STAVANGER, Norway – NATO Joint Warfare Centre’s (JWC) first All Hands Call in 2021 was held virtually on February 5, 2021. It was one of the largest information exchange and teambuilding events of the Centre recently via the internet.
“I am excited and thrilled to see how we are able to leverage technology to conduct this event, and I am very grateful for our technicians who set it up and have proven our flexibility and willingness to try out new things,” said Rear Admiral Jan C. Kaack, Commander JWC.
Rear Admiral Kaack underlined that the JWC stayed focused on the mission at hand and remained steadfast despite the changes brought on by the pandemic, while continuing to accomplish all of its critical work, including several construction projects and major upgrades on-site, in addition to the Centre’s key exercise and warfare development outputs.
Rear Admiral Kaack highlighted the strong relationship with NATO’s two strategic commands, Allied Command Operations (ACO) and Allied Command Transformation (ACT).
“We are in constant dialogue with ACT and ACO. Our reputation as honest brokers turns out to be of great advantage when we tackle big future issues like exercise complexity or the implementation of the NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept.”
Rear Admiral Kaack said the most remarkable achievement of the JWC’s One Team in recent months was safely executing Exercise STEADFAST JUPITER-JACKAL 2020, which took place earlier in December last year at various locations in Europe. The exercise provided unique opportunities to train and evaluate the 2021 NATO Response Force (NRF) headquarters, focusing on a comprehensive and cooperative approach to security.
“By executing STEADFAST JUPITER-JACKAL 2020, we have proven that the Joint Warfare Centre is a flexible, creative, and resilient organization with a ‘can-do’ attitude. You stayed focused and kept the initiative on a stressful, yet rewarding path to a successful and valuable exercise.”
As for the way ahead, Rear Admiral Kaack noted that his main effort for 2021 was centered upon exercise delivery.
The Commander also reviewed in his speech key warfare development-related tasks and projects in 2021. Designated as one of NATO’s keystone warfare development establishments, the JWC “has the exciting task of assisting ACO and ACT to implement NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept, and, undeniably, it is in our exercises that such concepts can be tested,” Rear Admiral Kaack added.
During the virtual All Hands Call, British Army Staff Sergeant Andrew Herron, Director of Management (DOM) Staff Assistant, was named the JWC’s 2020 Military Member of the Year (MMOY).
Rear Admiral Jan C. Kaack also honoured eight staff members with the Commander’s Coin to show his appreciation for their exceptional work.
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