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Finland, USEUCOM further bilateral cooperation during military staff talks
U.S. Marines assigned to Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), ride in a Finnish Jehu-class landing craft for a raid training event with Finnish soldiers from the Force Protection Brigade in Uppinniemi, Finland, Aug. 17, 2022. The training was part of a bilateral exercise between the Finnish military and 22nd MEU. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Henry Rodriguez)
Photo by: Cpl. Henry Rodriguez II
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Finland, USEUCOM further bilateral cooperation during military staff talks
Defense Command Finland’s Brig. Gen. Tero Ylitalo alongside U.S. European Command’s Brig. Gen. Quaid Quadri, Jr. – discussed a full spectrum of topics, ranging from operational plans and theater strategy to NATO integration and implementation of the Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two nations from August 6-7, 2024.
Photo by: Guard Jaeger Eero Sallinen
On the heels of NATO’s historic 75th anniversary summit last month, Finnish and American military officials met in Finland’s capital city Aug. 6-7, 2024, to further the bonds between the two nations.
The two military delegations – hosted and co-led by Defence Command Finland’s Brig. Gen. Tero Ylitalo alongside U.S. European Command’s Brig. Gen. Quaid Quadri, Jr. – discussed a full spectrum of topics, ranging from operational plans and theater strategy to NATO integration and implementation of the Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two nations.
“While we leverage technology to maintain close communication and coordination between our two commands, nothing replaces the power of face-to-face gatherings to strengthen the professional relationships that we’ve forged through the years,” said Ylitalo, a Finnish Army general and the Defence Command Finland’s chief of plans. “Continuation of close bilateral military cooperation with the U.S. is an important part of being a full-fledged NATO Ally and contributes to NATO's collective defense. This also underscores that Finland and NATO are truly stronger together.”
Finland and the U.S. signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement in December 2023 to enhance opportunities for the two militaries to collaborate and train side by side, enhancing the nations' ability to operate as one in support of NATO. Unanimously approved by the Finnish parliament July 1, 2024, this agreement grants American forces access to 15 of Finland’s military bases for potential use by these forces and will also allow the U.S. to bring defense equipment, supplies, materials and military members to Finland.
On April 4, 2023, Finland officially became the 31st member of NATO, marking a major shift in the security landscape on NATO’s eastern flank by nearly doubling the Alliance’s existing border with Russia.
“Finland and the U.S. have long cooperated on regional and global security, promoting rules-based order and fair trade, countering hybrid threats and exploring ways to further Arctic cooperation,” said Quadri, a U.S. Air Force general and USEUCOM’s deputy director of strategy, plans and capabilities. “Our shared goal of strengthening transatlantic relationships to address the full range of threats facing America and Europe alike only deepens the bonds between our militaries. Together we are ready, postured and well prepared to deter threats and defend the Alliance.”
The Finnish Defence Forces and USEUCOM have long been mutual members of the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable (ASFR), a flag-and-general-officer level, military-to-military forum designed to promote regional understanding and enhance multilateral security cooperation in the High North. ASFR is the longest running military forum focused on the Arctic’s uniquely challenging security dynamics.
Finnish and American forces also are two of the most active militaries training and exercising in the High North to maintain security and stability in the critically-important Arctic region. The importance of U.S. and its NATO Ally forces “building readiness for operations at high latitudes” was highlighted in the U.S. Defense Department’s July 22, 2024, release of its newest Arctic Strategy.
