But Afghanistan was not the only item on NATO’s agenda. From deploying Patriot missiles to Turkey as a defensive precaution, to countering pirates off the Horn of Africa, to strengthening NATO’s capabilities and deepening its cooperation with partner countries, it has been another busy year for the Alliance.
The first of six Patriot missile batteries, which are being deployed to Turkey to defend against possible missile attack from Syria, becomes operational and is placed under NATO command.
In the first visit of any NATO Secretary General to Ireland, Anders Fogh Rasmussen meets Irish leaders and European Union defence ministers in Dublin.
NATO and Australia set out priorities for a bilateral programme of cooperation, further strengthening NATO's partnership with Asia-Pacific countries.
Demonstrating their growing capability, the Afghan Air Force – which is advised by NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan – coordinates its first air assault mission with Afghan Army Special Forces.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen seeks to step up cooperation in talks with President Park Guen-hye and top government officials, during the first-ever visit by a NATO Secretary General to the Republic of Korea. He ends his trip with a short visit to the Demilitarized Zone.
In the spirit of cooperation, NATO forces conduct a joint drill with a Chinese naval ship during counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. A team of Italian marines, deployed as part of NATO’s Ocean Shield, demonstrate a fast-rope insertion onto the deck of the CNS Harbin, Flagship of the Chinese Task Group.
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sign a Joint Political Declaration, providing a framework for the further development of cooperation.
NATO radar surveillance aircraft, known as AWACS, patrol the skies over the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, working with the Royal Netherlands Air Force to safeguard Dutch airspace during the royal investiture ceremonies and festivities.
US Air Force General Philip Mark Breedlove takes over command of Allied Command Operations, during a ceremony at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, in the presence of Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
NATO Defence Ministers endorse the concept for the new NATO-led mission that will train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces after 2014, when the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force ends.
