This week, Ludwig Decamps, the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) General Manager, embarked on a trip to Italy to visit the NATO Headquarters of Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP), the NATO Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF), and Agency's key Communications and Information Systems Support Units (CSUs) providing support in the country.
Decamps began his trip with a visit to Naples on 27 and 28 November. JFCNP is one of the three Joint Force Commands in the NATO Command Structure. The Command prepares, plan and conduct military operations to preserve peace and security, and safeguard territorial integrity of Alliance member states. Through the CSU, around 65 Agency personnel based in Naples, provide support to enable JFCNP connectivity during operations and missions.
The purpose of this visit was to strengthen the positive relationship with JFCNP leadership and discuss current issues and future strategic requirements related to Agency support to JFCNP and Operations. The General Manager met with JFCNP Commander Admiral Stuart Munsch, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Vasco Angelotti, Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations Rear Admiral Jean Emmanuel Roux de Luze, the new CSU Commander Navy Captain Vincenzo Pascale, and NCI Agency personnel on-site.
The General Manager was also given a tour of the facilities of the Naples Command, including a visit of JFCNP, the Data Centre and the Joint Operations Centre. On day 2, Decamps also conducted an All Hands meeting with CSU personnel to discuss current issues related to the Agency's support to the Command.
On 29 November, the General Manager travelled to Sicily to visit the NATO Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) and CSU Sigonella. The aim of this engagement was to strengthen the positive relation with NISRF and CSU leadership, as well as Agency personnel.
The Agency is responsible for many of the systems and services required to operate the five RQ-4D remotely piloted aircraft. It helps distributing Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance information that these assets collect across the NATO Command Structure and the Nations, and delivering key satellite communications services to ensure connectivity to the Alliance at all times.
During his visit to Sigonella, Decamps was given a walk-through visit of the NISRF facilities and met with NISRF Commander Brigadier General Andrew Clark, Chief of Staff Colonel Hans Knittlmeier and CSU Commander Navy Captain Daniel Badircu. He also conducted an All Hands meeting with the 21 Agency personnel based in CSU Sigonella, to foster communication and align on important matters.
The Agency has CSUs, or Communications and Information Systems Support Units, spread across 22 locations around the world. They provide on-site support and ensure delivery of IT services to NATO and NATO countries to certify all communication networks remain operational and secure.
The visit to these two critical Agency units in Italy provided an opportunity to further build closer bridges and promote a "One Agency" culture to overcome the geographical distance between all locations.