Brunssum, the Netherlands - Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum (COM JFCBS) General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta visited Sweden, Finland and Norway from 22 to 26 August 2022. The purpose of the visit was to build on an already strong relationship with the two Partner Nations Sweden and Finland.
These exercises, and their context in broader Alliance strategic deterrence and defence initiatives, are paramount to increase the readiness and flexibility of our forces
In Sweden, Gen. Miglietta met the Swedish Ministry of Defence State Secretary, Mr. Jan-Olof Lind and the Swedish Chief of Defence, Gen. Micael Bydén. Gen Miglietta was received in a welcome ceremony at the Karlberg Military Academy in Solna, where he met the Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Michael Claesson. A NATO partner from almost 30 years, Sweden maintains a close working relationship with the Alliance by taking part in joint military exercises and sending its own forces in military operations.
The General then moved to Finland, where he met the Chief of the Defence, General Timo Kivinen and the Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen. Gen Miglietta also visited the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki, an international organization with 31 member states, whose role is to share members' capabilities to counter hybrid threats.
Like neighbouring Sweden, Finland joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme in 1994 and the two nations are among NATO's most active partners that make particularly significant experienced enhanced opportunities for dialogue and cooperation with the Allies.
"Meeting with these distinguished Commanders and Minister of the NATO Partners provided a unique opportunity to exchange views and thoughts on continuing adaptation in response to the threats and challenges of today and tomorrow," said General Miglietta.
From Finland, Gen Miglietta travelled to Oslo, where he met the Norwegian Chief of Defence, General Eirik Kristoffersen and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, Major General Tonje Skinnarland.
The following day, Gen Miglietta travelled to the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (JHQ) in Bodø to meet its Commander, Lieutenant General Yngve Odlo. Norwegian JHQ is the headquarters in charge of all Norwegian military operations and combined joints exercises. Norway is a key founding member of NATO, which is capable of hosting large-scale multinational exercises. These allow Allied and Partner Nation troops to train and enhance their interoperability in a uniquely challenging environment due to extreme winter weather conditions.
"These exercises, and their context in broader Alliance strategic deterrence and defence initiatives, are paramount to increase the readiness and flexibility of our forces" General Miglietta stated.
