The 11^th iteration of Introduction to the Planning of Joint Operations course took place at the International Courses Department (ICD) of Armed Forces Academy of GEN M. R, Stefanik (AFA) on April 22^nd – 26^th 2024. It is a NATO-certified course and senior officers from NATO partner countries are regularly participating in it. This time it was attended by three representatives from Georgia, one from Armenia and one from Algeria. Four members of the Ukrainian Army also completed the course thanks to the NATO DEEP program. In addition to them, nine officers from the Armed Forces of Slovak Republic and one member of AFA also took part at the course.

The aim of this short-term course was to familiarize participants with NATO doctrines and procedures and to prepare them for the NATO planning process. The graduates of the course have gained the knowledge, which enables them to work within the Joint Operational Planning Group at the International Headquarters and to prepare operational plans that include all relevant factors for effective and successful execution of joint NATO operations and help to implement the planning processes in practice.

The course was solemnly ended by the speech the rector of the Armed Forces Academy of GEN. M. R. Stefanik, BG Aurel Sabó. He pointed out the importance of the acquired knowledge and its use in practice, thanked foreign and Slovak students for their participation and excellent handling of the course and appreciated the cooperation within NATO and partner countries in organizing such an activity.

Students who participated in the course appreciated the work in an international environment as well as organization and overall running of the course. Foreign students expressed their enthusiasm for their stay in Liptovsky Mikulas, where they were enchanted by the beautiful mountain environment, culture of the town and warm welcome of the organizer. They were grateful for the help in assuring their participation as well as the opportunity to take part at such a beneficial course.