In the past rounds in Kabul, at the auditorium of the Afghan Ministry of Defense, the Closing Ceremony of the 5th Introduction to Operational Planning Course (IOPC-5). The course, for the first time conducted only by Afghan instructors under the supervision of mentors of NATO Joint Forces Command Brunssum (JFCBS), successfully attended 45 attendees, including 5 women.
Present at the ceremony was the NATO senior civilian representative for Afghanistan, Sir Nicholas Kay, the deputy commander of the NATO mission Resolute Support (RS) and Italian senior national representative, Salvatore Camporeale army corps general, Afghan Deputy Defense Minister, Lieutenant General (AFG) Hilaluddin Helal, and the Director of Unified Training, Education and Doctrine Command (UTED-C), Lieutenant General (AFG) Payenda Mohammad Nazim.
General Camporeale, in his speech, highlighted that IOPC courses are a fundamental part of NATO's Enduring Partnership; in particular, in the formation of future generations of Afghan leaders.
"I hope that, during this period, you have had the opportunity to forge strong bonds of friendship between you, and that these remain alive when you return to serve in their respective ministries." - continued addressing course-goers - "This network will make your organizations more efficient, stronger and more resilient".
The ceremony ended with the delivery to the participants of the course of participation certificates and patches depicting the IOPC emblem; moreover, the most deserving among them was awarded by the general Camporeale with a memorial plaque, in recognition of the excellent results obtained.
The IOP courses aim to prepare the attending personnel to work in staff appointed to operational planning activities, according to NATO doctrine, within the broader decision-making process. This ability is essential for conceiving and organizing all types of operations.
The mission Resolute Support is made up of soldiers from 41 nations, all united in a single purpose, that of contributing to the training, assistance and advice for the local Institutions and Security Forces in order to facilitate the conditions for the creation of a state by law, credible and transparent institutions and above all, autonomous and well-equipped security forces. This path is leading the Afghan Security Forces to take on the task of guaranteeing the security of the country and their compatriots.
