Photo Information

Danish Gen. Knud Bartels, front left, Chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, briefs a group of students attending the Marine Corps War College at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia Oct. 3, 2014 during his tour of the United States. “The greatest responsibility of the Alliance is to protect and defend our territories and our populations against attack, as set out in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty,” said Bartels. “Our Alliance remains an essential source of stability in this unpredictable world.”

Photo by Sgt. Jose D. Lujano

NATO Chairman visits Marine Corps War College, speaks about future of alliance

14 Oct 2014 | Sgt. Jose D. Lujano The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Danish Gen. Knud Bartels, Chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Military Committee, visited the Marine Corps War College at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia Oct. 3, during his tour of the United States.

“This visit provided a lot of insight to what he does with NATO, the importance of NATO and the current issues NATO is dealing with,” said Lt. Col. Chris Callis, a student of the college.

As the Corp’s senior professional military education institution, the college educates civilian and military professionals in order to develop critical thinkers, military strategists, joint warfighters and strategic leaders.

This prepares them to meet the challenges of a complex and dynamic security environment, grounded in enduring principles and values while adapting to any mission.

“The visit definitely exposed the importance of having a relationship with other countries,” Callis said. “Even though not every country provides the same support we do, but we still fight alongside them because it is important.

“It presents a united front across the world when it comes to NATO’s involvement in operations.”

NATO is devoted to the peaceful resolution of international disputes. If this peaceful means fail, their military capacity is used for crisis-management operations.

“The greatest responsibility of the alliance is to protect and defend our territories and our populations against attack, as set out in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty,” Bartels said. “Our alliance remains an essential source of stability in this unpredictable world.”

NATO currently has 28 members such as Denmark, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The visit also highlighted the NATO agenda after the Wales Summit, which include among the key issues: creating a rapid response force, increased defense spending, education, training, evaluation and exercises, the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the growing instability throughout the world.

Due to Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine, it as fundamentally challenged the vision of a free Europe, whole and at peace, according to General Bartels.

As a result NATO remains the most important transatlantic forum for security consultation and cooperation to avoid conflict with Russia. They will not compromise on principles. NATO will not accept the illegal and aggressive actions undertaken by Russia, according to Bartels.

NATO has currently increased its assurance measures in Eastern Europe.

“The deployment of U.S. troops and the ‘Ironhorse,’ armored cavalry unit, to the three Baltic States and Poland is a clear demonstration of solidarity and assurance that allies deploy air, land and maritime assets in meaningful military activity in the eastern part of the Alliance,” Bartels said. “Therefore, NATO air patrols over the Baltic will continue, naval deployments in the Baltic and Black Sea will continue, and rotation of forces throughout Eastern Europe for exercises will continue for as long as needed.”

The visit focused on the students so they could have a strong idea of NATO’s current conflicts and its future.

“History has taught us again and again that the bond between Europe and North American is indispensable,” said Bartels.