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USEUCOM hosts Finland, Sweden military leaders for talks
Two Swedish CB90-class fast assault crafts transit behind the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), during small boat operations in support of Steadfast Defender 24, March 7, 2024. Sweden, NATO’s newest member, is integrating with NATO forces during the Alliance’s largest exercise in decades, continuing their long-standing partnership while showcasing NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly to reinforce the defense of Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Danielle Serocki)
Photo by: Petty Officer 1st Class Danielle
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USEUCOM hosts Finland, Sweden military leaders for talks
Two Swedish CB90-class fast assault crafts transit away from the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), during small boat operations in support of Steadfast Defender 24, March 9, 2024. Sweden, NATO’s newest member, is integrating with NATO forces during the Alliance’s largest exercise in decades, continuing their long-standing partnership while showcasing NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly to reinforce the defense of Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Danielle Serocki)
Photo by: Petty Officer 1st Class Danielle
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USEUCOM hosts Finland, Sweden military leaders for talks
Swedish Marines, assigned to 2nd Marine Battalion, in CB90-class fast assault crafts transit towards the well deck of the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), integrating with NATO forces during Steadfast Defender, Feb. 29, 2024. NATO has a long-standing partnership with Sweden, similar to its previous collaboration with Finland before its accession; their participation enhances the strength and security of all member nations and illustrates that NATO's doors remain open. Steadfast Defender 2024, NATO’s largest exercise in decades, will demonstrate NATO’s ability to deploy forces rapidly from across the Alliance to reinforce the defense of Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Danielle Serocki)
Photo by: Petty Officer 1st Class Danielle
Strengthening military ties with NATO’s two newest member nations, U.S. European Command’s Director of Plans, Policy and Strategy, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Russell Driggers, hosted his counterparts from Finland and Sweden for wide-ranging discussions at the command’s Stuttgart, Germany, headquarters Oct. 3, 2024.
Maj. Gen. Sami Nurmi, Finnish Defence Forces’ deputy chief of staff for strategy, and Maj. Gen. Johan Pekkari, Swedish Armed Forces’ director of strategic plans and policy, joined Driggers for the trilateral meeting.
The governments of Finland, Sweden and the U.S. have been meeting regularly to strengthen trilateral ties among the nations and advance regional security and stability. This military-to-military forum provides an opportunity to increase deterrence and hone capabilities and operational effectiveness, while advancing the integration of NATO’s two newest member nations into Alliance institutions and processes.
“The military forces of our three nations have longstanding relationships operating together in the land, air, sea, space and cyber domains. These relationships have continued to develop after years of exercising together in the extremely harsh, demanding environments of the High North,” Driggers, USEUCOM’s two-star general, said.
“America's military relationship with Finland and Sweden not only enhances regional security but also embodies a shared commitment to democratic values and collective defense,” he said.
In advance of the three senior military leaders convening in Germany, their respective staffs conducted in-depth planning and continued work on ongoing initiatives at USEUCOM’s headquarters.
“The collaboration between our three nations is essential to developing our defense capabilities and maintaining regional stability. Strengthening our integration with NATO will further enhance our collective security and readiness,” said Pekkari, the Swedish two-star general.
“Becoming a fully-fledged NATO nation marked a pivotal moment for Finland,” said Nurmi, the Finnish two-star general. “It strengthened our security and deepened our ties with Allies, ensuring we are better equipped to face evolving threats. This commitment not only enhances our national defense but also reinforces the collective security of the Euro-Atlantic region, fostering peace and stability for all.”
Both Finland and Sweden joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1994 and remained non-aligned nations until their formal NATO accession. Finland became a NATO member nation on April 4, 2023, and Sweden on March 7, 2024.
