20 June 2003
Giambastiani Assumes NATO Transformation Command
(Admiral's remarks at June 19 ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia) (910)
In a ceremony June 19 in Norfolk, Virginia, NATO's new Allied Command
Transformation (ACT) was established and its former Allied Command
Atlantic was decommissioned.
U.S. Admiral Edmund Giambastiani was sworn in as NATO's first Supreme
Allied Commander Transformation following introductory remarks by NATO
Secretary General Lord Robertson.
Speaking at the ceremony, Giambastiani noted that at its 2002 Summit
in Prague, NATO agreed to transform its capabilities to meet the new
challenges of the 21st century.
"Our job in Allied Command Transformation is not only to oversee the
transformation of NATO's military capabilities but also to spend every
day instigating that transformation," he said.
"Equally important, this command will serve as the new trans-Atlantic
bridge to ensure we can continue to operate effectively as an Alliance
whenever, wherever and however we may be called upon to do so."
ACT will be co-located with United States Joint Forces Command in
Norfolk.
Along with Lord Robertson, the 19 Permanent Representatives of NATO
member countries traveled to Norfolk to take part in the ceremony and
the ACT Seminar 2003 "Building on Capabilities and Steering Change."
The NATO Web site containing Lord Robertson's and Admiral
Giambastiani's remarks and news releases pertaining to the ceremony
is: http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2003/06-june/e0618a.htm.
Following are Admiral Giambastiani's remarks:
(begin transcript)
SPEECH OF ADMIRAL EDMUND P. GIAMBASTIANI, JR., SUPREME ALLIED
COMMANDER TRANSFORMATION AND COMMANDER, U.S. JOINT FORCES COMMAND
At Allied Command Transformation Establishment Ceremony
Norfolk, Virginia
June 19, 2003
Secretary General Robertson, Ambassadors, Admirals, Generals, Ladies
and Gentlemen:
Since its inception, the North Atlantic Alliance has demonstrated the
vision and commitment to ensure peace and stability across the
Euro-Atlantic region.
Today, we reaffirm that commitment even as we update the vision.
At Prague last November, the Alliance agreed to transform its
capabilities. Last week our Defense Ministers confirmed the elements
of this historic transformation including:
- Creating a NATO Response Force;
- Streamlining command arrangements;
- Restructuring forces to make them smaller, more flexible, more
modern and more effective; and
- Creating a flexible, responsive and focused defense planning
process.
We all know that the road leading to this ceremony was neither
straight nor plain. Few challenges worth tackling are ever easy. But
here we stand, at the threshold of a new command, with the prospects
of an ever more vibrant Alliance before us.
Lord Robertson, this ceremony is testimony to both your personal
leadership and to the collective wisdom of the North Atlantic Council,
whose deliberations you so ably steer.
Lord Robertson once succinctly summarized the three most important
elements for the future of our Alliance as follows:
"Capabilities, capabilities, capabilities."
As you will hear me say time and again, the three most important goals
of Allied Command Transformation are:
"Product, product and product."
Simply put, our job in Allied Command Transformation is not only to
oversee the transformation of NATO's military capabilities but also to
spend every day instigating that transformation.
Equally important, this command will serve as the new trans-Atlantic
bridge to ensure we can continue to operate effectively as an Alliance
whenever, wherever and however we may be called upon to do so.
In executing our mission, we must ensure that our efforts are
comprehensive, for transformation is NOT just about technology or
platforms. It is NOT just a matter of new ships, lighter tanks or
stealthier aircraft. Alliance transformation requires an "intellectual
infrastructure" that includes:
- Enhanced training programs;
- Path breaking concept development and experimentation;
- Effective programs to capture and implement lessons learned; and,
- Common interoperability standards.
All of these endeavors must be informed by a culture of innovation
that rewards intelligent risk-taking. This culture is the "software" -
the intellectual property transfer - of transformation. I am convinced
it will become NATO's "asymmetric edge" in the future.
I'm proud to say that this work has been underway - both in Mons and
in Norfolk - ever since the Prague Summit. On this side of the
Atlantic, Admiral Forbes and his ACLANT [Allied Command Atlantic] team
have done a superb job creating Allied Command Transformation. The
building may look the same from the outside, but there has been a sea
change inside. The Alliance has been nobly served by their efforts. I
am proud to join the team they have forged.
In Europe, General Jones [Gen. James L. Jones, Supreme Allied
Commander Europe] and his staff have been hard at work assuming
control of all Alliance operations. As my partner in NATO and, indeed,
as the primary customer for Allied Command Transformation, I could
wish for none better than Jim Jones, a long time friend and
professional colleague. We are honored by your presence, sir.
It was Plato who said, "The beginning is the most important part of
the work." Lord Robertson, General Kujat, Admiral Forbes, and General
Jones: I'd like to salute all of you for this auspicious beginning.
Building on your base, we, together, will advance the great work
already begun.
Our work ahead is important; it's exciting; and it's challenging. It
will not be easy. But I promise it will be memorable. I am thrilled to
serve alongside the men and women of Allied Command Transformation and
Allied Command Operations as we work with Allies and Partners in
creating our future. For the future of the Alliance begins at Allied
Command Transformation.
Thank you all for joining us today.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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