On 21 July 2016, the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Admiral Manfred Nielson (German Navy) honoured the JALLC with a visit. Admiral Nielson was recently appointed to his post at ACT in April 2016 and took time out of his busy schedule to gain a more in depth understanding of the JALLC. DSACT was briefed by the command group and key staff on the JALLC’s ’s mission, tasks, and activities after which he took the time to present his vision for the future of the JALLC and its position in Allied Command Transformation (ACT).

In his talk with JALLC staff he stated that although the JALLC’s activities are perhaps not a daily focus for HQ Supreme Allied Commander Transformation staff, he recognized the critical role the JALLC plays in developing and improving NATO capabilities and as such highlighted key areas of importance for the JALLC-ACT relationship going forwards including improved prioritization, direction and guidance with regard to the JALLC’s tasked Joint Analysis tasks.

The audience asked DSACT to give his perspective on Supreme Allied Commander Transformation’s (SACT) own key focus areas (Command and Control, Logistics and Sustainment, Training, Partnerships, Manpower, and Capabilities) as stated during a visit by SACT in November last year. Admiral Nielson responded by explaining that he saw the key focus areas as a, Commander’s Intent and that these key focus areas would be expanded upon in due course this year. In this respect DSACT highlighted a couple of the key focus areas including with regard to Logistics and Sustainment; he mentioned the thinking surrounding how the military (in general) will be able to sustain their logistics requirements in the long term and whether industry might have a greater role to play in certain aspects of providing this capability and possible other capabilities in the future.

The visit ended with DSACT thanking the JALLC for its work and contribution to the transformation of the Alliance.