This year is the 15th anniversary of the establishment of NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre (JWC). To commemorate this milestone, a special Family Day BBQ was held in Jåttå, Stavanger, with over 50 different clubs and organizations joining in the fun and festivities!
More than 300 JWC personnel and their families gathered in Jåttå on Saturday 18 August to celebrate the 15th Anniversary Family Day with a BBQ lunch and a variety of family-friendly activities.
Guests enjoyed an afternoon full of fun, music, arts and crafts, and children’s games alongside over 50 internal and external clubs and organizations like the International Network of Norway, People Who Connect and Stavanger Konserthus, who came out to support the event, providing information stands. Additionally, there was a demonstration by the Stavanger Politistasjon (Southwestern Police District) featuring a specially trained police dog.
Polish Army Major General Andrzej Reudowicz, Commander JWC, spoke at the event and reflected on the JWC’s fascinating history. “The Joint Warfare Centre’s establishment after the Prague Summit had been part of an essential process within NATO that focuses on modernization and transformation of the Alliance. Thus far the JWC has trained almost 68,000 personnel from NATO Command and Force Structure headquarters for full spectrum joint operational warfare. The Centre is NATO’s preeminent training organization at the operational level. And we remain highly respected because of our commitment and accomplishments.”
Major General Reudowicz then thanked the JWC staff and their families. “Thank you for your hard work, commitment and professionalism in making our mission a success. But, I would also like to thank the families for their dedication to support the JWC’s mission; coping with the deployments, relocations and our long hours at work during the exercises. Our success is a result of your dedication and contributions throughout the year.”
Major General Reudowicz also noted that the Family Day provided a welcoming event for the JWC’s newcomers.
“This is our first event after the summer leave period and a great opportunity both to catch up and to greet the new families and introduce them to the JWC,” he said.
On concluding his speech, Major General Reudowicz made the first cut of the multi-layered 15th anniversary cake decorated with the 15th anniversary logo and the Flags of the 29 NATO countries, followed by the second cut of the cake by the staff members, representing different divisions.
Commander Malte Reichel, Head of the JWC’s Community Service Section, said: “This is a great day to relax and socialize and also to show the families a bit of what the JWC does. Especially the Host Nation Support team contributed to the success of the day’s events. This year we adjusted our annual Welcome BBQ and Information Day in conjunction with the JWC’s 15th anniversary and mainly focused on the families. As the Community Service Section and the Host Nation Support team, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all the clubs and organizations for taking their time to join us. And to everybody who participated during the day.”
Photos from the 15th Anniversary Family Day
Major General Andrzej Reudowicz, Commander JWC, addressing the staff, their families and guests
The 15th anniversary cake of the Joint Warfare Centre was made by Ms Tanja Eissfeldt
A general view of the clubs and organizations participating in the event
For more pictures visit JWC's Facebook page at facebook.com/NATO.JWC