Images

Representatives from Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and the United States pose for a group photo during the Baltic Architecture and Governance working groups in Stuttgart, Germany, July 15-18, 2024.

A B-52H Stratofortress from the 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., makes its initial landing at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania, in support of Bomber Task Force Deployment 24-4, July 21, 2024. The lethal, long-range strike capabilities provided by strategic bombers influence the decision making of our nation’s competitors and adversaries by ensuring they know that the cost of military aggression would be outweighed by any potential gain. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Seth Watson)

A pair of B-52H Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., fly in formation alongside Romanian and Finnish fighter jets as part of Bomber Task Force deployment 24-4, July 21, 2024. BTF 24-4 underpins the NATO alliance’s collective deterrence and commitment to defending the Euro-Atlantic region from hostile actions. (Courtesy Photo)

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, refuels a B-52H Stratofortress from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., while escorted by a Finnish F/A-18C Hornet during Bomber Task Force deployment 24-4, July 21, 2024. The U.S. military works alongside NATO allies and partners to ensure a safe, stable, and secure Euro-Atlantic region by increasing military capabilities, readiness, and interoperability. (Courtesy Photo)

Two B-52H Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., fly in formation with fighter jets from Romania and Finland as they arrive at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania, in support of Bomber Task Force Deployment 24-4, July 21, 2024. The U.S. military works alongside NATO Allies and partners to ensure a safe, stable, and secure Euro-Atlantic region by increasing military capabilities, readiness, and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Seth Watson)

New York National Guard holds National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program signing ceremony with the Kingdom of Sweden, at One World Trade Center, in Manhattan, on July 12, 2024. The State Partnership Program pairs state National Guard’s with the militaries of countries around the world in bilateral training and exchange partnerships. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Lt. Col Jean Marie Kratzer)

A U.S. Marine with the II Marine Expeditionary Force shakes hands with a Swedish Army soldier with Gotland Regiment's 181st Armored Battalion during exercise Baltic Operations 24 in Gotland, Sweden, June 15, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Andy O. Martinez)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. James R. Kriesel, U.S. European Command's director of exercises and assessments and Finnish Army Brig. Gen. Manu Tuominen, Finnish Defense Forces' assistant chief of staff for training meet with Finnish conscripts during an official visit to Finland July 9-11, 2024.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. James R. Kriesel, U.S. European Command's director of exercises and assessments, conducted an official visit to Finland July 9-11, 2024, to learn more about the Finnish military conscription system along with the exercise and training programs of the Finnish Army and Air Forces. The bilateral military visit was hosted by Finnish Army Brig. Gen. Manu Tuominen, Finnish Defense Forces' assistant chief of staff for training.

On July 10, 2024, the U.S. certified a new BAK-12 system, designed to protect fighter aircraft in emergency situations, to the Slovakian Ministry of Defense in advance of the arrival of Slovak F-16s later this month. By putting the BAK-12 arresting system into operation at Malacky Air Base, Slovakia, our Allies take another significant step to accommodate modern aircraft into their fleet and to bolster collective deterrence and defense of the Euro-Atlantic. The ceremony included a demonstration of the new system by aircraft from the U.S. Air Force's 510th Fighter Squadron, based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, and remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Gautam Rana, who expressed his appreciation to Slovak and U.S. Air Force personnel and highlighted the work Slovakia has done to strengthen its defense capabilities.

Members of the Croatian Armed Forces and the Minnesota National Guard work together as part of a blue team during the Adriatic Regional Security Cyber Cooperation exercise at the Slovenian Armed Forces Baron Andrej Čehovin barracks in Postojna, Slovenia, July 5, 2024. The two-week cyber security training event included representatives from six Adriatic nations working alongside their U.S. National Guard counterparts.

Maryland Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Custead, a cyber operator with the 276th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, supports as a red team member during the Adriatic Regional Security Cyber Cooperation exercise at the Slovenian Armed Forces Baron Andrej Čehovin barracks in Postojna, Slovenia, July 5, 2024. The two-week cyber security training event included representatives from six Adriatic nations working alongside their U.S. National Guard counterparts.

Maryland Army National Guard Sgt. Emmanuel Unaka, cyber threat intelligence analyst with Cyber Protection Team 169, listens to Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina Lt. Armin Kolašinac, a Security Operations Center member, as part of a blue team during the Adriatic Regional Security Cyber Cooperation exercise at the Slovenian Armed Forces Baron Andrej Čehovin barracks in Postojna, Slovenia, July 5, 2024. The two-week cyber security training event included representatives from six Adriatic nations working alongside their U.S. National Guard counterparts.

American and Swedish Marines side-by-side in a Swedish Stridsbat 90 during Archipelago Endeavor 23 in Sweden.

As part of a two-day official visit to Lithuania, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, deputy director of U.S. European Command's J5 Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Directorate, and Chief of the Lithuanian Defense Staff Maj. Gen. Mindaugas Steponavičius, hosted the first-ever USEUCOM-Lithuania military staff talks June 13-14, 2024, in capital city Vilnius. During the trip, the two senior military officials also surveyed the surroundings from the Queen Louise Bridge, a bridge over the Nemunas River on the Lithuanian-Russian border, and conducted aerial reconnaissance of the Suwalki Gap, a sparsely populated area between Lithuania and Poland that critically serves as the only land route between the Baltic states and the rest of NATO. The trip underscored USEUCOM's commitment to security throughout the Baltics, notably Lithuania, a frontline NATO Ally on Europe's eastern flank.

As part of a two-day official visit to Lithuania, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, deputy director of U.S. European Command's J5 Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Directorate, and Chief of the Lithuanian Defense Staff Maj. Gen. Mindaugas Steponavičius, hosted the first-ever USEUCOM-Lithuania military staff talks June 13-14, 2024, in capital city Vilnius. During the trip, the two senior military officials also surveyed the surroundings from the Queen Louise Bridge, a bridge over the Nemunas River on the Lithuanian-Russian border, and conducted aerial reconnaissance of the Suwalki Gap, a sparsely populated area between Lithuania and Poland that critically serves as the only land route between the Baltic states and the rest of NATO. The trip underscored USEUCOM's commitment to security throughout the Baltics, notably Lithuania, a frontline NATO Ally on Europe's eastern flank.

As part of a two-day official visit to Lithuania, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, deputy director of U.S. European Command's J5 Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Directorate, and Chief of the Lithuanian Defense Staff Maj. Gen. Mindaugas Steponavičius, hosted the first-ever USEUCOM-Lithuania military staff talks June 13-14, 2024, in capital city Vilnius. During the trip, the two senior military officials also surveyed the surroundings from the Queen Louise Bridge, a bridge over the Nemunas River on the Lithuanian-Russian border, and conducted aerial reconnaissance of the Suwalki Gap, a sparsely populated area between Lithuania and Poland that critically serves as the only land route between the Baltic states and the rest of NATO. The trip underscored USEUCOM's commitment to security throughout the Baltics, notably Lithuania, a frontline NATO Ally on Europe's eastern flank.

As part of a two-day official visit to Lithuania, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, deputy director of U.S. European Command's J5 Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Directorate, and Chief of the Lithuanian Defense Staff Maj. Gen. Mindaugas Steponavičius, hosted the first-ever USEUCOM-Lithuania military staff talks June 13-14, 2024, in capital city Vilnius. During the trip, the two senior military officials also surveyed the surroundings from the Queen Louise Bridge, a bridge over the Nemunas River on the Lithuanian-Russian border, and conducted aerial reconnaissance of the Suwalki Gap, a sparsely populated area between Lithuania and Poland that critically serves as the only land route between the Baltic states and the rest of NATO. The trip underscored USEUCOM's commitment to security throughout the Baltics, notably Lithuania, a frontline NATO Ally on Europe's eastern flank.

During Coronat Mask 2024, Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Reconnaissance Platoon joined more than 800 CBRN specialists from 13 NATO nations to exercise collective CBRN capabilities. The exercise, the largest CBRN exercise in Europe, included hundreds of pieces of specialized equipment to hone CBRN defense capacity, strengthen multinational interoperability to respond to crisis, and share experiences and tactics.

During Coronat Mask 2024, Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Reconnaissance Platoon joined more than 800 CBRN specialists from 13 NATO nations to exercise collective CBRN capabilities. The exercise, the largest CBRN exercise in Europe, included hundreds of pieces of specialized equipment to hone CBRN defense capacity, strengthen multinational interoperability to respond to crisis, and share experiences and tactics.

During Coronat Mask 2024, Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Reconnaissance Platoon joined more than 800 CBRN specialists from 13 NATO nations to exercise collective CBRN capabilities. The exercise, the largest CBRN exercise in Europe, included hundreds of pieces of specialized equipment to hone CBRN defense capacity, strengthen multinational interoperability to respond to crisis, and share experiences and tactics.

During Coronat Mask 2024, Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Reconnaissance Platoon joined more than 800 CBRN specialists from 13 NATO nations to exercise collective CBRN capabilities. The exercise, the largest CBRN exercise in Europe, included hundreds of pieces of specialized equipment to hone CBRN defense capacity, strengthen multinational interoperability to respond to crisis, and share experiences and tactics.

During Coronat Mask 2024, Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Reconnaissance Platoon joined more than 800 CBRN specialists from 13 NATO nations to exercise collective CBRN capabilities. The exercise, the largest CBRN exercise in Europe, included hundreds of pieces of specialized equipment to hone CBRN defense capacity, strengthen multinational interoperability to respond to crisis, and share experiences and tactics.

During Coronat Mask 2024, Soldiers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Reconnaissance Platoon joined more than 800 CBRN specialists from 13 NATO nations to exercise collective CBRN capabilities. The exercise, the largest CBRN exercise in Europe, included hundreds of pieces of specialized equipment to hone CBRN defense capacity, strengthen multinational interoperability to respond to crisis, and share experiences and tactics.

U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe – bookended by Amb. Kate Marie Byrnes, civilian deputy and foreign policy advisor to U.S. European Command, and Croatian Lt. Gen. Tihomir Kundid, chief of the Croatian Armed Forces General Staff – leads discussion as co-host of the 2024 Central Europe Chiefs of Defense conference held in Split, Croatia, from June 10-11, 2024. “Venues like this one provide a forum to share ideas and to continue our strategic dialogue which is always aimed toward a free and prosperous Europe,” Cavoli said.

Chief Master Sergeant Michael McCarty, representing U.S. European Command' Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sgt. Maj. Rob Abernathy, and Croatian Command Sgt. Maj. Dalibor Dumbović, sergeant major of the Croatian Army, co-host a meeting of senior enlisted leaders as part of the 2024 Central Europe Chiefs of Defense conference in Split, Croatia, June 10. The meeting provided an opportunity for senior enlisted leaders form Central Europe nations and their U.S. National Guard counterparts to strengthen military ties, address ongoing security challenges, enhance mutual understanding, and improve interoperability and joint training development.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Robert Dodd, assigned to the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron performs liquid oxygen maintenance at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England June 3, 2024. Strategic bomber missions enhance the readiness and training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant 1st Dawson Holien, assigned to the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron performs maintenance at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England June 3, 2024. These BTF missions are representative of the U.S.Õ extended deterrent commitment to our Allies and partners and enhance regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer)

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England May 29, 2024. The presence of U.S. military assets highlights commitment to NATO's efforts, ensuring peace and security in the European region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer)

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deploys a parachute at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England May 29, 2024. U.S. participation in NATO-led training missions ensures preparedness and reinforces collective defense commitment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer)

Capt. Fanny Chollet, Swiss Air Force Test Pilot Student, prepares for a flight for Air Force Test Pilot School located at Edwards Air Force Base. After graduating from Air Force Test Pilot School on June 8, 2024, she will be the first female test pilot. Capt. Chollet is also the first female fighter pilot for the Swiss Air Force. (Air Force Photo by Mary Kozaitis)