81581 ARRC Imjin Magazine_A4_32pp_Summer25_Draft 4 | Page 25

Krakow, Poland – From 7-11 April 2025, the ARRC G9 team, led by ACOS Colonel Sijbrandi, conducted visits to their Civil- Military Cooperation( CIMIC) counterparts from the 2nd Polish Corps and the 11th Territorial Defence Force Brigade( TDF) in Krakow. The visits was part of the broader branch-focused training aiming at enhancing interoperability, increase understanding of the operational environment and strengthen the bonds with our partners.

The discussions during this visit focused on three main topics:

1. NATO and the role of domestic CIMIC within Peace, Crises, and Conflict: The teams explored the integration of civil factors into military operations, emphasizing the importance of CIMIC in achieving the understanding across different operational contexts.

2. Role of TDF and domestic CIMIC in Resilience: The discussions highlighted the significance of TDF and domestic CIMIC in building societal resilience. This includes ensuring civil preparedness against various threats and enhancing the ability of societies to withstand and recover from chock and crises like natural disasters and war.

3. Liaison Mechanisms with NATO member states: Effective liaison mechanisms were discussed to ensure seamless cooperation between the ARRC and the Polish units.

As part of the exercise, the team also visited the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps. This visit served as a poignant reminder of the historical significance of the region and the atrocities committed during World War II and the price that civilians risk paying during war. The team paid their respects to the victims and reflected on the importance of preserving history to learn from it.

Following the discussions in Krakow, the HQ ARRC G9 CIMIC team visited the Military Training Centre for Foreign Operations( MTCFO) in Kielce. Here, they focused on the CIMIC department’ s role within domestic CIMIC and their specialized training programs. The visit included a tour of the facilities and demonstration of the MTCFO team’ s training to enhance the operational readiness of polish military personnel for international missions.

Colonel Sijbrandi emphasized the importance of these interactions in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between military forces, stating.“ Our engagements with the Polish CIMIC teams have been incredibly productive. The insights gained here will undoubtedly contribute to the success of our combined operations,”

ARRCADE LIAISON continues to underscore ARRC’ s commitment to

collective defence and operational excellence. The collaboration between HQ ARRC G9, 2 POL Corps G9 and Polish CIMIC teams exemplifies the spirit of unity and shared purpose that drives military missions.