On 28 February 2011, in the presence of personnel of Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE), Air Operations Coordination Centre and National Support Elements, Commander MNC NE Lieutenant General Rainer Korff decorated Major Jens Alsing with the NATO Meritorious Service Medal awarded by Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Major Jens Alsing received recognition for his service for the Alliance, especially for the realization of tasks during the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan in 2010. “Jens Alsing has upheld the finest traditions of the Alliance by exhibiting courage and through an exceptional contribution which has brought great credit on himself and earned the respect and gratitude of everyone respected by the Alliance," the justification stated.
I am very proud about getting this appreciation,” said Major Alsing. “I hope that all my MNC NE colleagues would see this as another appreciation of the fact that we really made a difference in the mission,” he underlined. Major Alsing stressed the importance of team work, also with the Afghan partners, in making his personal contribution to the mission, not to forget the great military leaders – Lieutanant General David Rodriguez and Major General Michael Regner. He also said the medal has acknowledged the alone, tough year for him and his family. “Without support from your family and colleagues, you can’t make a difference,” he admitted.
Major Jens Alsing spent six months in Afghanistan from February to August 2010, along with other personnel of the Multinational Corps Northeast. He performed a number of tasks within e.g. Information Operations. Most of the time, however, he travelled across Afghanistan as a member of the Joint Initial Assessment Team (JIAT) taking part in 27 trips altogether. The team consisting of among others a lawyer, doctor, press officer and representatives of the Afghan Ministry of Defence and Interior initially assesses who is responsible for tragedies involving civilian population, ISAF troops and Afghan National Seurity Forces. For that reason, the team has to appear immediately on the spot and talk to the local population – the aggrieved, witnesses or families, and to participate in meetings with local, regional authorities, Afghan police and army.
On a daily basis, Major Jens Alsing serves at Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast at the Training & Exercise branch of G3 Staff Division.
NATO Meritorious Service Medal is the highest NATO awards granted by the Secretary General for exceptional service for the Alliance. Persons granted this special award have to fulfil several criteria, among other things perform acts of courage in difficult or dangerous circumstances; show exceptional leadership or personal example; make an outstanding individual contribution to a NATO sponsored programme or activity; enduring particular hardship or deprivation in the interest of NATO.
