NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) welcomed a new Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, United States Navy Rear Admiral James A. “Jim” Kirk, during an all-hands call held at the Centre’s Harald Haarfagre Auditorium on Thursday, 24 May 2018.
Rear Admiral Kirk arrived to the Joint Warfare Centre from Surface Warfare Directorate (N96), aligned under the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems (OPNAV N9), where he served as Deputy for Weapons and Sensors.
Rear Admiral Kirk’s prior assignments include a variety of afloat and ashore billets as a Surface Warfare Officer on destroyers, cruisers, frigates and staffs. He commanded both USS De Wert (FFG 45) and USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) and served ashore as Executive Assistant to the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs; Action Officer on the Joint Staff J8 and Executive Assistant to the Director of Surface Warfare (OPNAV N96).
This new assignment at the Joint Warfare Centre will be Rear Admiral Kirk’s first time serving in NATO. "Welcome to the Joint Warfare Centre and welcome to our beautiful city of Stavanger,” said Polish Army Major General Andrzej Reudowicz, Commander JWC. “I am extremely glad you are here and look forward to getting to know you and working with you in accomplishing JWC’s crucial mission of preparing NATO forces for operational challenges and ensuring their joint warfighting readiness.”
Rear Admiral Kirk then shared with the staff his experiences along with his views on the importance and value of operational-level planning and execution against modern-day threats and challenges. “There is nothing more important than providing superior training for our warfighters,” Rear Admiral Kirk said, adding that the JWC’s mission was vital in achieving a more agile and ready NATO force.
“All that we do here – operational-level training, concept development, innovation – strengthens NATO’s readiness. I am looking forward to serving with you and being a contributing member of the JWC’s vital mission within NATO.”
Rear Admiral James A. Kirk assumed his position as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway, on 22 May 2018.
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