Commander JFC Brunssum Visits German Air Operations Command

Kalkar, Germany - Commander Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, General Salvatore Farina, visited the German Air Operations Command 19/20 September. The visit was intended to provide a personal ‘look and feel’ of how preparations of the German Joint Force Air Component (JFAC) for JFC Brunssum’s 2018 NATO Response Force (NRF) stand-by phase were progressing.

The visit commenced with briefings and discussions led by Lieutenant General Joachim Wundrak, Commander German Air Operations Command, and Brigadier General Burkhard Kollmann, Director German JFAC; General Farina was informed about the status of German JFAC NRF preparations, provided an assessment of current challenges and the way ahead. General Farina took the opportunity to elaborate on the main efforts for the whole NRF package in the upcoming period in light of the current global security situation. In addition to some very productive conversations, the JFC Brunssum commander also seized the chance to briefly visit the co-located NATO Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Uedem, the NATO Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC), and the German National Air Security Centre.

Following a number of insightful meetings General Farina attended the distinguished visitors’ day for Exercise BRILLIANT ARROW 2017 on the second day of his trip. Following the national Exercise KALKAR SKY 2016, which certified the German JFAC for their 2018 NRF commitment, BRILLIANT ARROW is this year’s most important training event for the NRF air components. Amongst many other serials it incorporates live flying activities over Northern Germany, the Netherlands and the North Sea.

General Farina was hugely content with this information rich trip and the recognisable progress of NRF 2018 components. The German JFAC demonstrated great professionalism and confidence in their capabilities, and categorically proved to be on the right track.

Story by JFC Brunssum Public Affairs Office