General Farina Hosts Enhanced Forward Presence Commanders' Conference

Brunssum, Netherlands – Commander JFC Brunssum, General Salvatore Farina, hosted a two-day enhanced Forward Presence Commanders’ Conference 6/7 September. Amongst other issues briefings delivered served to spark discussion focusing on requisite capabilities and, in some cases, minor shortfalls that require remedy to better support Alliance deterrence efforts into the future.

The purpose of NATO is to be a provider of deterrence based on a combination of conventional, nuclear, forward presence, training and an effective and responsive command and control structure. Forces for a forward presence must deter and defend against threats emerging from any direction across the full spectrum of missions from large scale to regional and local threats. Over the past year NATO has been implementing the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence since the end of the Cold War. The eFP battle groups deployed to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland are a clear demonstration of NATO’s transatlantic unity and resolve, and they send a message to any potential aggressor. The deployments are defensive and measured. The aim is to prevent conflict, not to provoke it.

In his remarks General Farina stated ‘…now there is a need for the next steps. We can use this forum for discussion….how to face emerging risks and continually move towards more effective deterrence.’

Story by JFC Brunssum Public Affairs Office