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Dec 5 2019

SHAPE Partnership Directorate trains staff elements on how to best serve NATO Partners

MONS, Belgium - Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe’s (SHAPE) Partnership Directorate (PD) recently held an Introduction to NATO Military Partnerships Course (IMPC) in Finland, designed to strengthen NATO Partnerships through better coordination and cooperation with NATO Partner Nations.

The course officially opened with a key-note address provided by the PD Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS), Rear Admiral Bulent Turan. The Admiral acknowledged that IMPC is a critical venue for participants to share their knowledge and experience regarding NATO military partnership issues.

Besides being exposed to NATO processes and tools, networking with personnel from all over the Alliance is invaluable

“One of the most important take-a-ways of this high-level participation is to better know and understand each other, which is essential not only for solving some potential problems, but also for improvement of Partner participation in NATO,” said Rear Admiral Turan.

CAPT (N) Mike ROCKSTAD addresses questions on IMS and processes that support partnerships. - NATO Photo by SHAPE Partnership Directorate 

IMPC Course Director, Lieutenant Colonel Angel Santiago, further supported the DCOS’ sentiments stating, "Besides being exposed to NATO processes and tools, networking with personnel from all over the Alliance is invaluable."

He added, "As a participant in IMPC last year, I have leveraged support and assistance from colleagues throughout NATO that I was fortunate to have met and the course goes from strength to strength."

Hosted at the Finnish Defence International Centre (FINCENT), IMPC provided training for 33 participants including 17 NATO and Partner Nation countries.

FINCENT’s facilities are state-of-the-art and self-contained providing a perfect environment for such a course. Instructors from the International Staff, International Military Staff, SHAPE, Joint Force Headquarters, and Single Service Commands were all able to provide their expertise, field participant questions, and lead syndicate activities that applied knowledge learned throughout the course.

Story by SHAPE Partnership Directorate

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