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DEIDESHEIM, Germany — Senior logistics leaders from 25 countries gathered to share ideas for improving support during exercises, contingencies or operations during the annual National Territorial Commanders Committee meeting May 18 to 20 in Deidesheim, Germany.
The NTCC is a multinational organization with representation throughout the European theater and is intended to help coordinate and deconflict host nation support and movement of military personnel, equipment and cargo across international borders.
This year, the committee celebrated 30 years of sharing information and discussing ways to streamline host-nation support between member countries in an effort to become the leading multinational military network for responsive host-nation support.
Presentations and discussion included different modes of movement around Europe, the friction that can occur when processes are not standardized, and even cyberthreats to the logistics mission.
“This has been a great exchange of views, experience and lessons learned from each country,” said Col. Erwin Hoogland, NTCC representative from Netherlands. “Especially with host-nation support, the challenge is to find common ground between the nations to make it as easy as possible to not lose time, capacity or capability.”
With nearly two-thirds of the committee members new to the NTCC, simply meeting their counterparts was a major point of interest for many.
“This is the first conference I’ve attended,” said Slovenian army Capt. Peter Casar. “I will be a new representative to the NTCC steering committee. It’s good to hear the points of contact and key personnel. If you have an issue, you know who to contact in the host nations. It’s easier if you know their face and have a history.”
In addition to meeting new faces on the committee, two nations, Portugal and Norway, joined the NTCC this year.
While NTCC members attempt to enhance NATO integration with allies and partner forces, it is not an official NATO organization. Instead, it is an informal organization that can focus its efforts on host-nation support. The relationships built by the committee help each of the countries involved by providing ease of movement and a measure of security for those nations involved.
“We are grateful for the host-nation support provided by all your countries,” said Maj. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, 21st Theater Sustainment Command commanding general, while speaking to the members. “I fully realize that it is a mutually beneficial arrangement, but you allow the U.S. Army in Europe to do more than it could do on its own.
“It’s been enjoyable for me professionally and enjoyable for me personally, but being intriguing and being enjoyable doesn’t pay the bills.” Gamble said in his closing remarks. “I realize that it really does cost you and your countries time and money to be a part of this. Your commitment is meaningful.”
At the conclusion of the second day of the meeting Gamble, who served as the chairman of the NTCC for the last year, passed the gavel on to Austrian Brig. Gen. Robert Brieger, expressing his confidence that the committee’s momentum will continue.
For more information on the NTCC, visit https://wss.apan.org/s/NTCC.
