The USAREUR Commander, LTG Mark Hertling, visited the JCBRN Defence COE on 17 April 2012.  LTG Hertling’s visit corresponded with an overall visit of military facilities throught the Czech Republic and Slovakia.  During his visit, LTG Hertling not only visited the JCBRN Defence COE, but also received briefings from the TRADOC of Armed Forces of the Czech Republic as well as an information brief from the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) all who are located at Vyskov Military Garrison.

     LTG Hertling received briefings on the current status and capabilities of the JCBRN Defence COE from the center’s Senior National Representative of the United States, COL Randy L. Smith.  The briefing also included a review of the COE’s cooperative efforts with U.S. Army Europe units under the Generals command.  The visit ended with a short tour of the JCBRN Defence COE’s Modeling and Simulation Suite, which offers a unique hazard prediction and modeling capability to NATO.

      The meeting culminated with valuable discussions on potential areas of future cooperation between U.S. Army Europe and the JCBRN Defence COE.  We hope this is just one of many visits from this valuable partner.

 Author: COL Randy Lee Smith

Photos: Mrs. Hana Jurcova

        The Director of the M&S COE (located in Rome, ITA) and his expert-team visited the JCBRN Defence COE 16-18 Apr 2012. The meeting provided a good opportunity to establish a platform for future cooperation with regard to M&S areas of work. The preparation of CBRN scenarios relevant to NATO operations and development of standards for the CBRN aspects of NATO Models were the main topics of discussion between Colonel Mastrorosa, Director M&S COE and Colonel Cizek, Director of the JCBRN Defence COE. Subject Matter Experts from the M&S COE and the M&S Cell of the JCBRN Defence COE discussed detailed coordination in areas of conversion terrain data, creation of 3D models, M&S software federation requirements and mutual support in preparation and execution of computer assisted exercises (CAX).

Both institutions decided to strengthen their official cooperation and especially to lay a foundation for the future collaboration of their M&S Subject Matter Experts, taking full advantage of both institutions M&S capabilities for NATO’s transformation and training needs.

Author: LTC Petr Neuer

Photo:  Mrs. Hana Jurcova

       Responding to a request by Allied Command Operations (ACO), Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate the Joint CBRN Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE) hosted a workshop designed to facilitate revision of the Combined Joint – CBRN Defence Task Force (CJCBRN - TF) CONOPS from 3 to 4 April 2012 in Vyskov, Czech Republic.  Subject Matter Experts from several NATO commands and representatives from many NATO nations critical to the generation of the TF attended the meeting focused on identifying shortfalls in the current CONOPS and offering proposals to eliminate or mitigate any identified capability gaps for inclusion into the next version of the document.

      Workshop attendees worked on an ambitious timeline to address specific issues highlighted by IMS tasker 0048.  All representatives provided informed inputs based on current NATO policies as well as the impending changes in the NATO Command Structure (NCS).  Additionally the JCBRN Def COE experts offered advice on relevant training issues pertaining to the CBRN Joint Advisory Team (CBRN JAT). Proper sequencing and the taught organization of the work schedule ensured continuity in both the lively discussions and drafting of the new concept that will be sent out for staffing and be fully developed in second and third quarter of 2012.

      This meeting demonstrated the significance of “horizontal cooperation” at the working level.  The Joint CBRN Def COE again provided support to ACO based on its program of work and honored a time sensitive request from the operational component of NATO.  In addition, this meeting provides an example of how the JCBRN Def COE bridges the gap between the operational and transformational aspects of NATO.

Author and photos: MAJ Karel Vydra