Oct 11 2019

LANDCOM Supports NATO HQ in high level staff talks with Colombia

LANDCOM has supported NATO HQ in high level staff talks with Colombia (COL). Colombia is the newest of NATO’s Partners and has expressed a strong interest and multiple ambitions with regards to its NATO Partnership.

These include possible membership in NATOs Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) Programme, possible contributions to ongoing NATO Operations such as Operation SEA GUARDIAN and a possible provision of staff officers to NATOs Partnership Staff Posts (PSP). Colombia has also offered support to NATO through its expertise with its Humanitarian De-mining Centre, as a NATO Partnership and Education Training Centre (PTEC).

The NATO delegation led by MG TOFT, Director General of Cooperative Security, at NATO HQ IMS, was extremely well received by the host nation, and an extensive agenda included personal meetings with the Colombian Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence, and the Chiefs of the Colombian Army, Navy and Air Force. The programme also included visits to the Colombian Army Training and Doctrine Centre as well as to the Colombian Army Training Centre in Tolemaida, and the Palanquero Airbase. The Colombian hosts provided a range of impressive Army and Airforce capability demonstrations at multiple units including the Lanceros Bde, Special Forces Bde, Engineer Bde and Air Assault Bde, and the 11 Fighter Sqn. The demonstrations were very impressive and clearly illustrated high level capacities and capabilities within the Colombian Armed Forces.

LANDCOM was represented by LTC Bade, NOR A, who provided multiple OCC briefings to the Colombian Army Training and Doctrine Centre, the Colombian Navy senior leadership and Navy staff, as well as to selected officers participating in an OCC syndicate at the Colombian Armed Forces University.

Story by LANDCOM G9