The gathering was officially opened by Brigadier General Vasile Bucur. In his welcoming remarks he underlined the importance of the Intel Systems community as indispensable enablers of all the processes in the Intel and Joint, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR) functional area.  He expressed his hope that the 18th ISUG might help promote solutions to open issues so that future challenges can be properly addressed.

 

Almost 40 ISUG members took part in the meeting, representing NATO HQ and most commands from the Allied Command Operations structure, as well as some participants from the NATO Force Structure. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), BICES group executive (BGX) and the Allied Command Counter-Intelligence Unit (ACCI) were also present.  Allied Group Surveillance (AGS), Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and STRIKEFORCE NATO also joined the ISUG via Video Conference.

 

All participating Commands and Units provided a Command update in which they briefed their achievements, challenges and current issues. Additionally, SHAPE, ACT and BGX updated participants about the latest developments in the Intel Systems arena as well as about the expected developments for the near and long term future.  Additional focus discussions were also held on specific topics such as Intel support to the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP).