The German Ambassador to the Czech Republic, H.E. Dr Christoph ISRANG, visited the Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE) in Vyškov, Czech Republic on 20 May 2021. He was accompanied by Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel (G.S.) Holger OSWALD. Lieutenant Colonel Oswald visited the Centre previously on 12 June 2020 to prepare for the Ambassador’s visit. The visit was hosted by JCBRN Defence COE Director, Colonel David MARTÍNEK (CZE-ARMY), and the Deputy Director, Colonel Wolfgang REICH (DEU-Army). H.E. Dr ISRANG has been representing the Federal Republic of Germany in Prague since 8 August 2017. He previously attended training to become a reserve officer within the German Airforce with the rank of Colonel. H.E. Dr ISRANG is also closely related to CBRN defence from his previous position as the German Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague from July 2014 to August 2017. By the way, since these days he knows Major František PAVLÁSEK, who is currently working for the Centre’s Transformation Support Department.

The aim of the visit was to gain awareness of and an overview about the JCBRN Defence COE. Colonel MARTÍNEK briefed on JCBRN Defence COE’s mission, tasks, and structure.

Figure 1 - Colonel MARTINEK and Colonel REICH welcome H.E. Dr. ISRANG
Figure 1 - Colonel MARTINEK and Colonel REICH welcome H.E. Dr. ISRANG
Figure 2 - Dr. ISRANG signs COE's guest book
Figure 2 - Dr. ISRANG signs COE's guest book

Colonel REICH complemented this overview by presenting the JCBRN Defence COE’s cooperation with European Union institutions. Then the Operation Support Department’s CBRN Reachback and Modelling & Simulation Sections provided two additional presentations on their capabilities and operational support to NATO.

Figure 3 - Traditional family photo
Figure 3 - Traditional family photo

The information exchange was not the only purpose of the H.E. Dr ISRANG’s travel to Vyškov. He also wanted to meet with the German contribution to the JCBRN Defence COE. Three out of six German soldiers posted in the Czech Republic are living and working in Vyškov.

In the end, H.E. Dr ISRANG appreciated the JCBRN Defence COE’s efforts in the field of CBRN defence and emphasized the importance of Germany being a member of the JCBRN Defence COE. (Figure 4)* He tweeted, that the COE is considered as an “outstanding example for professional cooperation in NATO”.

Figure 4 - H.E. Dr. ISRANG's tweeted on his visit of the JCBRN Defence COE
Figure 4 - H.E. Dr. ISRANG's tweeted on his visit of the JCBRN Defence COE


Author: LTC Bernd ALLERT, DEU A

Photos: Ms Hana JURČOVÁ, CZE


*English Translation: Today we visited the JCBRN Defence COE in Vyskov. The COE is hosted by the Czech Armed Forces and 3 specialists from the Bundeswehr serve here. This is another example of professional NATO Nations cooperation.