German Defence Attaché visit to the JCBRN Defence COE

The German Defence attaché to the Czech Republic, Lieutenant Colonel (G.S.) Holger OSWALD, visited the Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE) on 12 June 2020 in Vyškov. He was accompanied by attaché non-commissioned officer, Master Sergeant Maik HAHN. The visit was hosted by JCBRN Defence COE director, Colonel David MARTÍNEK, and the deputy director, Colonel Wolfgang REICH.

The aim of the visit was to gain awareness of and an overview about the JCBRN Defence COE. Colonel MARTÍNEK briefed on JCBRN Defence COE’s mission, tasks, and structure (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1 - Colonel David Martínek and Colonel Wolfgang Reich welcomed Lieutenant Colonel (G.S.) OSWALD
Fig. 1 - Colonel David Martínek and Colonel Wolfgang Reich welcomed Lieutenant Colonel (G.S.) OSWALD

Colonel REICH complemented these briefs by presenting JCBRN Defence COE’s cooperation with European Union’s institutions. The Attaché’s programme included two presentations on the Operation Support Department’s CBRN Reachback and Modelling & Simulation capabilities and operational support to NATO.

However, information exchange was not the only purpose to justify LtCol OSWALD’s travel to Vyškov. He decorated Colonel Jiří GAJDOŠ with the German Honour Cross. For two years, Colonel GAJDOŠ served as the first chief of the multinational Cluster Support Cell (CSC) of the German-led Framework Nations Concept (FNC) Cluster CBRN Protection. With diligence, discipline, diplomatic skills, and assertiveness, he made a decisive contribution to the success of the FNC Cluster CBRN Protection, which in May 2019 was the first out of 24 FNC clusters to achieve FOC (full operational capability). His outstanding work for the benefit of the German-led FNC Cluster CBRN Protection thus made a decisive contribution to the success and reputation of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Bundeswehr as part of the FNC initiative. (Fig. 2)

Fig. 2 - Lieutenant Colonel (G.S.) OSWALD decorated Colonel (ret.) Jiří Gajdoš with the Honour Cross of the German Bundeswehr
Fig. 2 - Lieutenant Colonel (G.S.) OSWALD decorated Colonel (ret.) Jiří Gajdoš with the Honour Cross of the German Bundeswehr

In the end, LtCol OSWALD appreciated the JCBRN Defence COE’s efforts in the field of CBRN defence and emphasized the importance for Germany being a member of this great organization. (Fig. 3) His Excellency Ambassador Dr Christoph ISRANG tweeted later that his Attaché’s visit highlighted the close Czech-German cooperation in the CBRN defence domain. (Fig. 4)

Fig. 3 - Traditional group photo, presenting all German soldiers deployed to the Czech Republic
Fig. 3 - Traditional group photo, presenting all German soldiers deployed to the Czech Republic
 Fig. 4 - H.E Ambassador Dr Christoph Israng tweeted on the visit
Fig. 4 - H.E Ambassador Dr Christoph Israng tweeted on the visit

Author: Lieutenant Colonel Bernd Allert, Deputy Director/Transformation Support Department Chief/Doctrines & Terminology Section, JCBRN Defence COE, DEU - A

Photos: Lieutenant Colonel Aleš Mylan, Deputy Chief of Staff, JCBRN Defence COE, CZE – A; Mrs. Hana Jurčová, Civ