigeti

The Representative of the United Staes Secretary of Defence for Europe, Mr Bruce Weinrod visited JFC HQ Brunssum on 9 June 2008 for an office call with Commander JFC Brunssum General Egon Ramms and some briefings.

COM JFC BRunssum, General Egon Ramms welcomes Mr. Bruce Weinrod (left).

German Miltary Bishop visits JFC HQ Brunssum

Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

On the 29 May the German Military Bishop H.E. Walter Mixa visited the JFC HQ Brunssum. After an office call with the Commander General Egon Ramms, both took part in the church service at the Chapel Centre. During the German Flag Lunch the bishop had the opportunity to talk to some members of the international community here in Brunssum.

German Military Bishop H.E. Walter Mixa signing the guestbook.

JFC Brunssum Commanders' Annual Media Meeting

Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On 10th of June 2008 an annual international media meeting will take place in Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Conference Centre in Brunssum, the Netherlands. General Egon Ramms, Commander JFCBS, will meet and brief media representatives.

The two main topics are:
- International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan: current situation, reconstruction and development process,
- JFCBS: structure, mission and tasks (ISAF and NRF).

The journalists will have an opportunity to discuss these issues with JFCBS flag officers. JFC HQ Brunssum is one of three operational NATO Headquarters in Europe. At this moment its number one responsibility is mid and long term operational planning for the ISAF mission.

Note for the editor

For more details please contact PAO Media Relations Section tel. +31 45 526 3891 or +31 34 526 2409.

Allied Joint Force Command Headquarters Brunssum
Public Affairs Office
Rimburgerweg 30
6444 PA BRUNSSUM
The Netherlands

Tel.: +31 45 526 2409
Fax: +31 45 526 3095
Email: pio@jfcbs.nato.int
Internet: www.jfcbs.nato.int

Christian Democrat Alliance (CDA) visit JFC HQ Brunssum

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

23 members of the Christian Democrat Alliance (CDA) faction from the Limburg Provincial Parliament and Government (Provinciale Staten and Gedeputeerde Staten), led by the faction chairman drs. Geert Frische (second from the right on the photo), took an interest in JFC HQ Brunssum.

The CDA members had a working programme scheduled for one day, visiting the NATO AWACS Airbase in Geilenkirchen and NATO military operational planning headquarters in Brunssum.

As the Limburg Provincial politicians indicated these two major NATO institutions have an enormous impact on Limburg. It was therefore good to have a closer look at these institutions and experience what the mission, role and regional impact is of JFC Headquarters Brunssum, as well as NATO AWACS Geilenkirchen.

Christian Democrat Alliance (CDA) members in front of JFC HQ Brunssum.

Turkish Parliamentarians visited JFC HQ Brunssum

Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Peter Szigeti

Eight members of the Turkish Parliament paid a visit to Joint Force Command Headquarters Brunssum on Wednesday, 21 May.

Initiated and accompanied by the US Mission to NATO, Brussels, the parliamentarians spent three days in the "European capital" and visited EU- and NATO-institutions such as the EU Parliament, NATO Headquarters as well as this Joint Force Command in Brunssum.

The group received a briefing of the headquarters' history, mission and organization, presented by the J3-Operations Dvision.

The main focus was clearly on the ISAF mission. Deputy Chief of Staff for Support Major General Vaccino joined the programme and had intense discussions with the parliamentarians.

Turkish Parliamentarians in front of JFC HQ Brunssum.

H.E. Mrs Veronika Wand-Danielsson, Head of the Mission of Sweden to NATO, visited JFC HQ Brunssum

Sat, 17 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

On the 20 May 08, H.E. Mrs Veronika Wand-Danielsson, Head of the Mission of Sweden to NATO, visited JFC HQ Brunssum. H.E. Mrs Veronika Wand-Danielsson met with the Commander JFC HQ Brunssum; General Egon Ramms for an office call and later received briefings about the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

H.E. Mrs. Veronika Wand-DAnielsson, Head of the Mission of Sweden to NATO and
General Egon Ramms, Commander JFC HQ Brunssum.

Provincial Recontrsuction Teams Conference in Maastricht

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Public Affairs Office
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

At a news conference in Maastricht HE Mr Popal, Minister of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance and General Ramms, Commander NATO Joint Force Command Headquarter Brunssum shared their views on the conference.

"I'm very happy with the improvement in communication, coordination and collaboration between the Afghan Provincial government and NATO", Mr Popal stated. "We have improved local administration and therefore we can take the lead in development activities", he added.

In his statement General Ramms referred to the importance of PRTs being regarded as the backbone of the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan. The goal of the conference was to draw on the experience gained by the PRT's and to identify practical steps to accelerate progress toward the goals of bringing peace, stability and progress to the people of Afghanistan.

"We set a goal for the conference to define how we might achieve greater transparency, coherence and coordination between civil and military actors at the PRT's without infringing on the independence of the civilian elements", said General Ramms.

H.E. Mr Popal, Minister of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance and General
Ramms, Commander NATO Joint Force Command Headquarter Brunssum at the news conference, 15 May 2008

The World Bank representative spoke about significant progress in the areas of improving the infrastructure, increasing access of basic health care and education and great progress in the establishment of a responsive and effective national government.

"The process of unbalanced reconstruction and development in the different provinces, will be balanced in a better way in the future," Ramms stated. He was hopeful a donor's conference in Paris next month would provide sufficient funding to ensure aid can be more evenly spread around the regions.

The Conference, which started on Wednesday 14 May, had 120 participants from 50 Nations/Organisations and key note speakers such as Mr Howard, Assistant Secretary General Operations from NATO, Lieutenant General Riley, DCOM ISAF, Mr Alexander, Deputy Director United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan , and Mr Karimi, Deputy Director Independent Directorate Local Governance, Mrs Stapleton, Political Advisor to EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mrs Butenko, Deputy Director Afghanistan for the World Bank and Ms McDonald, Norwegian Refugee Council.

The Conference was organised by NATO Joint Force Command Headquarter Brunssum. As Operational Headquarter JFC BS oversees the conduct of the ISAF mission over the longer-term from 12 months into the future while the ISAF HQ in Kabul focuses on the current operations.

Rotarians visited JFC HQ Brunssum

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

By Capt. Th. Cherdron
Photo by Sgt Christian von Bentheim

A group of 40 Rotarians from the tri-border area - acting as multipliers in their home countries - paid a visit to JFC HQ Brunssum on Wednesday, 23 April 2008.

Under the lead of Rotary Club Heinsberg and its head Col. (ret.) Vorbach, German, Dutch and Belgian Rotarians met in the afternoon at the JFC Conference Center. First of all the group received a short introduction about JFC HQ Brunssum, its history and the NATO Command Structure. COM JFC Gen. Egon Ramms then continued by picturing the recent situation in ISAF. Since this is considered a once in a lifetime opportunity, the Rotarians asked many questions and Gen. Ramms was happy to answer them all.

The Rotarians left late in the evening also due to the great support of the JFC Conference Center team. They left with an increased knowledge and impressions of the soldier's job in Afghanistan which they would never get elsewhere.

General Ramms answering Rotarians' questions.

Media Advisory: Annual Conference On Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

NATO Joint Force Command (JFC) Headquarters Brunssum organises the annual Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) Conference in Maastricht on 14 and 15 May 2008. Coordination and closer cooperation between ISAF PRT's and International Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations in Afghanistan will be the main issues discussed during the PRT conference.

Commander JFC Headquarters Brunssum, General Egon Ramms, has invited representatives of twenty six NATO and non NATO countries as well as representatives from the Afghan Government and key players from the International Community to participate in this PRT Conference.

Both military and civilian officials will meet to discuss Afghanistan reconstruction and development subjects. Ministerial level representatives from the Government of Afghanistan, UNAMA, International Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations during the conference will discuss ways to achieve better coordination, synchronization, and enabling support to further increase the effectiveness of the Afghan Government.

Joint Force Command Public Affairs Office invites the representatives from the Media to take part in a News Conference scheduled at 16.30 hrs on 15 May in Maastricht.

JFC HQ Brunssum is one of three operational NATO Headquarters in Europe. At this moment its number one responsibility is mid and long term operational planning for the ISAF mission.

Note for the editor

For registration please send Public Affairs Office Media Registration Form to JFC HQ Brunssum, (Form can be found on the right column) not later than 13 May 16.00 hrs.

Allied Joint Force Command Headquarters Brunssum
Public Affairs Office
Rimburgerweg 30
6444 PA BRUNSSUM
The Netherlands

Tel.: +31 45 526 2409
Fax: +31 45 526 3095
Email: pio@jfcbs.nato.int
Internet: www.jfcbs.nato.int