US visit to NATO MW COE: Advancing US Cooperation in Mountain Warfare

On 13 August 2024, LTC Daniel Mayeda, the US Defense Attaché in Ljubljana, visited the NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence (NATO MW COE) accompanied by a delegation from the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC). The visit aimed to enhance US-NATO MW COE collaboration in strengthening Mountain Warfare (MW) capabilities across the Alliance.

The visit began with a comprehensive presentation of the NATO MW COE, where LTC Mayeda and the ODC delegation were introduced to the Centre’s core missions, ongoing projects and strategic objectives. The discussions highlighted past achievements and upcoming events, with an emphasis on the Centre’s recent publications. One of the primary topics was the implementation of NATO’s tactical considerations and MW regulations into the national regulations of member countries. This is a critical step to ensure a common understanding of tactical considerations in MW operations.

The discussions underscored the importance of defining general principles, standardizing terms, and recognizing the special features of operations in mountainous terrains. These efforts are pivotal for enhancing interoperability within NATO forces operating in MW environments. Additionally, the COE’s role in training and providing suitable, interoperable individuals and units for NATO-led missions in mountainous regions was also emphasized.

Strengthening US-NATO MW COE cooperation

During the visit, discussions highlighted key areas of cooperation, including:

• Lessons Learned (LL) Conferences: Jointly analyzing past operations to improve future MW missions.
• Mountain Warfare Exercises and Training: Coordinating US and NATO forces to enhance readiness and interoperability in mountainous terrains.
• Historical DDA-related Staff Rides and Battlefield Tours: Using historical insights to inform current and future MW strategies.
• Staff Planning Courses: Developing joint planning capabilities for MW operations.
• The possibility of US full membership in the NATO MW COE.
• Building WG Design Capabilities.

Conclusion

The visit underscored the importance of the ongoing US-NATO MW COE collaboration in Mountain Warfare. LTC Mayeda and the ODC delegation offered strong support for these initiatives, reinforcing their commitment to advancing the MW COE’s mission and bolstering NATO’s overall MW capabilities.