International Study Tour

Students of the Joint Command and General Staff Course 2011/2012 and Civil Servants Course (CSC) participated in the International Study Tour (IST) from 4th to 9th of March 2012. The BALTDEFCOL delegation was led by the Commandant BG Meelis Kiili. The aim of the IST was to understand the role of the staffs in a joint environment, the command and control structure of the joint forces and the coordination between the joint and the strategic/political level of war.

During the first day of the IST, the JCGSC and CSC visited Joint Force Command Naples and Maritime component command Naples. The students received many important briefings including topics on Operation United Protector, KFOR mission, Operations Active Endeavour and Ocean Shield, and others.

On 6th of March 2012 the courses visited US 6th fleet HQ. The aim of this visit was to let BALTDEFCOL students see the working environment of a Component level Headquarters. BALTDEFCOL staff was presented a general overview of Operations Odyssey Dawn, Allied protector and Ocean Shield, Africa operations and other very important topics.

On 8th of March 2012 the NATO Defence College (NDC) located in Rome was visited. Visitors were welcomed by the (NDC) Commandant, Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug. The students were introduced to NDC and participated in lecture together with NDC courses. The same day students also visited Italian Operational HQ and received info briefs on Italian Armed Forces and EU Operational HQ.

The tour was very beneficial for the students to help them to understand the role and responsibilities of NATO Command and Control structure and it was very significant part of their professional development.