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PRESS RELEASE

NATO School (SHAPE) Press Release

OBERAMMERGAU, Germany The NATO School (SHAPE) celebrates its 50th Anniversary on 27 June 2003. Since 1953, more than 115,000 officers, noncommissioned officers and civilians from all allied and national military commands within the NATO Alliance have attended courses at the School. In addition, students from the Alliance's Partnership for Peace programme as well as students from nations composing the Mediterranean Dialogue have attended the School. From Argentina to Uzbekistan, numeral nations have sent students to attend the School's courses which vary in length from one to three weeks.

The academic programme has grown from two courses in 1953 to 64 different courses 2003. The focus of courses at the School is to develop NATO operational capability and multinational interoperability amongst combined joint operational staff officers and non-commissioned officers, to enable them to work more effectively together. Those who have attended courses at the School agree that the curriculum is extremely valuable in helping them to understand NATO issues and worldwide challenges.

The School fills a unique role in education and training within the Alliance.First, it is NATO's only institution for operational education. Second, it is conducted in a fully multinational environment. While German and the United States provide the largest contingents, 20 other nations are represented on the faculty and staff. Finally, the courses are conducted on a one to three week format. The School's faculty and staff consists of more than 170 personnel coming from 22 different nations of which Germany and the USA have a personnel establishment, others are dependant on voluntary national contributions.

The NATO School will also conduct a Change of Command Ceremony and a historic Transfer of Command Authority (TOCA) on 27 June 2003. Colonel Mark P. Sullivan, US Air Force, assumes command of the School from Captain Richard E. Stevens, Jr., US Navy under a new NATO charter. Formerly under the umbrella of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), the NATO School will now be under the operational control of the new Allied Command Transformation (ACT,formerly SACLANT), residing in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.

Please contact our Public Affairs Office for a detailed program of events and accreditation.

The NATO School (SHAPE)
Public Affairs Office
Am Rainenbichl 54
D-82487 Oberammergau
Tel: +49 (0) 8822-9481-1051
Fax: +49 (0) 8822-7368
singer.herbert@natoschool-shape.de
www.natoschool-shape.de