Defender Europe 21 DV Day

What we are attempting to do, is improve our strategic transparency and alignment. Something that hasn’t been done with this scope and scale since the 1940’s.

By U.S. European Command Public Affairs , United States European Command Stuttgart, Germany May 04, 2021

Gallery contains 11 images

Defender Europe 21 officially began today with an opening ceremony at the port in Durrës, Albania hosted by Ilir Meta, President of Albania with remarks from Gen. Tod Wolters, Commander, USEUCOM, in Durrës, Albania.

Gen. Wolters said “What we are attempting to do, is improve our strategic transparency and alignment. Something that hasn’t been done with this scope and scale since the 1940’s.”

Building on the success of last year’s exercise, DEFENDER-Europe 21 includes a greater number of NATO Ally and partner nations conducting activities over a wider area than what was planned for in 2020. More than 28,000 multinational forces from 26 nations will conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in a dozen countries.

Visit the DE21 homepage to find out more.

Click HERE to watch a video of the ceremony.

To read a transcript of Gen. Wolters' remarks, click HERE.

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Military leaders from the Adriatic Charter nations and observer states discussed security challenges and opportunities in the western Balkans and reaffirmed their steadfast support to Ukraine in its fight for democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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The staff talks also provided an overview of each command’s progress in transitioning from out-of-area operations to collective territorial defense, a vital component of realizing the modernized, regional defense plans agreed to at the NATO Vilnius Summit in 2023.

U.S., Adriatic Charter military leaders discuss collective deterrence amid chronic Russian threat

Dragons Duel at U.S. European Command innovation competition

“Dragon’s Lair” let U.S. military members pitch their inventions to a panel of generals and senior civilians

SHAPE, USEUCOM leaders advance NATO integration during staff talks

U.S., Adriatic Charter military leaders discuss collective deterrence amid chronic Russian threat

Dragons Duel at U.S. European Command innovation competition

“Dragon’s Lair” let U.S. military members pitch their inventions to a panel of generals and senior civilians

SHAPE, USEUCOM leaders advance NATO integration during staff talks

Defender Europe 21 DV Day

Gen. Tod Wolters attends DV Day