Year of the Non-Commissioned Officer

The Joint Electronic Warfare Core Staff – a place for NCOs to strive

26 Nov. 2008 - NATO JEWCS was formed in July 2006 from the former Multi-Service Electronic Warfare Support Group (MEWSG), the NATO Emitter Data Base (NEDB) staff and other EW personnel. Combining several NATO EW elements in one organisation allows more efficient support to NATO commands and Headquarters in this specialist area.

The NATO JEWCS assets comprises a broad spectrum of advanced equipment able to emulate the EW threats by locating and identifying exercise emitters, simulating threat emitters, jamming radars, jamming and spoofing communications and jamming data links and most of the assets are operated by NCOs. SHAPE Public Affairs Office has interviewed some of the NCOs operating the assets.

To read more about NATO JEWCS go to http://www.jewcs.nato.int/

NATO NCO's Vital Role in AWACS Training

25 Sep. 2008 - The NATO AWACS E3-A is a modified Boeing 707 equipped with state of the art radar capable of detecting air traffic over large distances and at low altitudes as well as tracking shipping, but this equipment is only as good as the people who operate it. At the Geilenkirchen airbase NCO's of several nationalities provide comprehensive training of the crews.

Reporter Rolla Suttmiller, AFN, has interviewed some of the NCOs conducting the training during a day with not less than 5 different classes onboard the plane. To read more about the NATO AWACS go to http://www.nato.int/issues/awacs/index.html

NCO Teamwork at NATO Air Base, Gelinkirchen

19 Sep. 2008 - The success of a mission is dependent on timely and accurate delivery of supply and any delays in the lines of communication can cause severe problems in the mission area. Reporter Rolla Suttmiller’s (AFN) video illustrates the importance of the NCOs’ teamwork to fulfill the requests from the operational theatre, in an interview with MWO Paul Bruchu, Canadian Air Force, NCOIC, Cargo Movement.

The backbone: a tribute to the important role of NCOS throughout the JWC and NATO

19 Sep. 2008 - AS a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer representing the US Army here at the Joint Warfare Centre, I am honored to have been given the opportunity to expound on a major transformation initiative; the development of a professional NCO Corps within NATO. NATO’s two principle component commands, Allied Command Operations and Allied Command Transformation, have both declared 2008 as the “Year of the Non-Commissioned Officer”. By the time this magazine edition is distributed, we will be half-way through what I hope will be a historic year for the Alliance. Befitting this historical declaration, this edition of the JWC Three Swords Magazine is dedicated to the significant and lasting contributions of NCOs assigned throughout the organization. What an exciting time to be an NCO assigned to NATO and empowered to demonstrate the leadership, professionalism, strength, dedication, and commitment to the core values of an NCO Corps!

The year of the NCO in NATO

19 Sep. 2008 - As the Senior Enlisted Leader of JWC, I am honoured to have the opportunity to talk about NCOs within NATO in our magazine. At the initiative of CSM Michael Bartelle and CSM Ludek Kolesa, both strategic Commanders, SACEUR and SACT, have agreed to declare 2008 “Year of the NCO” in NATO. We can all be proud of that decision, for this is a way to recognize that NCOs are an integral link in the chain of command for NATO; that they contribute in all areas of military activity by providing their leadership, inspiration, and motivation; that they have a key role in transforming the Alliance.

Interview with SSG Mark Ledesma at the ACT Military Member of the Year Ceremony.

19 Sep. 2008 -“MMOY Ceremony formally recognizes NCOs for their achievement”
SSG Mark Ledesma represented the Joint Warfare Centre at the ACT Military Member of the Year Ceremony.

Training the trainers – readying NCO’s for working with the Afghan National Army

26 Jun. 2008 - The Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) located in Hohenfels, Germany trains soldiers from almost all NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] nations in preparation for deployment to serve in Afghanistan. Since April 2006 US European Command (EUCOM) has provided training for NATO member Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLTs) at the JMC prior to their deployment to ISAF. This short video shows the work of the unit with a group and includes and interview with a Hungarian CSM.

U.S. Air Force NCO Exemplifies Year of the NCO Concepts

18 May 2008 - Listening to a day in the life of Tech. Sgt. David Feathers sounds like the plot to a Hollywood spy film, but really it’s just the day in the life of an outstanding NATO Noncommissioned Officer (NCO).

NCO is "a force multiplier" in Afghanistan

15 May 2008 - Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar Chauhan MBE has been serving with ISAF as an interpreter coordinator in the RC South region in Afghanistan. Described by his Commanding Officer as a "force multiplier in his own right" WO Chauhan's leadership and initiative are essential elements in his sucess.  Reporter Rolla Suttmiller, American Forces Network (AFN), has profiled him for the Year of the Non-Commissioned Officer.

The Canadian Forces celebrates the “Year of the Non-Commissioned Officer.”

30 Apr 2008 - Sergeant Patrick Tower of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry is profiled in the Canadian Military Weekly Newspaper “The Maple Leaf” as part of NATO’s Year of the Non-Commissioned Officer.

Let Them Flourish

09 Apr 2008 - Daily, the Alliance is proving its important role of ongoing operations in the theaters of Afghanistan, Kosovo, and the Mediterranean.  The missions of: ISAF, KFOR and OAE are well-covered by the media, and the professional work of the soldiers from the 26 member nations are known around the world.  This would not be possible without the coordination of work from each member of the organization.  At Allied Joint Force Command Headquarters Naples, Italy the commitment of the almost 300 enlisted personnel assures the missions are accomplished.

French NCO returns from challenging Afghanistan deployment

20 Mar 2008 - NORFOLK, Va.— Allied Command Transformation has been providing non-commissioned officers to the International Security Assistance Force headquarters on a six month rotational basis to support its mission.  ISAF is responsible for assisting the Afghan government in extending its authority across the country, conducting stability and security operations in coordination with the Afghan national security forces, mentoring and supporting the Afghan National Army, and supporting Afghan government programmes to disarm illegally armed groups.

Military Police Branch Pioneer

10 Sep 2007 - Chief Petty Officer First Class (CPO1) Jocelyne Ross has spent twenty-nine years in the Canadian Forces, had more than ten postings across Canada, numerous domestic operations and deployments abroad.