Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Polish Army General Mieczyslaw Bieniek presided over Joint Warfare Centre’s (JWC) change of command ceremony June 17.

French Army Major General Jean Fred Berger relieved German Army Lieutenant General Wolfgang Korte as the JWC Commander.

Prior to assuming command of JWC, Berger served as the General Officer for International Relationships at the Chief of the Army Staff Headquarters in Paris.

“It is a privilege for me to be in charge of this command, which is recognised for its high professionalism, efficiency and adaptability,” said Berger. “I would like to stress the outstanding way men, women, civilians, soldiers, officers and non-commissioned officers of 22 nations serve on a daily basis to complete the missions received from the Alliance and nations.”

Berger commented on JWC’s role in NATO’s transformation and tremendous impact on the battlefield through its operational level pre-deployment training.

“I know that training and preparing HQs, teams and individuals to be sent to Afghanistan or to be set up as deployable HQs on a high readiness posture in the NATO Response Force framework are very challenging tasks, which require a permanent and full involvement at individual as well as collective levels. Each of you is fully aware and conscious of the responsibilities that the Joint Warfare Centre faces in preparing NATO’s future on behalf of Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation,” said Berger.

Berger also thanked Korte for his outstanding leadership and assured him that he would continue to uphold Joint Warfare Centre's legacy of excellence.

“During the last four years, day after day, step by step, firmly, with an endless watchmaker’s patience, you have been shaping this centre, this team, and contributing to forge its reputation based on outstanding results,” said Berger.

Korte is retiring after a 42-year military career in the German Army.