From November 16-20, 2022, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, was in Canada, where he met with Canadian Armed Forces officials and civilian representatives. Admiral Bauer gave a lecture at the Canadian Forces College (CFC), visited Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and observed training activities at 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. He joined Minister of National Defense Anita Anand for the announcement of Canada’s bid for the location of the NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator North American Regional Office for North Atlantic (DIANA).
Beginning his visit with an address to the Joint Command and Staff Program and the National Security Program at CFC, Admiral Bauer discussed the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on European security. Atlantic and the duty of democratic nations to respect international rules based on rules order. He also addressed the explosions in Poland on November 15, 2022. Admiral Bauer stressed that good leadership is a combination of knowledge and character.
On November 17, during his meeting with Canada’s Chief of the Defense Staff, General Eyre, Admiral Bauer highlighted the Alliance’s continued deterrence and defense efforts as well as the initiatives underway to improve the readiness and resilience of national armed forces. “I support the vision of the Canadian Armed Forces with more inclusiveness, transparency and accountability. Having a diverse and inclusive workforce helps ensure success on the battlefield. Essentially, what we do every day at NATO headquarters – bringing 30 nations together and trying to find a common way forward – is not that different from what military leaders do every day with their units. . We wear uniforms not because we believe we’re all the same…or that we should all be the same. We wear a uniform because we believe in the power of the collective. We believe in the power of bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures, with different skill sets…to ensure we get the most out of what they have to offer“said the president.
This was followed by a meeting with the Chief Ethics and Culture Officer, Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan. Their discussions focused on gender issues and culture change within the Canadian Department of National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces. Admiral Bauer commended the Canadian Armed Forces for leading by example in this area and for promoting NATO’s women, peace and security agenda.
Admiral Bauer also visited 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, where he was briefed on ongoing high readiness training and future deployment to NATO Task Force Latvia. He was also able to observe a demonstration of crossing a wet breach by the 2 Combat Engineer Regiment. “Canada Actively Strengthens NATO Deterrence and Defense by Contributing Troops and Leading the Multinational Battle Group in Latvia“, noted the president.
Later, Admiral Bauer joined Defense Minister Anand at Canadian Forces Base Halifax for the announcement of Canada’s offer to host DIANA’s North American regional office in Halifax. “DIANA and the Innovation Fund will help bring together government, industry, innovators and academia across the Alliance to jointly foster the development of breakthrough dual-use solutions,” the Admiral added.
Following the announcement, the President boarded an Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel, one of the specialized vessels used by the Canadian Navy to patrol domestic waters. “The Arctic is strategically relevant to NATO, and with its unique knowledge of the region and its presence there, Canada makes a valuable contribution to NATO’s role in the region. We work together to ensure the Arctic remains free and open,” underscored the President and underscored Canada’s importance to NATO in the Arctic during a conversation with Commander MARLANT, Rear Admiral Brian Santarpia.
This weekend, Admiral Bauer will continue his program at the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum. He will speak during a plenary session on winter resilience.
