Vice Admiral Simon Asquith CB OBE, Chief of Staff to HQ Supreme Allied Command Transformation (COS HQ SACT), recently made his first official visit to the JALLC in Lisbon, Portugal.

The visit began with an office call with the JALLC’s Commander, Commodore António Neves Correia and Chief of Staff Colonel Nuno Lopes, followed by a tailored briefing on the Centre’s activities, internal structure, and key processes. The briefing provided Vice Admiral Asquith with insights into the JALLC’s role within NATO, highlighting ongoing projects, the Programme of Work, and the JALLC- Ukraine Initiative’s contributions to the Alliance.

Recognizing the importance of institutional learning and continuous improvement, COS HQ SACT engaged in discussions on how NATO can further benefit from the JALLC’s analysis and expertise. In particular, the Vice Admiral Asquith had expressed an interest in better understanding some of the challenges faced by the JALLC in executing is mission, such as ensuring Alliance-wide leadership engagement in Lessons Learned and improving NATO staff’s Lessons Learned mindset in general. CO HQ SACT acknowledged these challenges and affirmed his support to the JALLC’s efforts to improve NATO’s LL Capability

Vice Admiral Asquith then proceeded to the JALLC Auditorium, where he addressed all JALLC personnel. In his remarks, he expressed his appreciation for the Centre’s crucial work in support of NATO and acknowledged the dedication and professionalism of its staff. He underscored the value of the JALLC’s contributions to strengthening the Alliance and enhancing its operational effectiveness.

To conclude his visit, Vice Admiral Asquith signed the JALLC’s "Book of Honor," marking the occasion and reaffirming his support for the Centre’s mission.

His visit reinforced the significance of the JALLC’s role in NATO’s Lessons Learned Process and demonstrated HQ SACT’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the Alliance.