Atmosphere full of stimulating ideas, discussions, and inspiring meetings filled the Professional Military Training Center (PMEC) of the Armed Forces Academy of GEN M. R. Stefanik on April 13th, 2026. The 31st Junior Command and Staff Officers’ Course was enriched by the visit of members of the Spanish contingent of the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Spain, who have been stationed in the territory of the Slovak Republic. Military attaché of the Kingdom of Spain to the Slovak Republic, COL Francesco Martinez, was a part of the delegation and presented the current security challenges and their consequences for the troops of NATO countries deployed on the eastern wing of the Alliance.

The first lecture included a presentation of the history and main tasks of the Alliance headquarters of the corps deployed in the Kingdom of Spain and the Corps Forward Element, which is currently located at the air base of the Slovak Air Force in Kuchyna due to the current situational overview of the corps commander in the area of operation and communication with national representatives of the Slovak Republic.

During the second lecture, the course participants were introduced to the main capabilities of the multinational brigade group, deployed at the Lest Training Center, and its inclusion within the main tasks related to deterrence and defense of the territory of the Slovak Republic. A substantial part of the lecture focused on the organizational structure of the brigade group, supplemented by the program of exercises for 2026, in which it will participate.

At the end of the meeting, on behalf of the Director of PMEC, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Chovanec thanked the Spanish officers with appreciation to their contribution to the training of officers of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic. He briefly presented the potential for further development of bilateral relations, especially in the field of career training of professional soldiers.