NATO MDO Synchronisation – C2 Implications: How to achieve converging effects in the continuum of competition?
This year’s conference, organised in cooperation with the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre, is titled ‘ NATO MDO Synchronisation – C2 Implications’: How to achieve converging effects in the continuum of competition? An important but complex subject in a time where conditions and requirements change rapidly. This event will take place from 19-21 of November 2024 at the Majoor Jan Linzel Complex – The Hague, The Netherlands.
The objective of the conference is to gain new insights on how the NATO transformation into a Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) enabled Alliance can be further supported from a Command and Control (C2) perspective. An important element is the synchronisation with non-military actions within other Instruments of Power and with external stakeholders. The discussions during the conference will be focused on the C2 implications of synchronisation in support of this NATO transformation.
The NATO C2COE Conference is a high-level event, bringing together military and civilian senior and future leaders of multinational commands and organisations. These leaders will be joined by various subject matter experts with a civilian, academic or industry background. Multiple presentations, interactions and group & panel discussions will allow the expertise and different viewpoints of the participants to create and contribute to a better understanding on how an effective NATO MDO synchronisation can be achieved and how C2 implications are to be managed, in order to achieve the desired converging effects in the continuum of competition.
If you have any questions, require a personal letter of invitation or would like to make a contribution related to this conference, please contact the OPR or DOPR mentioned as Points of Contact.
The NATO C2COE Command and Control Conference 2024 aims to facilitate active engagement and meaningful dialogue among participants. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with senior military and civilian leaders from NATO and various nations. Through lively discussions, insights sharing, and shaping the future of international security, participants will play a key role in advancing collective knowledge. We are looking forward to seeing you in The Hague!
Confirmed Speakers
Dr Dragos Calitoiu received a B.Eng. degree in Pattern Recognition, Image Processing, and Artificial Intelligence from Polytechnical University of Bucharest, Romania, and a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science with a focus on Brain Modelling from Carleton University, Canada. After completing two postdoctoral fellowships, he joined Bank of America in 2008 as a Senior Modeler, where he worked on mathematical modeling for marketing and risk analysis for 8 years. In 2016, he joined the Department of National Defence as a Defence Scientist, leading the Advanced Analytics team and applying machine learning approaches to HR military data. In 2022, he moved to the Centre for Operational Research and Analysis to support joint targeting and command and control capability development.
Roger Lane spent 35 years in the UK Royal Marines and in NATO appointments, from covert counter- terrorism to UK Task Force Commander in Op ENDURING FREEDOM; Commander UK/Netherlands Landing Force; Deputy Commander NRDC-Italy and Deputy Commander Operations in HQ ISAF, where he represented NATO in the Afghan National Security Council and in 3 of the G8 pillars (Disarmament of Illegally Armed Groups; Counter-Narcotics and Afghan National Army Reform) as well as having command of 12000 troops from 37 nations.
He was a NATO Senior Mentor, supporting Operational HQs, for 6 years, as well as deploying as a civilian to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia on capacity-building projects. In Somalia, he was the President’s Senior Security Advisor, where he co-authored its first National Security and Stabilisation Plan and Counter- IED strategy, as well as developing a new indirect fire policy for AMISOM to reduce civilian casualties. Since 2014, he has supported NATO’s JWC to build an OPFOR capability and advises the Centre on exercise design, development and delivery. In conjunction with Calian Europe, he also provides Battle Staff Training support to SHAPE, the JFC’s and other HQs, as well as developing scenarios to address contemporary and future challenges for NATO.
In the commercial part of his business, he focuses on coaching organisational change and leadership development, where he is an accredited facilitator, including in neuro-scienced based profiling and natural linguistics programming tools. His company is offering simulation support to militaries, civil emergency response training and exercises as well as providing rich Information Environments to align words with deeds.
Lieutenant colonel Alastair Luft is the Joint Research and Analysis Branch Head at the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre. An officer in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, he has filled a variety of command and staff positions within both the Canadian Army and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, to include a number of operational deployments. As a Branch Head, Lieutenant-Colonel Luft’s role is to oversee the employment of critical thinking methodologies such as Alternative Analysis and Wargaming, along with research on Command and Control.
Colonel Mietta Groeneveld is the Director of the NATO Command & Control Centre of Excellence (C2COE). The C2COE provides NATO with expertise in Command and Control, currently focusing on the development of NATO Multi-Domain Command and Control, the transformation of operational level headquarters driven by technology and MDO, and the cultural change of future decision makers. Since joining the military in 1986, Colonel Groeneveld has occupied a range of command and staff positions across the technical, operational, and strategic levels. She earned a Master’s degree in Applied Physics and, in 2014, completed both the Canadian National Security Program (NSP6) in Toronto and the EU High-Level Course on Security & Defence. Following these achievements, she has held several positions at the international strategic level. In the immediate aftermath of the Russian invasion of Crimea, she was the Branch Head for Multilateral Military Affairs. She also served as the Netherlands’ representative on the NATO Logistics Committee and the Committee on Standardisation. Furthermore, she was the Chair of the board for the BENELUX Arms Control Agency and the NATO CIMIC COE, as well as a board member for the Strategic Airlift Capability C-17 and the Movement Coordination Centre Europe (MCCE) and Chairmen of AFCEA The Hague. Colonel Groeneveld’s deployments include a 2002 mission to Kyrgyzstan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and a 2017-2018 tour in Afghanistan, where she was CJ4/EF5 of the Training and Advisory Command-North and held the NLD-SNR/red card for the Resolute Support Mission.
Originally from Surrey, British Columbia, and a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, Lieutenant-Colonel Anthony Robb has served in the Canadian Army for 23 years as a Combat Engineer. He deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2006-2007 and 2010-2011. He has held a variety of command and staff positions at 2 CER, 2 CMBG, 32 CER, 32 CBG, RMC, 1 Cdn Div HQ, and 4 Cdn Div. He is currently working as Wargame consultant for the Canadian Department of National Defence
Colonel Yannick Michaud joined the Canadian Armed Forces in Lahr, Germany, in 1993. He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) Kingston in 1998, commissioned Combat Engineer officer. Throughout his career, he occupied several command and staff positions at the tactical, operational and strategic levels in the fields of Combat Engineering, Geospatial Support, Geospatial Intelligence, Counter Improvised Explosive Devices and as a Special Advisor to senior leadership.
He has been posted to 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, 42 Engineer Regiment (British Army), Mapping and Charting Establishment, the Director of Geospatial Intelligence, and Headquarters NATO Rapid Deployable Corps in Istanbul, Turkey, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, and Chief of Programme under the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. Particularly, from 2013 to 2015, he was the Commanding Officer of 5 Combat Engineer Regiment. From 2015 to 2017, he was the Senior Military Advisor to the Deputy Minister. Afterwards, he was posted for two years to the US Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies as a student and then instructor at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From 2019 to 2020, he was Special Advisor to Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command. From 2020 to 2023, he was the Deputy Director General Intelligence Policy & Partnerships and Director Geospatial Intelligence and Human Intelligence Policy at the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command. Finally, he was the Director Strategic Coordination under the Chief of Programme until he took command of the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre in June 2024.
Colonel Michaud has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering from RMC, and three Master’s degrees: Master in Science in Geospatial Information from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom; Master in Defence Studies from RMC; and Master in Arts in Strategic Studies from the US Army Command and General Staff College. He is a graduate of the Canadian Joint Command and Staff Program, the Advanced Strategic Leadership Studies Program from US Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies, and the US Indo-Pacific Command International Intelligence Fellows Program.
Born in Loretteville, Quebec, Major-General Simon Bernard began his military career at the age of 17 at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMCSJ), where he obtained his diploma and Commission in 1993. He served for more than ten years in the 2nd and 3rd Battalion Royal 22e Régiment, namely as Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion Royal 22e Régiment and the Citadelle de Québec from 2010 to 2012.
MGen Bernard participated in three United Nations and NATO Operations abroad. In 1995, he served as platoon commander in Croatia; in 2004, as G5/G3 Plans in the Kabul Multinational Brigade in Afghanistan; and more recently, from October 2009 to September 2010, as J5 of Task Force Kandahar. At home, he deployed on three humanitarian operations: following the Red River floods in Manitoba in 1997, the 1998 Ice Storm in Ontario and during the Montérégie floods in the spring of 2011 where he served as Commanding Officer of the Domestic Task Force.
In his postings outside the Regiment, he has cumulated experience in staff positions, namely in the Command Suite of the Commander Land Force Central Area (LFCA) in Toronto and as Executive Assistant to the Commander of the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land), NATO’s Quick Reaction Brigade, in Heidelberg Germany. He also assumed the responsibilities of G3 of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff Land Strategy at the Army HQ in Ottawa, G3 of 2nd Canadian Division / Joint Task Force (East) and Deputy Director Current Operations at the Strategic Joint Staff. He also commanded the RMCSJ from 2015 to 2017 before being posted as auditor to the 67th Session at the Centre for Advanced Military Studies and the 70th Session at the National Defense Institute of Advanced Studies in Paris, France until June 2018. Upon returning to Canada, he was promoted to Brigadier-General and appointed as CJOC Director General – Plans. In November 2020, he was seconded to the Public Health Agency of Canada as the Chief of Staff, Logistics and Operations within the Vaccine Rollout Task Force, enabling the planning and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across Canada. In August 2021, he is promoted to his current rank and appointed DirectorGeneral Military Personnel – Strategic. In June 2023, he assumes the role of Chief of Staff of the Canadian Joint Operations Command.
Major-General Bernard holds a bachelor’s degree in Administration, a Masters’ degree in War Studies, an Advanced Military Studies diploma from the French War College. He is a graduate from the Joint Command and Staff Program, the French National Defense Institute of Advanced Studies and has completed the United States Capstone Military Leadership program at the US National Defense University
Vice Admiral Jeff Hughes is the Deputy Chief of Staff, Capability Development, Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation, Norfolk, Virginia. He is responsible for developing operational and strategic capability requirements on behalf of 32 North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations.
He is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a 1988 graduate of Duke University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated with distinction from the Naval War College in 2008 receiving a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.
He was designated a naval aviator in September 1989 and has flown MH-60R and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters throughout his career.
His operational assignments include initial squadron and detachment officer-in-charge/department head tours with the Swamp Foxes of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 44 where he deployed on USS Carr (FFG 52), USS Elrod (FFG 55) and USS John Hancock (DD 981), supporting Strike Group deployments with the USS America (CV-66) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). He was named HSL-44 Pilot of the Year and was the co-recipient of the Commanding Officer’s Helmsman Award for calendar year (CY) 1993. He served as the flag lieutenant to Commander, Carrier Group 4, where he embarked all six East Coast aircraft carriers supporting six intermediate and advanced phase strike group underway training (C2X/JTFEX) periods. He served as the executive officer and 14th commanding officer of the Fighting Vipers of HSL-48. He was the Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing (HSM), U.S. Atlantic Fleet recipient of the Navy and Marine Association peer-selected leadership award for CY 2007. Additionally, he served as commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet during a period of significant transition and growth in the HSM community.
His shore staff assignments include: Navy Space Command Detachment Alfa officer-in-charge; assistant aviation captain detailer and HSL/HS Placement officer in Navy Personnel Command (PERS 43); division chief for Africa in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5) of the Joint Staff; and executive assistant to the Director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N98).
As a flag officer, he has served as commander, Navy Recruiting Command; commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2; deputy chief of Naval Personnel/commander, Navy Personnel Command, and most recently as the deputy chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development (N7). While at ESG 2, he was the commander, Task Force (CTF) 189 where he served as the joint force maritime component commander (forward) leading 4,500 Sailors and Marines conducting disaster relief operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico following hurricanes IRMA and MARIA.
Retired US Marine Corps Four-Star General; has led professional military educational programmes, including as Director, Marine Infantry Officer Program and Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Basic School; twice served at the United States Naval Academy, first as Military Instructor and later as Commandant of Midshipmen. Served in command and staff positions in the Marine Corps and the Joint Force, including: Principal Director of Asia-Pacific policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense; commanding 150,000 US and NATO forces in Afghanistan from July 2011 to February 2013; former Commander, NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and US Forces in Afghanistan. Fifteen months as Senior Adviser to the US Secretary of Defense on Middle East Security; then Special Presidential Envoy to the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.
Why you should attend!
Renowned experts from the academic, military, and business spheres will debate in themed panels the challenges and questions raised inside this trifold and how the Alliance and its partners might best evolve and leverage Command and Control capabilities to enhance and sustain NATO’s core tasks.
This is your opportunity to hear from senior military and civilian leaders from across NATO and the nations on these topics of extreme importance and to engage and contribute to a robust discussion to strengthen and enhance the Alliance.
Registration
Registration is open from 5AUG – 14OCT.
* required field
** Cancellation is possible until 1NOV with a refund of your registration fee minus 50 euro cancellation costs.
We are a NATO entity, meaning there is no VAT applicable
MORE INFORMATION
Let us know when you have additional questions or issues regarding the Command and Control Conference 2024
C2COE.Conference@mindef.nl
DOCUMENT DOWNLOADS
Admin information
‘NATO MDO Synchronisation – C2 implications’: How to achieve converging effects in the continuum of competition?’
NATO is transforming into a Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) enabled Alliance. An important element of NATO’s MDO concept is the synchronisation with non-military actions within other Instruments of Power and other non-military actors, like industry, to create converging effects in all dimensions.
A key question will be, “What are the C2 implications?”
To be announced
To have a fruitful meeting about NATO decision-making in the future we require a variety of viewpoints.
Therefore we would like to welcome:
- (Flag-) Officers that organise and execute C2;
- Staff and operators who deal day-to-day with C2 issues;
- Academics and faculty who study and share knowledge on C2;
- Industry specialists with their view on technology.
- Conference: Majoor Jan Linzel Complex (MJLC) – Brasserskade 227A, 2497 NX, Den Haag
- IceBreaker: Plein-Kalvermarktcomplex – Kalvermarkt 32, 2511 CB, Den Haag
- Hosted Dinner: Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De Witte – Plein 24, 2511 CS, Den Haag
Travel arrangements to and from The Hague and the booking of hotel accommodation are the individual responsibility of each participant.
Plane:
If traveling by plane, the recommended airports for arrival are:
- Rotterdam The Hague Airport: Airportplein 60, 3045 AP Rotterdam (NLD), www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl https://goo.gl/maps/7z69vaiYhKrHcX1j8
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: Evert van de Beekstraat 202, 1118 CP Schiphol (NLD), www.schiphol.nl
https://goo.gl/maps/Qt9MWsY1AdasmesW6
Bus transport:
On the 20th and 21st of November, morning bus transportation services will be provided from the city center of The Hague to the MJLC venue. The buses are scheduled to depart from Hofweg 5-7 at 07:50, a location situated in close proximity to Hotel Novotel and other central hotels (approximately a 5-7 minute walk).
In the afternoon, these bus services will be made available for the return journey, transporting attendees from the MJLC venue to the city center of The Hague, which is also the location for the ice-breaker and networking event.
Public Transport:
Public transportation is a convenient option for reaching the MJLC from both Rotterdam-The Hague Airport and Schiphol. To access the MJLC, you can take a train to Delft train station. Subsequently, you can board EBS bus number 60 (destined for Nootdorp) and disembark at the Defensie bus stop. From there, it is a brief 4-minute walk to the seminar location.
For additional details, including timetables and the ability to book train tickets, please visit the following websites: www.ns.nl and/or 9292.nl.
Car:
Arriving by car Navigation address: Brasserskade 227a, 2497 NX, The Hague (GPS: 52.028118, 4.362068). https://maps.app.goo.gl/Av7CNH9vKW45zjQm8
There is free parking (although limited) at the MJLC.
There is sufficient hotel accommodation, both near the MJLC and in the center of The Hague, dependent on individual preferences. Additionally, Dutch military participants have the option of lodging directly at the MJLC.
Hotel Recommendations:
Certainly, here is the formal list with the corresponding contact information:
1. **Moxy The Hague**
Address: Muzentoren Wijnhaven 6, Den Haag
Phone: +31 (0)70 205 1500
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/rtmox-moxy-the-hague/overview/
2. **The Velvet Lodge**
Address: Fluwelen Burgwal 56, Den Haag
Phone: +31 (0)70 217 7078
Website: https://www.thevelvetlodge.com/nl
3. **Mercure Hotel**
Address: Spui 180, Den Haag
Phone: +31 (0)70 363 6700
Website: https://all.accor.com/hotel/1317/index.nl.shtml
4. **Voco The Hague**
Address: Kneuterdijk 8, Den Haag
Phone: +31 (0)70 218 5600
Website: https://www.ihg.com/voco/hotels/gb/en/den-haag/hagdh/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-VX-_-NL-_-HAGDH
5. **Boutique Hotel First City**
Address: Spui 277, Den Haag
Phone: +31 (0)70 205 8121
Website: https://firstcityhotel.com/
6. **Cove Centrum**
Address: Grote Marktstraat 46, Den Haag
Phone: +31 (0)70 701 7110
Website: https://www.staycove.com/en/the-hague/centrum-apartments
7. **Hotel ibis Den Haag City Centre**
Address: Jan Hendrikstraat 10, Den Haag
Phone: +31 (0)70 203 9001
Website: https://all.accor.com/hotel/3701/index.nl.shtml
8. **Novotel Den Haag City Centre**
Address: Hofweg 5-7, Den Haag
Phone: +31 (0)70 203 9003
Website: https://all.accor.com/hotel/1180/index.nl.shtml
9. **Easy Hotel The Hague City Centre**
Address: Parkstraat 31, Den Haag
Phone: +31 (0)70 211 6365
Website: https://www.easyhotel.com/nl/hotels/netherlands/the-hague/the-hague-city-centre
- Conference: Military participants should adhere to the Service Dress code, while civilians are encouraged to smart casual.
- Icebreaker: A smart casual attire is suitable.
- Hosted Dinner/Networking Event: The hosted dinner at “Societeit De Witte” requires attendees to observe either a service dress code or business attire (with tie).
English will be the working language of the conference. Translation services will not be provided.
Please be aware that security measures during the seminar are as follows:
- Photography is not allowed on the military premises, please check with any of the POCs when there is a need to take a photo. Official photo’s, including the group photo, will be published on http://www.c2coe.org
- During the in-processing (registration) you will receive a seminar badge. The badge must be worn visible at all times during the seminar and the icebreaker. Besides that you have to carry a national ID card or passport at all times.
- No supporting materials (e.g. presentations, documents etc.) which you intend to use during the meeting should be over the level of ‘NATO UNCLASSIFIED’. The discussions remain on the level of NATO UNCLASSIFIED.
- Normal Ticket (Military/government organizations): 275 euro incl tax.
- Industry Ticket (Civilian organizations): 975 euro incl. tax.
- Student Ticket (show proof from university): 50 euro incl tax.
