BYDGOSZCZ, Poland – In a ceremony held at NATO’s Joint Force Training Centre today, German Army Major General Norbert Wagner handed over command to his successor, Major General Bogdan Rycerski of the Polish Army.
The change of command ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Simon Asquith, Chief of Staff to Supreme Allied Commander Transformation.
NATO’s Joint Force Training Centre, stands as a pivotal hub in NATO’s training landscape. Established in 2004, and one of three commands subordinate to Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia, it swiftly evolved into a cornerstone of NATO’s training community, pioneering modernized approaches to enhance warfighting readiness, operational effectiveness and Allied cohesion. In 2024, the Centre celebrates its 20th Anniversary.
During his speech, Vice Admiral Asquith highlighted the historical context of the event, coinciding with NATO’s 75th anniversary, Poland’s 25th anniversary of NATO membership, and Allied Command Transformation’s and Joint Force Training Centre’s 20th anniversaries. Asquith emphasized the complex and unpredictable security environment facing NATO, including the threat posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He stressed the importance of deterrence and defence as NATO’s core mission and highlighted the Centre’s crucial role in ensuring that NATO’s military instrument of power remains effective.
“Allied Command Transformation with the Joint Force Training Centre, are hard at work to ensure that our Military Instrument of Power, operated by our brothers in arm in Allied Command Operations, is up to the task, today and tomorrow. In that mission, JFTC has a distinct and unique role within NATO Command Structure, focusing on joint and combined training at the tactical level. As we strive to make NATO’s military instrument of power more than the sum of its parts, ‘interoperability’ and ‘interconnectivity’ are key. The synergy that emerges from our collective efforts is practiced, enhanced and developed through your efforts.”
Asquith praised Major General Norbert Wagner’s achievements during his time in command and welcomed Major General Bogdan Rycerski as the new commander of JFTC. He also expressed gratitude to the Polish hosts for their continued support and hospitality of this important NATO command.
As a key venue for NATO Command Structure and NATO Force Structure exercises, the Joint Force Training Centre constantly adapts to the dynamic development of the Alliance’s training environment. The Joint Force Training Centre plays a key role in the LEDA exercise series that includes thousands of personnel from across NATO, with Exercise Control staff steering the exercise from the Centre. It also conducts annual exercises Steadfast Pyramid and Pinnacle, which introduce recently appointed Flag and General officers to the Alliance’s planning process, doctrine and policy. Additionally, the Centre provides proficient Training Teams to fortify Exercise Control elements in diverse training events and exercises, amplifying their effectiveness.
In his farewell speech, outgoing Commander Major General Wagner shared that he was “deeply impressed about our staff and its commitment. Everybody showed high engagement and great dedication to support our main customer – NATO Force Structure – to prepare for deterrence and defence and to improve readiness.”
After assuming command, Major General Bogdan Rycerski said: “The first thing I would like to highlight is the continuity of the mission and the projects started by my predecessor, Major General Norbert Wagner. I believe that continuity is vital for development of every command.” Addressing all units, structures and authorities the Joint Force Training Centre has cooperated with, and especially those from the city of Bydgoszcz and Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, General Rycerski added: “I am looking forward to our future cooperation and I am sure that the next three years will be fruitful, filled with success and development.”
As Major General Bogdan Rycerski assumes command, a new chapter begins at the Joint Force Training Centre. The command is poised to continue its vital role in NATO’s training landscape. His predecessor, Major General Wagner, leaves a lasting legacy, and General Rycerski’s leadership will undoubtedly shape the Centre’s future as it adapts to the evolving security environment and continues to deliver world-class training.
