From 6 to 8 July 2011, the Chief of the NATO Manning Division of the Headquarters United States European Command (US EUCOM) Mrs Karen Taylor and the Deputy Chief of the NATO Manning Division of the Headquarters US EUCOM Mr Robert Ortiz paid a visit to the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast (HQ MNC NE) to discuss various aspects of the US presence in the Corps.
Multinational Corps Northeast has been reinforced by two US Staff Officers since 2006 and in the context of ongoing changes within the NATO Command and Force Structure as well as the internal transformation of the MNC NE structure, the visit of US representatives turned out to be an excellent opportunity to discuss not only the role of the Corps as such but also possible increase of US presence at the Headquarters.
Representatives of the US EUCOM were presented with comprehensive briefings on the Corps’ role and missions, its major achievements, most valid facts and figures concerning the Corps’ current activities as well as goals and challenges for the future. “This Corps is as spectacular and as impressive as we have been informed from our two representatives that are currently assigned to the HQ,” admitted Mr Robert Ortiz, “We were very impressed with the professionalism of this Corps; this Corps is proven, it has deployed twice to support ISAF.” The guests were also very satisfied with the fact that the Corps is orientated to the future, looking also beyond ISAF in the other roles that the Corps may be called upon.
Having received the green light from the Deputy Commander of the US EUCOM Lieutenant General John D. Gardner, the discussions also referred to finding room for the increased US presence in the Corps. “We are trying to see would there be benefit both to the Corps to bring US capability here as well as to the US for putting our officers out here and partnering with other nations and partnering with the nations within the Corps,” said Mrs Tayor explaining that the Corps’ orientation to cooperate with new NATO countries is also a benefit to the US EUCOM.
Even though no agreements have been made so far, the visit was assessed positively. “I think we had a very productive discussion identifying possible billets for the US to bid on,” said Mrs Taylor stressing the fact that the result of this particular visit would be the recommendation given to the Deputy Commander of the US EUCOM, whereas any binding decisions would be taken by the national authorities back in US.
