For the first time in the history of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Joint Command, its Commander Lieutenant General David M. Rodriguez officially welcomed the new team assuming posts at the headquarters. The ceremony for the staff of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) was held on 17 February 2010.
Welcoming Ceremony
At 13:00 Kabul local time (that is 9:30 Szczecin local time), the MNC NE staff gathered in front of all flags representing nations contributing to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The MNC NE Chief of Staff Brigadier General Josef Heinrichs, who is the highest-ranking MNC NE serviceman deployed to ISAF, reported to the Commander ISAF Joint Command. The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Staff of the ISAF Joint Command Major General Boag, the Deputy Chief of Staff Joint Operations Major General Regner as well as the Chief of the CJ3 Division Brigadier General Scollo.
General Rodriguez welcomed the MNC NE servicemen and noticed that the MNC NE team constituted quite a large group within the ISAF Joint Command. This group of about 130 personnel from 10 nations (out of 11 nations contributing to the Multinational Corps Northeast) arrived in Kabul to support the efforts of NATO in Afghanistan. General Rodriguez also noticed that they had created a good team already back in Poland, what would make it easier for them to enter the international environment of the ISAF Joint Command. He also expressed his conviction that for each MNC NE officer and non-commissioned officer the mission in Afghanistan is going to be a very important experience.
The Commander of the ISAF Joint Command touched upon the current situation in Afghanistan, including the ongoing operation in the Helmand province. He also stressed the impressive tempo of development in Afghanistan and huge efforts of NATO put into making the situation in Afghanistan better.
General Rodriguez concluded his speech with expressing his gratitude for the MNC NE contribution to ISAF as well as the sacrifice of families of the deployed personnel.
Photographs by IJC
