Brunssum: many nations, one mission

General Lieutenant Fernando Alejandre (Madrid, 1956). As as Colonel, he commanded the 12th Engineer Regiment in Zaragoza and Deputy Chief of Staff, Opertations at Spanish Army. He assumed the duties of Deputy Chief of Staff, Support (later Resources) in SHAPE in September 2012 and assumed the duties of Deputy Commander, Joint Forces Command Brunssum on October 2015.
You are the first Spanish military to take this DCOM seat; I gather it is a huge responsability...  
Indeed. We have to consider that this position has been assigned to Spain thanks to the work of hundreds of officials, NCO´s and troops in different NATO destinations. They have confirmed the reputation of the Spanish Armed Forces. All this has made posible to have a Spanish General as Deputy Commander.  
What are your goals as JFC Brunssum DCOM?
My individual goals are the same as the goals of any Spanish serviceman and servicewoman to whom a mission is assigned: to fulfill the mission representing Spain the best way posible. In this particular case, to clearly show at the NATO Command Structure, the Spanish Armed Forces professionalism and committment of our homeland to the Alliance. At the same time, to enhance, insofar as I am able, its well-earned reputation.  
Your relation with NATO is not new. In fact, you were assigned to SHAPE previously. What is our Allies' insight of the Spanish Army?
The percepetion that our allies have of the Spanish Army is based on the knowledge and understanding they have of our colleagues based abroad and also on the reputation reached by our Spanish units and HQs during the exercise 'Trident Juncture' 15. Most recently, the degree of efficiency and professionalism shown by the NATO (HQ NRDC-ESP) in Bétera, Valencia, and the 7th 'Galicia' BRILAT (Light Infantry Brigade) as the essential core of the VJTF16 (Very High Readiness Joint Task Force). I can assure that it is a completely renowned prestige by our Allies and there is no doubt on their part of the Spanish commitment to NATO. They also know that our limitations, in terms of material and military personnel, are product of the economic situation of our time.
Both, SHAPE and JFC Brunssum, are examples of the eminently joint character of NATO structures.
The job in a multinational environment requires adaptation but with the flexibility based on expertise, loyalty and discipline that defines the Spanish Army, the adaptation is a matter of just learning new missions and tasks and different battle rhythms.
JFC Brunssum plays an important role in the 'Resolute Support' operation. Now, 15yrs after 9/11, do you NATO has achieved the goals set in Afghanistan?
The situation in Afghanistan is certainly complex and often the mass media emphasize what goes wrong. However, I believe the progress is sustained and we are getting closer to what was established as final goal. There will be bad moments but, if the nations are able to keep being persistent, we will accomplish the mission and achieve success. 

«The flexibility of the Spanish Army is based on expertise, loyalty and discipline.»

Can you describe what is the Readiness Action Plan (RAP) and its importance?
The RAP gathers the actions to be accomplished so the JFC Brunssum can be in permanent readiness to take action in any type of operation and any threat either in the East, South or far away from the border of the protected countries under the NATO article 5. This has been ordered by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe - or SACEUR -. The RAP is an allied attempt to greatly improve our efficiency and our responsiveness.  That is why Brunssum HQ makes enormous efforts to enhance its efficiency and to be always ready to change into a Joint Task Force HQ; deployed or on-site, depending on the circumstances and the mission assigned.
JFC Brunssum also leads the 2016 NATO Response Force (NRF) in which, for the first time, the VJTF has become a reality. How are you experiencing that reality?
The lead of the NRF 16 by this HQ presents a challenge and an honor. In my case, it is even greater since it is a VJTF which essential core is made up of the HQ NRDC-ESP and the Spanish BRILAT. The Spanish Army has shown one more time its perfect skills and its response capacity to the commitments undertaken. It is not easy to be prouder than I was when I saw our colleagues deploy in Poland last May. 

«I believe we are getting closer to what was established as final goal in Afghanistan»

The exercise 'Brilliant Jump' took place over there. What was your impression?
To see Spanish men and women deployed in Polish operations areas as NATO spearhead was an important driver for an old soldier. However, the most important incentive was to verify that my personal impression was shared by all of our allies, starting with Commander JFC Brunssum, Army General Farina and following with many public and private awards during 2 months for the effort made in the deployment and the brilliant expertise shown by our comrades.