Page 24 - Cormorant Issue 20 2017

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Brussels by night (Caroline already asleep)
RSE 1 – Brussels
Wg Cdr Andy McIntyre
FOR 71 ACSC staff and students from Syndicates A3, A7, B4, B8, C2 and C4, Regional Security Exercise (RSE 1) involved a visit to
Brussels over the period of 13th to 17th November. The JSCSC aim was to develop a critical understanding of security and defence issues
from foreign national, regional and institutional perspectives. Whilst the other four groups looked to consider a particular country’s view of security, we were offered the chance to investigate the NATO and EU perspectives on a range of different countries. The trip started with a post- Remembrance Service departure and it readily became clear that with the impending International Security Studies Essay deadline approaching, travel time represented golden essay time, at least for those who had already assimilated the 21 articles and 22 bios contained within the pre-departure reading pack. It would be very easy to report that the journey itself was uneventful, but that would be unfair to the individual who turned left instead of right, breaking the line, and subsequently leading 30 other senior of cers on a half hour meander around the Brussels Eurostar terminal rather than just boarding the bus so we could get to the hotel.
The rst formal event was a visit to NATO HQ, which was universally accepted to be the most rewarding and ful lling day of the overall visit due to the candid nature of the variety of presentations and panels throughout what was a busy day. Whilst our visit took place in the current HQ, much
emphasis was placed on the new HQ building due
to open early next year. At a construction cost of over €1.2 billion the building will provide adequate accommodation for the 28 NATO member nations and signi cant improvement over the current premises, commissioned for the original 12 members in the 1960s. Key speakers included the UK Military Representative (UKMILREP), the Deputy Military Representative (DMILREP), Head and Executive Coordinator Operations Division together with panels from the North Atlantic Council, Military Committee and the partner views of Australia and Jordan, all
of whom offered a fascinating insight into the inner workings and outward views of the organisation. Perhaps the most salient point raised was the effort involved in achieving consensus across the member nations, both within committee meetings or in the corridors outside such that the organisation can approach challenges with a united front. Cormorant Hall questioning procedures were dutifully followed, although it was clear that train lag affected the quality in some cases. (That would be when a 4* replies in less than 10 words and includes the word ‘obvious’ - you know who you are).
The following day mirrored the rst, but focused
on the military side of NATO at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons. It is fair to say that the SHAPE HQ building is in need of some minor works investment, but that did not prevent another rewarding day with briefs from Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR), Gen Bradshaw and a number of international of cers outlining the initiatives agreed within the Wales and Warsaw summits, including the Readiness Action Plan. At this stage we were also able to con rm that not even NATO cares