On 16 July 2025, Brigadier General Cristinel-Dumitru Colibaba, of the Romanian Army, assumed command of the JALLC from Commodore António Neves Correia, Portuguese Navy, Major General Constantin-Adrian Ciolponea, the official representative of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation in Europe, presided over the ceremony. 

The ceremony, which was marked by the traditional exchange of flags between the outgoing commander and the incoming commander, was attended by representatives from various NATO Bodies in Portugal and National entities, including their excellencies Dr Alvaro Castelo Branco, Portuguese Deputy Minister of Defence, and Dr Nuno Pinheiro Torres, Secretary of State Assistant for National Defence Policy, as well as Major General Bogdan Cernat, former JALLC Commander and acting representative of the Romanian Chief of Defence. 

Commodore Neves Correia, who took command of the JALLC last year, noted that he had been proud to command the JALLC. Highlighting some of the JALLC’s achievements from the past two years, including the JALLC’s work  in support of NATO’s learning from Russia’s war against Ukraine, the continued extensive cooperation and relationship-building with the new Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre, and the development of the new concept for NATO Lessons Learned 360^o (a concept that will see NATO expand its lessons learning beyond its borders to capture valuable lessons from Partners and others entities).  Stating: “The JALLC reall is a remarkable organization. With a staff of just 49 people [the JALLC] provides NATO-wide support across its five key activities.”  You can read more about our activities here. 

Brigadier General (BGEN) Colibaba, who will be taking over command of the JALLC for the next three-years, is no stranger to Lessons Learned with experience in the field throughout his career including as Deputy Commander of the Romanian Land Operational Component Command where he also acted as Chair of the Lessons Learned Board. BGEN Colibaba not only brings a wealth of operational experience to the JALLC, but also a Ph.D. in Military Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in law, enabling him to bring is academic skills and experience to bear on the JALLC’s renowned analysis reports.  

With reference to Supreme Allied Commander Transformation's (SACT), Admiral Pierre Vandier’s, recent document on his Vision and in Intent for Allied Command Transformation, he noted that: “I have understood that Admiral Vandier wants us to be Bold in thinking, Fast in delivery, and Unified in purpose. I intend to meet his intent for ACT and I am committed to ensuring that the JALLC continues to meet his expectations as our Strategic Command strives to enable the transformation of the Military Instrument of Power: as SACT himself put it: from foresight to warfight.” 

The JALLC thanks Commodore Antonio Neves Correia for his commitment and dedication to the JALLC over the past year, congratulate him on his promotion, and wish him all the best in his new assignment.  We are looking forward to working with our new Commander as he gets to know the JALLC, its staff, and what we do for NATO and the Nations.