Palomeros: NATO’s Commitment to Readiness

Gen. Jean-Paul Palomeros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Jan. 14, 2013The NATO Summit in Wales was a key milestone for the alliance. It has ensured our security and protected democratic values in the Euro-Atlantic Area for 65 years. . . .

The Connected Forces Initiative (CFI) represents a remarkable opportunity to bring greater synergy to the efforts made by our 28 member nations in education, training and exercises. Through the implementation of CFI, NATO forces already benefited in 2014 from a program of 200 realistic exercises, and they have provided a dynamic presence in support of the reassurance measures for our Eastern allies.

NATO’s commitment to preparedness will be showcased next year, when Spain, Italy and Portugal co-host an exercise bringing together over 25,000 personnel. CFI will also bolster our NATO Response Force including a Very High Readiness Joint Task Force. . . .

The Wales Summit stressed the need for NATO to provide connected, prepared and interoperable forces able to cope with emerging threats. I’m confident in our success to achieve this goal thanks to the men and women who support our transformation efforts every day. They are the alliance’s most important resource. They are the ones who, whenever necessary, will defend our core values, our peace and our freedom.

Gen. Jean-Paul Palomeros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO.

Image: Gen. Jean-Paul Palomeros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Jan. 14, 2013 (photo: NATO)