As unmanned aircraft systems multiply with astonishing rapidity and their contribution to earth surveillance and the treatment of emergency situations increases in parallel to the commercial, homeland security and military applications, there is a pressing need to ensure the security and environmental safety of this increased traffic. This seminar brought together representatives of the U.S. Administration and Congress, European officials, senior corporate executives, representatives from multilateral organizations, and experts to evaluate progress and identify current needs. Speakers included Peter van Blyenburgh, President of UVS International; Kenneth “Doug” Davis, UAS Program Office Manager for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration; Sara Summers, UAS Deputy Project Manager for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Douglas Koupash, Executive Director of Mission Support, Office of CBP Air and Marine, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Rear Admiral Wayne Justice, USCG, Assistant Commandant for Capability for the U.S. Coast Guard. Major General Michael Kostelnik, USAF (Ret), Assistant Commissioner for CBP Air and Marine, U.S. Customs and Border Protection presented keynote remarks.
Amid the daily reports of deepening military problems in Afghanistan, NATO operations there are at risk not just because of the mounting tempo of the Taliban but also because allied capitals are papering over deep disagreements about the strategy and the conduct of the campaign. The command structure is afflicted by the simultaneous presence in the field of many three and four-star generals from different countries and their divergences have damaged morale among troops and officials on the ground and spread pessimism in the Western media, especially in Europe. The U.S. feeling of political concern has become acute now that Britain is showing signs of becoming lukewarm about its Afghan commitment. If Britain, the key U.S. ally in the campaign, were to pull its forces out of Afghanistan, it would be easy to see other European governments following the British lead to the exit.
Organized under the auspices of the Slovenian Presidency of the European Council, this meeting assessed the challenges and opportunities facing Europe and the United States in developing effective adaptation policies that will ensure global security and help prevent humanitarian disasters on a catastrophic scale. Rear Admiral Torben Ørting Joergensen, Assistant Chief of Staff for Capabilities, NATO Allied Command Transformation and Sherri Goodman, General Counsel, The CNA Corporation offered their perspectives on the security implications of climate change and the strategic adaptations they will require. Rafe Pomerance, President, Climate Policy Center gave his assessment of what adaptation policies are most necessary and what opportunities they present for greater transatlantic cooperation. Miriam Mozgan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Slovenia presented the Slovenian Presidency’s priorities regarding this issue.
The evolution of European and U.S. defense procurement and industrial relations was at the heart of the discussion. Current moves to consolidate the European defense procurement sector may have a lasting impact on transatlantic industrial cooperation, and procurement rules are under examination in the U.S. as well. François Gayet, Secretary General of the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe presented the European industry’s perspective. Robert Bell, Chairman of the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) Study Group on Trans-Atlantic Defense Industrial Cooperation and Senior Vice President for European Business Development at SAIC, presented the results of NIAG’s report to NATO. Brig. Gen. Olivier-Pierre Jacquotte, Defense Cooperation Attaché at the Embassy of France, discussed France’s initiatives and plans for the French Presidency of the EU Council. Robert Kovac, Managing Director of the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, U.S. Department of State, addressed progress made so far and challenges ahead for the licensing process. Amb. Robert E. Hunter, Senior Advisor, Rand Corporation and Former U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, moderated the discussion.
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