Issue Nr. 1 March 2006 - NATO School

Issue Nr. 1 

March 2006

From the Editor 

Dear reader, 

Here is the new Eagle Community Bulletin. 

It has been some time since the last edition 

but this has its reasons. This bulletin shows 

you what goes on in the NATO School 

Community and what kind of events are 

planned for you to take place in the near 

future. 

I just returned from a mission to a land 

without snow, and I am to deploy for an area 

where there is only snow. During one of my 

‘Stammtisch’ gatherings with locals, they 

informed me that this winter is one of the 

extremist since many years: there has been 

snow on the ground since 16 November 

2005 and this has not melted away in 

between times of heavy snowfall, and 

therefore this is an exceptional winter. 

NATO School 

Community Bulletin March 2006 Edition 

Congratulations go to German Private Alexander Albrecht who was 

recently promoted by Col Vitzthum (right) to Private First Class. Col 

Vitzthum was assisted by TSgt Lamprecht (left). 

There will be enough snow for the Laber Ski Club down hill competition and the organizers hope to see a lot 

of participants in the various categories. The Commandant hopes to see a lot of people who do not ski too, 

but are at the competition area to participate in the ‘Esprit de Corps’ day and cheer the participants in the 

races. Unfortunately I do not participate in the snowboard slalom race since I will take a group of ‘flatlanders’ 

from the Netherlands to a winter expedition in the Dolomites. 

Enjoy reading this bulletin! 

Sjon Selles 

The next issue of the 

Eagle Community Bulletin 

will be published in May 2006 

Please submit your articles to PAO 

Before 21 April 2006 

for the next issue 

On the cover: 

General Lance L. Smith, USA AF, during his 

speech to the NATO School permanent staff in 

the ‘Manfred Woerner Hall’ on Monday 13 

February 2006. Photo by SGM Klimek, PAO 

Community Bulletin 

Publishers 

Col Mark P. Sullivan, USA AF 

Col (GS) Wilhelm Bernhard Vitzthum, DEU AF 

Editor 

SM Sjon Selles, NLD AF 

Contributors to this edition: 

Col Sullivan, LTC Ive, Wg Cdr Payne, Cpt Lau, 

Mr. Isherwood, Mandy Payne, SM Selles, 

Owen Payne and many others. 

How to contact us: 

Phone: 08822-9481-1054 or 1052 

Fax: 08822-9481-1996 

Email : ALL_PAO@natoschool.nato.int 

Public Affairs Office 

Am Rainenbichl 54 

82487 Oberammergau 

The views expressed in the Eagle Community Bulletin are the 

sole responsibility of the authors. Acceptance of material does 

not guarantee publications. The editor reserves the right to edit 

and shorten all material submitted. No liability is accepted for 

the validity of articles, announcements or advertising published.

From the Commandant 

The past few months have gone by very quickly and 

we have achieved a lot since the beginning of 2006. 

A special warm welcome for our Deputy 

Commandant, Colonel (GS) Wilhelm Bernhard 

Vitzthum, who is performing brilliantly in his new and 

complex job. 

Besides running our regular course programme we 

successfully hosted the Defense Planning 

Symposium with a lot of high level guest speakers. 

During the Defense Planning Symposium we were 

able to listen to Ambassador Victoria Nuland from 

NATO HQ and General Sir John Reith, the Deputy 

Supreme Allied Commander Europe. 

Many important visitors passed through the School 

since the beginning of this year. We were honoured 

to receive Minister Cetin, the highest NATO Civilian 

Representative in Afghanistan and the visit of the 

Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, 

General Lance Smith, our former Commandant, who 

was greatly pleased with the work you do and 

progress the School has made over the last 14 

years. He truly believes that what we teach is 

extremely valuable to the Alliance and its ongoing 

transformation. Thanks to everyone for putting our 

best foot forward. 



The NATO School is a great social atmosphere in 

addition to our outstanding work climate. The 

Northern Bivouac was a great success. Thanks to 

all the nations and personnel for this great event. 

Also, the Kofel Golf Society had a warm up event for 

the upcoming season. They traveled to Milan for a 

weekend of golf. According to SM Selles, “there is a 

land without snow.” In Oberammergau, we 

sometimes forget this. 

Congratulations to Specialist Carrie Marbury and 

Staff Sergeant Christopher Upeslacis who were 

selected to be the NATO School Junior and Senior 

Enlisted Service Member of the Year 2005. 

We are very happy for Staff Sergeant Christopher 

Upeslacis who was selected as the Supreme Allied 

Command Transformation Military Member of the 

Year 2005. As SSgt Upeslacis stated, “it is a good 

thing for the NATO School too, because we haven’t 

been a member of ACT very long, and this puts us 

on the map.” 

Thanks to everyone for your hard work and 

dedication in the execution of the NATO School 

mission. 

Colonel Mark Sullivan 

“Congratulations and welcome back!” Colonel Vitzthum and Colonel Sullivan with SSgt Upeslacis


Community Bulletin March 2006 Edition

NATO School NCO selected as 2005 

ACT Military Member of the Year 

By PO Second Class Tyce Velde 

ACT Public Information Office 

NORFOLK, Va. – During a ceremony at the Supreme 

Allied Commander Transformation Headquarters, 

senior enlisted members from throughout ACT 

announced their selection for the Military Member of the 

Year for 2005. US Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher 

Upeslacis from the NATO School in Oberammergau, 

Germany edged out his competitors in an extremely 

tight competition, said U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer 

Douglas Halay, from the office of SACT Representative 

to Europe, one of the board members judging the 

competition. He also received at Joint Service 

Commendation Medal. “It was really hard to choose a 

candidate,” said Halay. “It was really close, but when it 

came down to it, he just kept his poise all week long. 

His presentation and his answers were very 

professional. He’s an ideal representative for ACT.” 

Seven candidates took part in a weeklong competition, 

during which they were judged on their professionalism, 

military bearing and character and social skills by ACT 

senior enlisted leaders. The candidates gave 

presentations, attended social events and were 

interviewed by the board members. This is the first time 

the competition has been held at the Supreme Allied 

Commander Transformation headquarters in Norfolk, 

Va. The candidates were Danish Navy Cpl. Søren 

Boeriis, from STRE in Brussels, Belgium; German Army 

Staff Sgt. Martin Bonczek, from the Joint Warfare 

Centre in Stavanger, Norway; U.S. Navy Petty Officer 

First Class Terry Cerami, from Staff Element Europe in 

Brussels, Belgium; Belgian Army Master Sgt. August 

DeCraecker, from the Joint Forces Training Centre in 

Bydgoszcz, Poland; Canadian Army Sgt. Todd Grant, 

from SACT HQ; Sr. Cpl. David Peixoto, from the Joint 

Analysis Lessons Learned Centre in Lisbon, Portugal 

and Upeslacis. 

“The people here before you are what I call the best of 

the best,” said Deputy Supreme Allied Commander 

Transformation British Royal Navy Adm. Sir Mark 

Stanhope. “Not only that, but when I got here four 

years ago, it was predominately Navy. Now we have 

representatives from all branches and nations. It’s truly 

a combined and joint atmosphere.” 

Holding the competition at the headquarters gives the 

candidates a unique opportunity to meet, in person, 

members from the different commands, said U.S. Navy 

Master Chief Steven Wacker, ACT Command Master 

Chief. “This is the first time they’ve come here,” he 

added. “It allows people who have never come here a 

chance to visit and see how the headquarters actually 

works. They get a first-hand view of this command and 

an opportunity to interact with our staff.” Though many 

of the personnel from different ACT commands in 

Portugal, Norway, Germany, Poland and Belgium work 

together via email and telephone, this is a unique 

opportunity to meet some of them in person, said 



Cerami. “It’s nice to put a face to the names we see in 

email and the people I talk to on the phone,” said 

Cerami. “I work with people in the headquarters often, 

but it’s different to physically be here, and say hello and 

shake their hand.” SSgt Upeslacis was stunned by his 

selection. The competition was so close, he said, that 

no one knew going into the ceremony who would 

receive the award. “It feels very different,” he said. “The 

competition was extremely high. It really could have 

been any one of us. I didn’t expect to win it. It’s a good 

thing, for the NATO School, too, because we haven’t 

been a member of ACT very long, and this puts us on 

the map.” Admiral Stanhope congratulated not only 

Upeslacis, but the other six candidates, and the 

candidates for the individual commands’ competitions. 

The non-commissioned officers throughout NATO are 

such high calibre, anyone selected for the MMOY 

competition deserves congratulations, he said. “We 

haven’t had to work hard across ACT to pull out talent,” 

he added. “There’s a sea of it out there. It makes me 

enormously proud to be the deputy commander of this 

organisation.” 

Admiral Stanhope congratulates SSgt Upeslacis 

StFw Jochen Zimmermann (member of the Senior 

Elisted NCO Board), Staff Sergeant Chris Upeslacis 

with his wife Sabine Neuner and Cpt Scott Anderson.

Colonel Sullivan bids farewell to Wing Commander Tim 

Payne and thanked him for all he has done for the NATO 

School. In his speech Colonel Sullivan also mentioned the 

important work done by Wg Cdr Payne’s wife Mandy who 

arranged a lot for the non English speaking community 

members as well as for thir children who go to German 

schools. Wg Cdr Payne and his family will be posted to Izmir, 

Turkey, where, according to him, he will have a chance to 

concentrate on other outdoor activities, when time permits…. 

Colonel (GS) Vitzthum (left) bids farewell to Corporal Enrico 

Ehrenpfort and his wife Nancy and thanked Enrico for all the 

accident free missions he completed for the NATO School. 

. 



LTC Arne Knapskog proudly shows the box that holds 

the official new NATO School tie. This tie was 

presented to all Senior National Representatives 

present during the last Hail & Farewell party. It is 

planned that all members of the NATO School 

permanent staff will receive this tie. 

All photos by SPC Bill Good, PAO 

Colonel Sullivan also bid farewell to Lieutenant Colonel Walt 

Parker, CJ-4 who will be posted back to the US 

Colonel Sullivan bids farewell to CPL Mathias Ahrens and his 

family and thanked him for representing the NATO School in 

the first ACT Military Member of The Year Award Competition.


Commandant 

SUBJECT: NATO School (NS) 2005 Fourth Quarter and End of Year Situation Report 

3980.1.3/NS/CMDT/06/mp/hb 

6 January 2006 

1. Purpose: This report provides the Commandant’s assessment, a summary of the quarterly 

statistics, activities, issues, and a projection for the upcoming quarter. 

2. Commandant’s Assessment: This has been a record breaking year for the NATO School (NS) 

in conducting academic programmes in support of the operational and transformational needs of the 

Alliance. Our focus for this past year has been to manage the growth and demand in order to reach 

attendance goals for our expanded facilities. The NS has now passed the 10,000 mark in attendance. 

3. Quarterly Overview: 

a. Statistics: 2004 2005 

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total 

Resident NATO Students 1824 1561 1302 1375 6062 1943 1774 1421 1754 6892 

Resident Non-NATO Students 365 221 179 256 1021 283 331 276 365 1255 

Total Resident Students 2189 1782 1481 1631 7083 2226 2105 1697 2119 8147 

METT Students 0 98 0 227 325 249 164 0 337 750 

Total Students 2189 1880 1481 1585 7408 2475 2269 1697 2456 8897 

Conference Attendees 834 543 188 102 1667 623 536 143 188 1490 

Total 3023 2423 1669 1960 9075 3098 2805 1840 2644 10387 

Cumulative 3023 5446 7115 9075 3098 5903 7743 10387 

b. Academic Initiatives: 

1) Transformational Content: The NS programme contributes broadly to the Strategic 

Commands’ (SC) efforts in operationally-focused education and transformation. All 83 courses 

include some form of an introduction to transformation. At a more advanced level, approximately 50 

percent of our courses address the major concepts and capabilities in NATO’s framework for 

transformation. Additionally, we have developed several initiatives that will increase our future 

contribution: the creation of a Department of Standards, Enhancements and Transformation; the 

distribution of transformation-related materials to all of our students as takeaways; the expansion of 

our Advance Distributed Learning programme; the adoption of ACT transformation induction training 

for NS faculty; the linkage of course objectives to the seven Transformational Objective Areas (TOAs); 

and the on-going assessment and revision of our transformation-related course content to ensure 

currency and relevancy. 

2) Record Attendance: Overall attendance in 2005 has reached the record level of 

10,387. While our new facilities may accommodate higher attendance, current NS personnel levels 

limit further growth of attendance and courses. Therefore, in 2006 NS will focus on qualitative 

improvements and enhancements to its programme, while continuing to seek an increase to its 

manning, primarily through Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs). 

3) Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL): ADL development at the NS has 

significantly progressed in 2005, which focused on pre-learning packages, providing baseline 

knowledge in preparation for resident courses. Twenty one ADL modules are currently on-line and 

five modules are planned for development in 2006, while existing modules will be updated. 

c. Board of Advisors (BOA): Key issues were discussed at the BOA in Oberammergau in 

December: 


82487 Oberammergau – Germany - Internet: www.natoschool.nato.int 

E-Mail: commandant@natoschool.nato.int - Tel.:+49 8822 9481 1000 Fax:+49 8822 93070

1) BOA Chairman directed NS to submit requirements for NATO Peacetime 

Establishment (PE) through ACT in the upcoming PE review. These will be NATO positions “assigned 

for duty at the NS.” These would constitute NATO PE, not NS PE, with the criteria for their 

establishment being that they serve NATO-specific requirements, such as a HQ SACT Liaison Officer 

NATO, a CRONOS administration and support section, a PfP Funding Manager, and a Public Affairs 

officer. 

2) NS requested that the Board help in enforcing strict adherence to ACT Directive 

75-3 which governs curriculum development. There have been a number of proposals for courses at 

NS that are not being developed in accordance with ACT Dir 75-3 and the systems approach to 

education and training. The board concurred. 

3) PfP Training and Education Centres (PTCs) were discussed as a means of 

supporting NATO’s training and education requirements and as augmentation to the NATO Education 

and Training Facilities (NETFs). It was agreed that NS would continue to play the primary role in 

operational-level education and training. However, HQ SACT/JET would investigate the use of PTCs 

for those requirements in which they are uniquely qualified. 

4) There remains the unresolved issue of the Combined Joint Operations Task Force 

(CJTF) courses being conducted at various HQs. This has led to duplication of effort and resources, 

discrepancies in the SCs’ terms of reference, and a potential divergence of NATO CJTF doctrine and 

concept. NS proposed that either the CJTF courses be conducted at NS, with the support of the 

Operational and Component Commands, or NS should cancel its current CJTF course to avoid 

redundancy. The BOA agreed to investigate the options and to coordinate with commands. 

5) Each course at NS is supported by an Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) from 

one of the NATO Strategic, Operational, or Component Commands. The OPR serves the key function 

of providing oversight of the course in partnership with the NS Course Director. The BOA discussed 

the disproportional burden this has placed on the SC staffs, as a result of the growth in courses. 

Consensus was reached that OPRs remain essential to the courses, but the OPR duties should be 

distributed more equitably amongst the various commands. 

6) As directed, the NS will initiate a systematic review of its entire curriculum to 

assess the military, political and economic value of each of its courses. The results will be provided to 

the BOA in June 2006, along with specific recommendations for tailoring the content to best serve the 

Alliance. 

d. Mobile Education Training Teams (METTs): 

1) SHAPE sponsored the first-ever Russian METT at the School. It was conducted 

by high-level speakers from the General Staff Academy and the Combined Arms Academy of the 

Russian Armed Forces. The purpose of this one-week course was to share the functional aspects of 

NATO and Russian military operations with operational planners. 

2) The NS also deployed three METTs in Lille, France; Tirana, Albania; and Minsk, 

Belarus. These METTs filled specific training needs in those countries for 337 students in the areas of 

NATO operational planning, NATO orientation and crisis management. 

e. Support to NATO Operations and Exercises: 

1) Iraqi Out-of-Country Training: The Iraqi out-of-country training programme 

continues to be a top priority for the NS. This quarter, 87 students from Iraq attended 3 different 

courses. This makes 283 students in 13 different courses for all of 2005. In addition to the academic 

content, students benefited from their exposure to Western culture and interaction in a multinational 

environment. 

2) International Security Assistance Force (ISAF): NS has provided instructional 

support for Key Leader Training and Mission Specific Training for the SEEBRIG Kabul Multinational 

Brigade. In the medium-term, in coordination with JFTC and JWC, the NS is developing three-day 

instructional modules to train ISAF augmentees. In the longer-term, the NS proposes to offer resident 

training and educational support to nationally-sponsored Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs).

3) VIKING 2005: NS has provided significant support to Exercise VIKING 05, a 

Modelling and Simulation PfP exercise which focuses on PSO and which aims to enhance the conduct 

of Joint operations. 

f. Supporting and Guest Speakers: Reductions in manpower and operational tempo 

continue to limit the ability of headquarters to provide speakers to support NS courses. NS remains 

within agreed limits governing the number of supporting speakers provided from SHAPE, in 

accordance with SHAPE-NATO School MOA. 

g. Personnel: 

1) Deputy Commandant Change of Command: On 15 Dec 2005, the Commander of 

the German Armed Forces Office, Rear Admiral Diehl conducted the Change of Command Ceremony 

for NS Deputy Commandant, transferring German command from Colonel (GS) Gerhard Schepe 

(DEU-A) to Colonel (GS) Wilhelm Vitzthum (DEU-AF). Cdre Borck (DNK-N) and BGen Abols (LIT-A) 

represented SACT. 

2) CIS Manning: Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) completed an 

assessment of NS CIS infrastructure and personnel, citing serious personnel shortages and training 

deficiencies. The DISA findings were briefed to DACOS JET at the BOA. NS is taking action to 

address the reported shortcomings, including the investigation of a limited NATO PE assigned to NS 

(para 3.c.1 above). 

3) Voluntary National Contributions (VNCs): In order to meet rising bids and to 

support increasing education and training requirements, the School continues to pursue additional 

VNCs, especially from the newer NATO members. Commitments from Estonia and Latvia did not 

materialise last summer as expected. Specific functional areas that remain undermanned, include 

logistics, intelligence, Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL), modelling & simulations, CIS, public 

information, Course Administrators (OR 4-7), and security. These shortfalls impact our ability to run 

concurrent courses and meet rising demands. NS anticipates the following arrivals in the beginning of 

2006: a Lithuanian Course Administrator (OR-5), an Arms Control expert from the US Defense Threat 

Reduction Agency, and two additional personnel from ACO Counter Intelligence. 

h. Force Protection: In accordance with the Support Agreement signed in September 2004, 

the US Installation Management Agency in Europe (IMA-E) assumed responsibility for NS force 

protection. Among other enhancements, the new guard contract now provides expanded coverage of 

our non-contiguous facilities. This increase in guard forces now places a higher importance on filling 

the unmanned position of Deputy Director for Security. 

i. Engineering and Housing: There are a number of projects in work at the NS designed to 

increase operational capability and quality of life. The highest priority project is the renovation of 

building 617, which will support the Operational Planning Courses, ADL and Modelling & Simulation. 

In October 2005, the first phase “O” meeting for the renovation of building 617 was conducted with the 

NATO Capability Package Coordinating Officer (CAPCO), MOD Germany, German Federal 

Construction Office, architects, and the NS. Three renovation alternatives were discussed with cost 

estimates ranging between 4.7M and 5.2M euro. The final decision is expected to be made in early 

spring 2006. Additionally, NS will work in consultation with USJFCOM as this project develops to 

ensure compatibility and the leveraging of key capabilities. 

4. 1st Quarter 2006 Forecast: With this past year firmly established as a record year, next 

quarter’s focus will be on maintaining our support to the Strategic Commands, while improving the 

quality of our academic programmes. 

a. The NS will continue to directly support the educational and training needs of NTM-I. The 

number of Iraqis attending NS courses in 2006 will remain similar to 2005. 

b. The NS will expand support to the ISAF mission to meet NATO’s increasing educational 

requirements. 

c. The NS is preparing to assist NATO’s mission to the African Union Force HQ in Sudan 

during 2006. The School will provide Course Directors and instructors for staff capacity-building 

workshops which are expected to be taught in four, one-week instructional blocks in Sudan.

d. The NS is currently governed by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that dates back to 

1975. In the first half of 2006 the vested parties (ACT, DEU, USA) will begin the formulation of a new 

MOA. 

e. The NS will implement ADL as a hard requirement for many of its courses. With our new 

computer configured classrooms on line, individuals that have not completed the ADL pre-learning at 

their home station will do so at the NS the day preceding the start of their course. 

f. The annual Defence Planning Symposium and PfP Symposium will take place from 16-18 

Jan and 19-20 Jan respectively. 

g. The NATO Senior Officer Policy Course (OF5-OF8) will take place 20-24 Feb. 

5. Summary: The NS continues support SACT’s transformation efforts and SACEUR’s operations 

as it provides education and training programmes that directly contribute to operational readiness, 

interoperability, ongoing operations, and future capabilities. 

Very Respectfully, 

// SIGNED // 

MARK P. SULLIVAN 

Colonel, United States Air Force 

Commandant 

This is what you can get after a hard week in the office and getting up just a little earlier on a Saturday 

morning : whilst people of Oberammergau were still shovelling snow on 11 February 2006, Lisa 

Lischka, Tania Geiß and Sjon Selles enjoy a comfortable chairlift which took them up to 2700 meters. 

It allowed them to enjoy spectacular views over the Nauders ski slopes and the surrounding Alpine 

mountains, even into Italy. Thanks to the Laber Ski Club which makes trips like these possible!

Friday 10 March 2006 


Slalom Ski Competition 

and 

‘Esprit de Corps’ Day 

Perhaps it will be the free Glühwein, or maybe the 

chance to out-ski the Commandant - all the 

ingredients will be there to make this year’s NATO 

School Slalom Ski Competition a huge success. 

The Laber Ski Club will host the competition on 

Friday 10 March. The Commandant has decreed 

that the Friday will be a NATO School ‘esprit de 

corps’ day and all NATO School personnel not on 

essential duty and their families are invited to take 

part or come and watch. 

The races will start at 1030 hrs and registration 

will be at the finish line tent above the ‘Wank Alm’ 

on the Oberammergau ski slopes. A reduced rate 

lift pass has been negotiated for all individuals 

displaying a race bib. 

Individuals will be allowed two attempts in each 

race category entered – their best time will count. 

Practise runs will be permitted only if no 

competitor is waiting to start a timed run. 

The last run will be at 1615 hrs. 



Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: 

• Children’s Slalom – combined under 10 yrs; 

• Young people’s Slalom – combined under 16 yrs; 

• Novice Slalom – combined event for individuals 

who have only started skiing this season; 

• Intermediate Women’s Slalom; 

• Intermediate Men’s Slalom; 

• Veteran Slalom – combined event for individuals 

over 50 yrs old; 

• Expert Slalom – combined event for individuals 

who: regularly enter race competitions, are ski 

instructors or individuals who achieved a place of 

1 st , 2 nd or 3 rd in last year’s intermediate event; 

• Snow Board – combined young people under 16 

yrs event 

• Snow Board – combined men & women’s event 

An entry fee of € 2.50 will be charged for 

individuals who are not members of the Laber Ski 

Club, to cover the costs of trophies and 

refreshments. 

A bar will be available selling beer, soft drinks and 

pretzels – hot gluwein will be available from 

lunchtime. 

The results will be announced and certificates and 

trophies will be awarded at the Après Ski Party in 

the NRC Blue Crest Lounge on Friday 10 th March 

commencing at 1800 hrs. 

Our two resident experts, Toby Streibl and Joe 

Isherwood, have agreed to provide race training 

on the afternoons of 1 st , 3 rd and 8 th of March to 

give that extra edge to those vying for a place in 

the medals. Please contact Joe direct if you are 

interested. 

Warm regards, 

Tim Payne 

President, Laber Ski Club

Laber Ski Club 

By Tim Pane 

President, LSC 

The Laber Ski Club’s purpose is to enhance the 

morale, welfare and recreational opportunities of 

permanently assigned personnel (military and 

civilian) and family members during the ski 

season by scheduling and sponsoring ski trips 

and ski related activities. In conjunction with the 

Morale Welfare Activities Advisory Council, the 

Club has historically offered two ski trips a month 

to a wide range of resorts in Austria, Italy and 

Germany during the skiing season. 

The Laber Ski Club has traditionally the highest 

and most active membership of any NATO School 

club. Membership is only € 10 for a family or € 5 

for an individual. Membership entitles you to free 

travel to all ski destinations. Individuals are 

responsible for their own ski passes however; we 

frequently qualify for a group discount. The Club 

is particularly suitable for families as supervision 

of children can be shared whilst some of the 

adults can test their skis on the more adventurous 

slopes. Eleven events, including two long 

weekend trips, are anticipated during the 

2005/2006 season – besides being great social 

occasions they offer some superb skiing in some 

of Europe’s premier ski resorts. 

The extraordinarily high repeat membership 

speaks volumes for the Club’s success. A full 

breakdown of our skiing programme for the 

season is shown below. I look forward to meeting 

you on the slopes. 

Tim Payne 

President Laber Ski Club 



Laber Ski Club 2006 Schedule 

Date / Location / Trip Captain 

Fri, 10 Mar / LSC Competition O’gau / Tim Payne 

Sat/Sun 18/19 Mar / TBD / Mike Merryman 

Fri/Sun 24-26 Mar / Dolomites / Maya Haege 

Sat/Sun 1/2 Apr / Lermoos or Seefeld / Jan 

Stoffels 

Sat 30 Apr / Zugspitze 

Both Alpine and X-country ski training will be 

conducted and organized by the NRC. 

If you have any questions, please contact your 

Laber Ski Club Council: 

President: Tim Payne 

Vice President: Arne H Knapskog 

Secretary: Maya Haege 

Treasurer: Rob Bolton

“Three Stars” at Battlefield 

By Cpt Rainer Lau, J-2 

In autumn last year the members of the NATO 

School unofficial “Three Stars Association” 

conducted a professional development trip to 

Ingolstadt, where one of the biggest field 

exercises was conducted under the command of 

the Commanding General of the German Armed 

Forces Engineers, BGEN Werner Kullak. 

The commander of the Engineer Brigade 100, 

Colonel Henning Dahmen was tasked to order all 

elements of his brigade, located within all 

Germany to Ingolstadt to build up this huge 

exercise performance. (BGEN Kullak and Colonel 

Dahmen see picture with the Captains). In 

addition the German Armed Forces air force 

contributed with a phantom aircraft, as well as 

other units which contributed helicopters, airborne 

forces and tanks to illustrate enemy attacks. In 

order to be at Ingolstadt in time, we had to depart 

at 04.30 hours in the morning from the NATO 

School. Because of the early departure it was just 

a question of time, when the trip captain ordered a 

breakfast stop at the autobahn rest station. 



After coffee, scrambled eggs and rolls we 

continued our trip to Ingolstadt. Exactly in time we 

arrived at 07.00 hours at the German Armed 

Forces Engineer School. 

After having completed the registration of our 

group we were guided to exercise field where a 

huge seat stand was build up for all visitors. We 

recognized soon, that the active military guests 

were in minority. The day we were invited was the 

so called “VIP Day” with visitors from industry, 

politicians from state and federal government and 

others. The commanding general of the German 

Armed Forces Engineer Troops, Brigadier 

General Kullak welcomed all guests. In his 

welcome speech it was mentioned that the cost 

for this information exercise were some million 

Euros. The “VIP Day” was the last day of six days 

exercise performances after its start on Friday. 

Special troops with equipment were transported 

from all over Germany to Ingolstadt just for this 

annual exercise. The main purpose of this 

exercise is to educate the officers and officer 

candidates from the officers academy at 

Hamburg, where the exercise got its name from.

First we were introduced to special engineer 

vehicles to understand the capabilities of the 

engineer troop. Then we were transported by bus 

into the battle field area where battle field 

sequences were shown. Tanks, anti mine tanks, 

air force, artillery and air born troop showed 

impressive pictures in action. Very impressive was 

the station camouflage and deceive. It was 

impossible for us to differentiate between a real 

tank and a false one. Because of the material 

being used even professional reconnaissance is 

not able to identify vehicles covered by a special 

camouflage net. 

At 13.30 hours we were transported to the big tent 

area for lunch. After lunch brigadier General 

Kullak and his brigade commander, Colonel 

Dahmen introduced us into more details of the 

exercise, before we were transported to the 

Donau. Captain Lau used the opportunity to thank 

General Kullak and his brigade commander, 

Colonel Dahmen for the invitation and the 

impressive performance of his troop. As a small 

gift both persons were given a NATO School coin, 

which they appreciated very much. The engineers 

had build up a huge stand seat direct at the river 

Donau. Before we approached the river area we 

were advised to use the “anti mosquito balm” to 

be protected. Later on the ones who ignored the 

advise were really suffering. 

We saw a tank battalion building a bridge across 

the Donau river. Under enemy air force and 

artillery fire the tank battalion successfully crossed 

the river, supported by helicopter fire. This 

performance was a highlight which we all will not 

forget that fast. At 18.00 hours the exercise was 

finished and we proceeded back to 

Oberammergau. We did a “pit stop” in the area of 

Murnau at the Museum’s restaurant “Glennleiten” 

where we had a beautiful view into the valley and 

the sun set with some Bavarian beer. 



The next “Three Stars Professional Education” trip 

maybe going to the French Legion Troops.



Impressions of SACT’s visit, 13 Februrary 2006 

Colonel Sullivan meets General Smith at Munich Airport 

General Smith meets with Mr. Mendoza at the NRC 

General Smith with the Commandant and Deputy Commandant 

General Smith with Col (ret) Bahr, President of the NSA 

The Commandant and the Deputy Commandant watch General Smith depart

Best of the best 

By SGM Manfred Klimek, PAO 

During a German ‚End of Year Party’ at the 

‘Kolbenalm’ restaurant in Oberammergau, Colonel 

(GS) Gerhard Schepe said goodbye to the 

German Community of the NATO School. During 

the official part of this party Colonel Schepe 

recognized some members of the German 

Element for their performed duties. 

Colonel (GS) Gerhard Schepe reading the laudatory of 

the formal recognition to Captain Stefan Diederich. 

Six soldiers received a Formal Recognition 

(Förmliche Anerkennung), which, in the German 

Armed Forces, is only given to soldiers who have 

performed their duties above and beyond average 

for a longer period of time. 

With pride the following soldiers accepted the 

“Förmliche Anerkennung” with honour: 

LTC Bernd Weber, J-6 

CPT Stefan Diederich, J-1 

CPT Rainer Lau, J-2 

StFw Jochen Zimmermann, School SGM 

Sgt Michael Schaller, Policy Department 

CPL Christian Pop, J-4 Transportation 



Left to right: LTC Weber, CPL Pop, Cpt Lau, Sgt 

Schaller and StFw Zimmermann 

During an official small ceremony Colonel Wilhelm 

Bernhard Vitzthum took the military oath off PFC 

Andreas Schwachhofer. By swearing this oath, 

PFC Schwachhofer switched from being a 

conscript to become a voluntary professional 

soldier for a period of four years service in the 

German Armed Forces. He will perform these 

years in the J-4 Transportation department of the 

NATO School as a driver. Congratulations! 

Colonel Vitzthum congratulates PFC Schwachhofer

König Ludwig Lauf 2006 

By SM Sjon Selles, PAO 

For the 34 th time one of the biggest cross country ski 

race in the Southern German region was organized: the 

König Ludwig Lauf. Traditionally this race is organized 

every first weekend in February each year (weather 

permitting). In 2006 more than 4,200 people (new 

record!) from more than 30 nations participated in four 

disciplines and there was a separate race for the 

children. 

The disciplines you could start in were: 

- 50 km classic style 

- 23 km classic style 

- 50 km free style (skating) 

- 23 km free style (skating) 

There was also a team from the NATO School which 

participated. Most of the participants started in the 23 

km classic style. I have asked some participants about 

the race and here are some of their reactions (in no 

particular order): 

Wg Cdr Tim Payne 

(23 km classic style in 2 hr 17 min 57sec) 

Why did you participate in this race? 

I’m a firm believer that life is measured in achievements 

not in years alone and that you should grab those 

opportunities as they become available – this was one 

of those opportunities. 

How did you prepare yourself for the race? 

I turned to x-country skiing simply because for nearly 

five months of the year one is unable to run along the 

tracks and x-country skiing is the most viable alternative 

for keeping fit – I have only been x-country skiing since 

my arrival at the NATO School and enjoy the 

excitement and competition of a race, I regularly ski 

home to Unterammergau at the end of the day and try 

to go for a long ski at weekends. 

Were you nervous before the start? 

Not really, this was my third König Ludwig Lauf race 

and I knew what to expect – my main concern was to 

avoid the carnage that always occurs close to the start 

as skiers negotiate the first incline and climb up to the 

Ettal Berg whilst tracks narrow from 30 lanes to just 

three. 

How did you experience the race? 

Very soon the elite athletes have soared ahead and 

skiers get into packs of fairly matched ability - I was 

constantly wishing I had better skis to enable me to be 

more competitive – but perhaps it had something to do 

with technique as well. 



What did you particularly like about this race? 

The healthy competition, camaraderie and sense of 

achievement of competing in an event alongside 

athletes who are at the top of their class. 

What was your first thought when you crossed the finish 

line? 

The kilometer markers tick off your progress as you ski 

around the course; at each marker you asses how 

much further it is to go and work out approximately how 

much longer your body has to suffer – then all of a 

sudden there’s only one kilometer left and you reach 

into those reserves to try and catch the person in front – 

crossing the finish line comes as a relief of an emotional 

and physical pressure valve. 

Do you plan to participate in the next König Ludwig Lauf 

cross country ski race? 

Unfortunately this was my last König Ludwig Lauf race 

before my family and I move to Izmir. Perhaps I will 

look for the opportunity of competing in wind surfing 

races along the Turkish coast instead. 

LTC Kathleen Gerenda 

(23 km classic style in 2 hr 41 min 21sec) 


To challenge myself by doing something I’ve never 

done. I missed the event last year, but I heard such 

good things about it that I just had to be a part of it. 


Running and cycling, a great lesson from Joe 

Isherwood, some weekend and night skiing (I learned 

that night skiing is much easier with a headlamp. J) 

Were you nervous before the start? ABSOLUTELY, but 

after the spill on the first hill, I was okay. 

What did you particularly like about this race? The 

community atmosphere, the air of competition, the 

challenge of pushing myself (because it was indeed a 

race), the post-race “war story” time along with the 

feeling that you could now eat anything you wanted 

(almost) because you just burned four bazillion calories. 


line? 

I DID IT! YAHOO!! 



Yes. 

SSG Marko Pogorevc 

(50 km free style in 2 hr 34 min 44 sec) 


I did race because I love cross-country skiing and I 

need some motivation for training. 


I had no special preparation for that race concerning 

training, but I put a lot of effort to waxing skies before 

the race. And if I’m honest for me I did it fine, but some 

of the other guys (they had same wax on skies) said to 

me after race that it could have gone better. 


I am always nervous before the start. That’s special 

feeling you can feel it only if you are going to the races. 


Well, that could be a long story, but in one sentence I 

could only say IT WAS COLD. If you want to know more 

details ask me when we’ll meet each other.


Atmosphere and people on the race were really great, 

also organization and nature. 


line? 

I need to warm up my… 



Yes I will take a part on next KLL. 

Major Mike Paquette 

(23 km free style in 1 hr 33 min 22 sec) 


I enjoy participating in competitive endurance events 

mainly because it motivates me to a higher fitness level 

during training, and it is a real joy to be a part of that 

much energy and excitement on race day. I was on a 

Nordic ski team in school, so I had to do be a part of the 

KLL. 


Mainly shorter training runs of about a hour, a couple of 

times a week – not an idea training plan for such a 

race. This is why I only signed up for 23 km this year. 


A little, but being too nervous can use up valuable 

energy needed for the race. I tried to focus on other 

things. 


I finished the race pretty much as fast as I could have. I 

felt great during the race, and finished strong, so I have 

nothing to complain about. It was a great ay for me. 


The course is absolutely beautiful. The Ettal and 

Graswang valleys are simply breathtaking to see and 

be in. Unfortunately, the fog on Saturday didn’t let us 

see most of it, but I knew it was there. The people that 

come out and line the sides of the course are also 

great, and make it a really enjoyable day. 


line? 

Two feelings - I was very pleased that I felt much 

stronger than last year. I was also humbled to be 

surrounded by so many other folks that finished the 

race ahead of me, and blown away by the double-arm 

amputee that finished the race right beside me. More 

motivation for the next race I guess. 



I would if I were here, but I will be living in Tennessee, 

probably prepping for the Knoxville Marathon. 

Marian Selles 

(23 km classic style in 2 hr 13 min 05 sec) 

Although I was eight minutes faster than last year, I was 

not really satisfied. I had bad luck several times which 

brought me in a bad mood during the whole race. It 

already happened directly after the start: I was locked 

and I had difficulties to escape the muddle. There was a 

slow girl in front of me and in the trails on my left and 

right side there was the same problem. Because of that 

I lost a lot of time in Ettal. Also, in the woods I had 

problems with passing people: at the moment I almost 

passed someone that person suddenly switched trail 

and I had him or her in front of me again. 



After the turning point the 50 km participants joined the 

people who were doing the 23 km race. Shortly after 

that point two old grandpas in black were moving 

forward slowly next to each other while there were only 

two trails. I approached them and I had to stop because 

the men did not realize soon enough that they had 

entered the field of the ‘still fresh’ 23 km racers. The last 

ten km went fluently, until shortly before the finish. On 

the small wooden bridge I chose the trail with nobody 

on it, well prepared to do a sprint. Unfortunately a 

Czech switched from trail and he came just in front of 

me. I could say farewell to the sprint. Because of these 

experiences, after the finish I was thinking about doing 

the 50 km next year. A longer distance will give me 

much more possibilities to recover the time I lose in the 

first part. Of course, it is just a thought…… 

LTC Steven Wotherspoon 

(23 km classic style in 2 hr 57 min 10 sec) 


Because I am 52 years of age and will never get 

another opportunity whilst I’m at the NS! 


Eight training sessions over six weeks. 


I was nervous about following the correct procedures; 

race etiquette etc. 


It was absolutely fine, no after effects, a good training 

session. 


The beautiful scenery at the Linderhof end of the valley. 


line? 

How did LTC Uwe Schleimer take 31 minutes off me? 

And: I need a few beers. 



Yes if I’m available. 

SSG Kyeyahn Belanger 

(23 km classic style in 2 hr 57 min 10 sec)

Mario’s 

Corner 



A recipe for you: 

Rice Cake 

This is a very simple rice cake, which reminds me 

when I was a kid, once upon a time... 

1 liter of milk 

½ kilo of small, round rice 

1 lemon 

6 tablespoons of sugar 

1/4 teaspoon of salt 

1 tablespoon of grounded cinnamon. 

Bring the milk to the boiling point, together with 

the sugar and the salt. Add the rice and the 

lemon skin. Simmer gently for 45-50 minutes, 

stirring time by time with a wooden spatula, since 

the rice is very soft and creamy. 

Remove from heat and allow to slightly cool. 

When the mixture is lukewarm remove the lemon 

skin and pour into individual ramekins, then put 

into the refrigerator. 

Before serving the cake, dust it with cinnamon. 

Calling home 

cheap(er) 

By SM Sjon Selles, PAO 

Did you know that your telecom 

provider is not always the 

cheapest provider? Here is a 

list that shows all countries 

represented at the NATO School, how to dial 

these nations from here and what you pay per 

minute if your conversation is more than three 

minutes. 

You can also use a code when calling a number 

within Germany. For instance, if you want to dial a 

number in Munich, use the code mentioned below 

and dial the complete Munich number. In this case 

you dial as follows: 01058-089-etc. Prizes are as 

accurate as at 1 March 2006 but are subject to 

change. Do not try this at work, it doesn’t work. 

And have a look at your next phone bill too. It 

shows exactly when you used the alternate 

provider and the amount you spent on your calls. 

Happy savings! (▼ means the price went down!) 

Placing a call at home to: 

Country: use prefix: cost per minute 

Albania 0103000355- € 0,07 ▼ 

Austria 010350043- € 0,02 

Belgium 010300032- € 0,02 

Canada 01077001- € 0,01 ▼ 

Croatia 0107700385- € 0,04 ▼ 

Czech Republic 0107700420- € 0,02 

Denmark 010770045- € 0,02 

France 010710033- € 0,02 

Inside Germany 01058- € 0,019 ▼ 

Greece 010300030- € 0,02 

Hungary 010580036- € 0,02 ▼ 

Italy 010290039- € 0,01 ▼ 

Lithuania 0105800370- € 0,05 ▼ 

Luxembourg 01001200352- € 0,03 ▲ 

The Netherlands 010300031- € 0,01 ▼ 

Norway 010770047- € 0,02 

Poland 010350048- € 0,03 ▲ 

Portugal 0103500351- € 0,02 

Romania 010710040- € 0,06 ▼ 

Spain 010810034- € 0,02 

Turkey 010300090- € 0,03 ▼ 

United Kingdom 010290044- € 0,01 ▼ 

United States 01030001- € 0,01 ▼


Just to see how it would be, and to see if I could 

conquer the course. (The challenge mainly) 


I learned how to do it on Wednesday, and raced 

Sunday. 


A little, like every event that I have ever entered. It’s 

normal. 


Wonderful, I suggest everyone try it at least once while 

their here, with proper training though! 

What did you particularly like about this race? The view 

of these wonderful mountains. 


line? 

Finally; what was I thinking! 



Without a doubt! I’m going to buy my own skis next 

week. 

Major Jan Kars 

(23 km free style in 1 hr 45 min 07sec) 


Because I wanted to know, weather I'd be able to do 

such a competition soon after my paraglide accident in 

an acceptable time. 


I didn't do special exercise for this race, but I did some 

ski-tours around Mittenwald and I did cross-countryskiing 

two or three times this winter. But mostly I relied 

on my basic endurance. 


Not at all, because I have some experience in biathlon 

races and my participation in this race was only for fun 

(and a test - see above) 


It was a typical world-loppet race, with many 

inexperienced people, but also people who wanted to 

make the experience of a race, feel the atmosphere - 

which was very relaxed - and just take part in a famous 

event. 


As I'm living in Mittenwald for more than ten years and 

never participated in the KLL, I took the chance to do it. 




line? 

I know my time is not as good as usual, because I had 

to queue up for more than 15 minutes, but anyway, I 

finished! 



Maybe, why not, it was really fun! 

StFw Jochen Zimmermann 


I took part because I like cross-country skiing. 


I trained before some hours on the “Sonnenloipe”. 


Yes, a little bit. 


We had great snow conditions and faster slopes then 

last year, therefore the race was not so exhausting for 

me as in previous years. 


The scenery of the Alps when leaving the “Ettaler 

Forest” and entering the “Dicklschwaig” in Graswang – 

amazing panorama – and of course the great support of 

NATO School members cheering for us at the end of 

the race, thank you very much! 


line? 

“I can’t remember my first thought, but I was happy to 

finish in a better time then last year.” 

Will you plan to participate in the next König Ludwig 

Lauf cross country ski race? 

Yes. Finally I would like to congratulate all NATO 

School participants on their excellent performance. 

Other participants related to the NATO School or their 

relatives were: 

LTC Egil Haave 

23 km classic style in 1 hr 36 min 44 sec 

LTC Uwe Schleimer 


Mrs. Jenny Rundle (NSA member) 


Marlies Zolldahn (IFC member) 


Mrs. Kelly Nebel (NATO School guest) 

23 km classic style in 3 hr 12 min 26 sec

The Passion Play of Oberammergau 

By Owen Payne, age 10 

The story: it is 25 September 1633. The plague is 

ravaging Bavaria. Oberammergau keeps safe by 

keeping any person from outside the village out 

until an Oberammergauer called Kasper Schisler 

comes home from working in nearby Eschenlohe. 

He is dead in days. Within a month, 81 people in 

Oberammergau have died. On 28 th of October 

1633 the village leaders make a vow to perform a 

Passion Play every ten years if the plague stops 

killing the Oberammergauers. The next day the 

plague stops. 

But is it true? The parish records are said to tell a 

different story. By 28 th of October 1633 the plague 

had been and gone in this area and the deaths of 

84 Oberammergauers are recorded over a period 

of 15 months, not one month. There was no time 

when the deaths stopped abruptly. In fact Kasper 

Schisler’s death was not recorded around 

Oberammergau then. So what really happened? 

It’s probable that Oberammergau had already 

been performing a Passion Play for many years 

before. There are a number of things that make us 

think that. One: Passion Plays were a common 

form of entertainment at that time and lots of 

villages performed them. Two: lots of communities 

made vows to do certain things if the plague 

would stop ravaging their villages or cities, and it 

would seem sensible to make a vow to do 

something that they already did well. And three: 

the oldest version of the Oberammergau Passion 

Play script that has been found would already 

have been very old fashioned by 1633. 

Today the Oberammergau Passion Play is very 

important for three reasons: religious, artistic, 

commercial. But whether it keeps the plague away 

is a mystery. 



What is the Passion Play? A Passion Play is the 

story of the last few days of Jesus’ life, his death 

by crucifixion and his resurrection. 

The Oberammergau Passion Play is still 

performed every 10 years. The next one will be 

performed in 2010. Only true Oberammergauers 

are allowed to take part, and even if you go to live 

in Oberammergau you cannot take part until you 

have lived there for many years. The actors have 

to grow their hair long, and they have to wear 

special costumes. You can see these beautiful 

costumes now if you take a tour round the 

Passion Play Theatre. The actors are chosen by 

audition, which means that anyone who wants to 

perform a certain part has to demonstrate their 

acting skills along with anyone else who wants to 

play that part. And whoever acts it out the best in 

the practice gets to play that role. There are not 

just people acting. They have doves, donkeys, 

sheep and cows. 

About 2000 people perform, out of the town¹s 

population of 5000. Most of the people in the 

performance play crowd parts. Each performance 

lasts 5 hours and is seen by an audience of 5000. 

The play is performed 5 times a week for 5 

months between late May and early October.The 

play was originally performed in the village 

churchyard. In 1830 a permanent stage was built 

in a meadow and that is where the theatre stands 

today. One amazing thing about the theatre is 

that, if it started raining during the performance 

the actors would get wet. The stage is still 

exposed to the weather, but the audience have a 

shelter over them. 

My two best friends in Oberammergau, Georg and 

Lukas, were both in the Passion Play in 2000, 

when they were 5 years old. 

Reference: Oberammergau, the Troubling Story of the World’s 

Most Famous Passion Play by James Shapiro.

Ski Instructor World 

Championship 2005 

Levi, Finland 

In Levi, a small Finish Ski Resort, north of the 

polar circle, from 01 to 04 December the 

international elite met for their world 

Championship, which occurs every 4 years. 

The Finish landlords organized a outstanding 

event and conducted perfect conditions for skiers 

and snowboarders. 

Tobias Streibl was a member of the German 

Team at this World Championship. With a Silver 

Medal in the Demonstration competition and a 

Bronze Medal in the Carving Dual Relay, Tobias 

was one of the most successful participants. It 

was the biggest success for the German Ski 

Instructor Federation ever. 

Silver Medal in Demonstration competition: 

The heart piece of the World Championship is the 

Demonstration. A team is put together with six 

Skiers and the jury judges the synchronic, 

dynamics, creativity and technique quality. 

Fourteen teams from different nations competed 

for this event. Favorites always are the Austrian 

and Swiss teams. After the first run the German 

Team was on the 6 th place, but could jump on 2 nd 

place with an exceptional second run. It was a 

sensational success for the German Ski Instructor 

Federation to show their development and skills 

the last years. 



Bronze Medal in Carving Dual Relay 

Three skiers and one snowboarder and at least 

one woman, it is a team at this event. The 

German ski Instructor Federation nominated two 

teams. Tobias Streibl was put in team Germany 2. 

Germany 1 lost already their first run. Germany 2 

was successful against Switzerland 5 and one of 

the favorite Team France 1. Unfortunately on 

team member lost a ski in the semi final against 

Finnland 1. But the team with Tobias Streibl was 

successful in small final and celebrated the 

Bronze Medal. 

It is a gift to be a part of such a successful team 

and to have the chance to come to Lapland is for 

sure a once in a life time experience. To be at the 

end so successful to become Vice World 

Champion and a Bronze Medal was completely 

unexpected and will be always a part of my 

memories. 

But the next challenge is waiting in Korea. In 

January 2007 the Interski Congress 2007 will be 

conducted in Yong Pyong, Korea. Tobias Streibl 

will again be a part of the team which represents 

Germany Skiing.


Kofel Golf Society trip to Italy 

By Sjon Selles 

KGS Secretary 

There are members of the Kofel Golf Society 

(KGS) who cannot wait until the end of the winter 

season to play golf. One of the Italian members of 

the KGS, Mario Ive, offered to set up a golf 

expedition. He drafted an operation order for this 

mission and got it approved by the Board of the 

KGS. The aim of the expedition was to go across 

the German border, find a golf course not too far 

away, and play golf. The mission area was 

located not too far away from Milan, Italy. Two 

training areas were defined to be used by the 

KGS to play golf, one was the Golf Club “Robinie” 

which is located just outside Solbiate Olana, 

where the NATO School conducted Mobile 

Education and Training Teams in the past. The 

other mission area was found close to the lake 

‘Lago Maggiore’, the “Bogugno Golf Club”. 

And so it came that on Friday, 03 March 2006 

members of the Kofel Golf Society and some of 

their partners departed for Italy. All arrived safely 

at the mission area and were accommodated in a 

nice hotel. Everyone was ready for a good meal 

and, after we checked in to the hotel, we deployed 

to the local mess hall for dinner. This ended up to 

be a 2 star Michelin restaurant where our mission 

leader, Mario Ive, had arranged a table for all of 

us. There are too many words to describe how 

good the food was. (see picture below) 



On Saturday we deployed to the first training area 

where non-golfers moved on to explore Milan. It 

was strange to see a ‘land without snow’ and the 

mild temperatures (12 degrees Celcius) felt very 

good. All participants in the golf expedition went to 

the driving range with enough ammunition to 

warm up. Some had a good time, others were 

trying to get rid of a ‘hook’ or a ‘slice’. At 1210 hrs 

we were deployed in the mission area. There 

were a lot of (wet) hazards around this mission 

area and some of our missiles fired away never 

made it to the target area. Both Mike Merryman 

and Mario Ive had a tremendous launch from a 

bunker right onto the target area, close to the flag. 

After a five hour exercise on this mission area we 

met the ‘Milan explorers’ and went back to the 

hotel, followed by an excellent dinner in a local 

(no stars, but very good) restaurant. 

Sunday mission area with all terrain golf vehicles 

On Sunday we deployed to the second training 

area, the “Bogugno Golf Club”. After we were 

dropped off at the training area, the rest of the 

expedition participants drove on to ‘Lago 

Maggiore”, to explore the surrounding area over 

there. The participants of the golf expedition 

picked up their all terrain golf vehicles and went to 

the training area. The temperatures were even 

warmer than the day before, 14 to 15 degrees 

Celcius, and we saw sunshine during the entire 

training. The training area had even more (water) 

hazards but it was no problem to do an all terrain 

reconnaissance and complete the mission of the 

day. 

In the end we can say that the expedition was a 

successful one and all participants are now 

warmed up for the coming golf season……



Impressions of the “Northern Bivouac”



ISAF Deployment 

by Major Sarah Scullion 

I deployed to Afghanistan at the request of JWC in 

support of the JALLC to participate in a team 

study conducted Oct-Nov 2005. This team 

comprised members of France, Italy, Norway, 

United Kingdom and the United States. The Joint 

Analysis Lessons Learned Centre (JALLC) was 

tasked to analyze the relief-in-place of a US 

Provisional Reconstruction Team (either under 

NATO control or just prior to NATO assuming 

control of the PRT) to another NATO or non- 

NATO relieving nation and thereby identify 

lessons to improve the transition process. 

We traveled to Kabul, Farah and Herat within 

Afghanistan. Central and regional headquarters 

were visited, as well as two Provisional 

Reconstruction Teams, Non Governmental 

Organization offices, reconstruction worksites in 

the civilian communities, and a Forward Support 

Base. Our report was issued 31 Jan 06 and is 

classified as NATO Confidential Releasable to 

ISAF. Key recommendations were in the areas of 

doctrine, organization, training, material, facilities 

and interoperability. The lessons-learned report is 

intended to facilitate and improve NATO’s 

involvement in ISAF’s Stage 3 expansion. 

Learning English with the Flying Cow 

By Mandy Payne 

Sixteen NATO School wives are taking part in a 

unique trial of a remarkable English language 

learning software programme. 

The ladies, who between them come from thirteen 

different European countries, among them 

France, Spain, Poland and Lithuania, are all 

working daily at fun computer games featuring 

flying cows and talking turtles. While they are 

clicking at the animals, they are being subtly 

trained in the skills needed to learn and improve 

their English – how to discriminate between 

similar sounds, such as “d” and “t”, for instance, 

and how to remember and follow increasingly 

complex spoken instructions. The software, which 

is widely used in the US but is relatively new to 

Europe, appears to develop the human brain’s 

language learning centres in a way that makes it 

easier to absorb the English language. The 

American company that developed the products 

has agreed to make this normally expensive 

course available to these ladies free of charge for 

the purposes of the trial, and we are grateful to 

the NATO School for generously covering the 

trial’s running costs. Speech therapist Catherine 

Ruckert, who practises in Starnberg and who has 

been using the software successfully with her 

clients in recent years, is giving up her own time 

to analyse the data and manage the trial. 

The NATO School currently employs personnel 

from 23 different countries, many of whom arrive 

here with wives and children who speak neither 

German nor English. Can you imagine coming to 

Oberammergau knowing that there will be not one 

person outside the family that you can talk to in 

your own language? Families can face an uphill 

struggle to learn enough German or English to be 

able to make friends and enjoy life as part of the 

NATO community. While kids learn quickly, adults 

who’ve had little exposure to English can find the 

language almost impossible. This is why 

European wives deserve all the support we can 

give them. The software training will, we hope, 

shorten the learning curve substantially – it is 

claimed to achieve around a year’s progress in 

English in the space of a few weeks. 

The trial began at the end of January, and into its 

second week it’s already generating plenty of 

discussion. It is expected to continue until April, 

after which the results will be published. Please 

give your support by taking a moment to have a 

chat with any NATO School English learners and 

give them a bit of practice!

International Friendship Club 

By LTC Zsolt Mikusi 

President, IFC 

Oberammergau and the NATO School 

The New Year has begun and thus time for the 

Annual General Meeting to be held. It was held in 

the Ammergauer House on the 14 th of January. 

Fifty two voting members took part in the meeting. 

The former President, Uli Wolf, greeted those 

present and reported on the activities of the past 

year. After releasing the old board of directors, 

the vote for the new board was held. 

The following persons were chosen: 

President: Zsolt Mikusi (NATO) 

Vice President: Jo Müller (O’gau) 

Treasurer: Uli Wolf (O’gau) 

Secretary: Reiner Zolldahn (GAP) 

Member at large from NATO School: 

Mariarosa Cestari 

Marga van Oosterhout 

Kees Bakx 

Member at large from Oberammergau: 

Karin Schiemann 

Annette Demmel 

Auditors: 

Marjo Gerum, Bernd Chittka 

For its first activity the new board of directors went 

over the calendar of events for 2006 and provided 

a preliminary overview of planned activities. 

The first activity is already behind us. At sunset 

on 28 January twenty five members and two 

children met at the bottom of the “Kolbenalm” 

chair lift for a torch hike up to the “Kolbenalm”. 



However, before it began, everyone gathered 

strength and warmed up with one or perhaps two 

glasses of hot mulled wine. Afterwards it was 

then dark enough, the torches were distributed, lit 

and off the group went in the direction of the 

“kolbenalm” where we then spent a pleasant 

evening. 

Visit also the Club at www.ifc-oberammergau.de 

There you will also find the calendar of events for 

2006. If you would like to join the IFC please see 

the board members for further information.



Community News and Events 

For further details, please call the NATO Recreation Center at 08822-94813101 or 94813103 

Sunday 05 March 

‘Blue Day’ organized by Joe Isherwood, this time 

on the Biberwier ski slopes. You can test all kinds 

of ski and snowboard equipment, all day long, for 

€ 50 per person. 

Monday 06 March 

0900 - 1000 hrs: German conversation for 

beginners at the NRC Library. 


intermediates at the NRC Library. 

Wednesday 08 March 

1000 - 1200 hrs: English conversation at the Blue 

Crest Lounge. 

1315 hrs: A bus is available to bring you to the ski 

slopes in Oberammergau. Cost is 2 € per person. 

1330 hrs: Trip to the ‘Neuschwanstein’ castle. 

1400 hrs: Ski Race Training at the “Kolben”. Cost 

is € 5 

Friday 10 March 

0900 hrs: Quilting in the NRC 

1000 hrs: Start of the NATO School ‘Ski 

Competition’ and ‘Esprit de Corps Day’ at the 

Kolben ski slopes. 

1900: ‘Apres Ski Party’ and Prize Ceremony in the 

Blue Crest Lounge. 


0900 hrs: Meet at the NRC to depart for a winter 

hike to the ‘Pürschling’ hut. Cost is € 7 per person. 

Bring extra money for lunch. 







1000 hrs: Ladies Coffee Morning at the Blue Crest 

Lounge. 




1345 hrs: Meet at NRC for cross country ski 

training. Cost is € 5 per person. 



1400 hrs: Ski clinic at the ‘Kolben’ ski slopes for 

intermediate skiers and/or snowboarders, 

regardless the number of participants. Cost is 5 € 

per session 

PM: Happy Hour in the Blue Crest Lounge 


1300 hrs Meet behind the “Wellenberg” for a 

sledding afternoon. 







1000 hrs: English conversation, Blue Crest 

Lounge 











per session 


Saturday 25 March 

0900 hrs: Meet at the NRC for adventure sledding 

in Bad Kohlgrub on the slopes of the “Hörnle”. 

Cost is € 20 per person. 

Sunday 26 March at 0200 hrs: Summertime 

starts!



Community News and Events 

For further details, please call the NATO Recreation Center at 08822-94813101 or 94813103 








Lounge 












Saturday 01 April 

‘Blue Day’ organized by Joe Isherwood, this time 

on the Biberwier ski slopes. You can test all kinds 

of ski and snowboard equipment, all day long, for 

€ 50 per person. 

Monday 03 April 





Wednesday 05 April 


Lounge 


Friday 07 April 



Sunday 09 April 

0900 hrs: Meet at the NRC to depart for a winter 

hike around Elmau - Mittenwald. Cost is € 7 per 

person. 

Monday 10 April 





Wednesday 12 April 


Lounge 


Friday 14 April (Good Friday) 

Local holiday. All shops are closed. 



Saturday 15 April 

1100 hrs: Easter Egg Hunt at the NRC 

Sunday 16 April and Monday 17 April 

Easter, all shops closed on Monday

REST 1 

BIO 1 

YEL 1 

PAPER 1 



Local and Environmental News 

(from the ‘Oberammergauer Zeitung’) by SM Sjon Selles, PAO 

REST 2 

BIO 2 

YEL 1 

PAPER 1 

REST 2 

BIO 2 

YEL 2 

PAPER 2 

Legend: BIO ONE / REST ONE / YEL ONE = Households across the Ammer river, train station side. 

BIO TWO / REST TWO / YEL TWO = Households on the NATO School side of the Ammer river. 

PAPER ONE = Households across the Ammer, train station side AND households north of the Laine stream 

PAPER TWO = Households on the NATO School side and south of the Laine stream 

Paper can be put outside in (reusable) boxes. Old clothes and shoes should be put together in a plastic bag. 

Problem trash: From 1400-1630 hrs there will be a van at the parking lot across from Hotel Böld. 

Friday, 10 March 2006 

Laber Ski Club Race Day and 

NATO School ‘Esprit de Corps’ day 

At the “Kolben” ski slopes in Oberammergau 

Races start at 1000 hrs 

Apres Ski Party and Prize Ceremony 

At 1900 hrs in the Blue Crest Lounge



Local and Environmental News 

(from the ‘Oberammergauer Zeitung’) by SM Sjon Selles, PAO 

Yellow bag 

If your bag is not yellow, they will not take it! If you need 

extra yellow bags, you can ask Karin Reuter, the 

Housing Manager at ext. 1704 in the NATO School or 

pick them up at the Recycling Center in Oberammergau. 

Since it is no longer cost effective to have separate 

recycling containers for cans and tins, they should be 

recycled through your yellow bag. Lids should be put in 

the empty can and then be placed into the yellow bag. 

To avoid the yellow bag to break because of the sharp 

edges of your cans, put your cans into a plastic bag first 

and then put it in the yellow bag. The yellow bag will 

soon be replaced by a more firm type of plastic bag. 

Printer Cartridges 

You can dispose your personal printer cartridges at the 

Tourist Office and the local Recycling Center. 

Paper Containers 

You are asked to put your paper container outside by 

0730 on such Saturdays. Besides this, the containers will 

also be emptied once a month according to the schedule 

below. You can still bring your paper to the recycling yard 

in Oberammergau. 

For your information, here is the recycling calendar 

fro the coming months: 

March April May 

1 Wednesday BIO 2 1 Saturday 1 Monday Labour Day 

2 Thursday 2 Sunday 2 Tuesday REST 2 

3 Friday 3 Monday REST 2 / PROBLEM 3 Wednesday REST 1 

4 Saturday 4 Tuesday REST 1 4 Thursday PAPER 1 

5 Sunday 5 Wednesday PAPER 1 5 Friday PAPER 2 

6 Monday REST 2 6 Thursday PAPER 2 6 Saturday 

7 Tuesday REST 1 7 Friday 7 Sunday 

8 Wednesday PAPER 1 8 Saturday 8 Monday 

9 Thursday PAPER 2 9 Sunday 9 Tuesday BIO 1 

10 Friday 10 Monday BIO 1 10 Wednesday BIO2 

11 Saturday 11 Tuesday BIO2 11 Thursday 

12 Sunday 12 Wednesday 12 Friday 

13 Monday 13 Thursday 13 Saturday 

14 Tuesday BIO 1 14 Friday Good Friday 14 Sunday 

15 Wednesday BIO2 15 Saturday 15 Monday REST 2 

16 Thursday 16 Sunday Easter Sunday 16 Tuesday REST 1 / YEL 1 

17 Friday 17 Monday Easter Monday 17 Wednesday YEL 2 

18 Saturday 18 Tuesday REST 2 18 Thursday 

19 Sunday 19 Wednesday REST 1 / YEL 1 19 Friday 

20 Monday REST 2 20 Thursday YEL 2 20 Saturday 

21 Tuesday REST 1 / YEL 1 21 Friday 21 Sunday 

22 Wednesday YEL 2 22 Saturday 22 Monday BIO 1 

23 Thursday 23 Sunday 23 Tuesday BIO2 

24 Friday 24 Monday 24 Wednesday 

25 Saturday PAPER / CLOTHES 25 Tuesday BIO 1 25 Thursday Ascension Day 

26 Sunday Summertime starts! 26 Wednesday BIO2 26 Friday 

27 Monday 27 Thursday 27 Saturday PAPER / CLOTHES 

28 Tuesday BIO 1 28 Friday 28 Sunday 

29 Wednesday BIO2 29 Saturday PAPER / CLOTHES 29 Monday REST 2 

30 Thursday 30 Sunday 30 Tuesday REST 1 

31 Friday 31 Wednesday PAPER 1 

Days marked in red are either weekend days and/or German or Bavarian holidays. If the field is marked in blue it means 

that all the shops are closed on that day. If day is marked in green it means there are no courses held at the NATO School. 

BIO ONE / REST ONE / YEL ONE = Those who live in Oberammergau across the Ammer river, train station side. 

BIO TWO / REST TWO / YEL TWO = Those households living on the NATO School side of the Ammer river. 

Paper can be put outside in (reusable) boxes. Old clothes and shoes should be put together in a plastic bag. 

Problem trash: From 1400-1630 hrs there will be a van at the parking lot across from Hotel Böld. 

Opening hours of the Oberammergau Recycling Center are as follows: 

Monday 1600 – 1900 hrs Thursday c l o s e d 

Tuesday 0900 – 1300 hrs Friday 1400 – 1900 hrs 

Wednesday 1500 – 1900 hrs Saturday 0900 – 1300 hrs



Welcome to our Community !

Issue Nr. 1 March 2006 - NATO School

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