Maj. Gen. (Select) Steven G. Edwards, second from right, assumes command of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe from Maj. Gen. David H. Tabor, right, in a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, June 28, 2022. Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of U.S. European Command, left, presided over the ceremony, with Gen. Richard D. Clarke, commander of Special Operations Command in attendance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Isabelle S. Dickey-Kappenman)
Munsch assumes command of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa
2:24 PM6/28/2022
Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, left, assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Forces Command Naples from Adm. Robert P. Burke, second from left, during a change of command ceremony held in Lago Patria, Italy, June 27, 2022. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, the commander of U.S. European Command and North Atlantic Treaty Organization Supreme Allied Commander Europe, center, and Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, the commander of U.S. Africa Command, served as the presiding officers of the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo)
USAFE-AFAFRICA, NATO Allied Air Command welcome new commander
8:37 AM6/28/2022
U.S. Air Force Gens. Tod D. Wolters, the commander of U.S. European Command, left, and Jeffrey L. Harrigian, the outgoing commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command, right, look on as Gen. James B. Hecker receives the USAFE-AFAFRICA guidon from Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David W. Allvin. The change of command ceremony was held at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Edward "Hertz" Vaughan, USEUCOM's deputy director for security cooperation, policy, partnering and space capabilities, met with Bulgarian Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov on June 8, 2022 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Vaughan thanked Eftimov for Bulgaria's security leadership in the Balkans and Black Sea regions and the two discussed opportunities for further bilateral and Allied security cooperation.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. "Hertz" Vaughan walks the flight line at Graf Ingatievo Air Base with Bulgarian Brig. Gen. "Hunter" Rusev, base commander, on June 7, 2022. The two fighter pilots toured the Soviet-era fighter jet flying operation and discussed Bulgaria's transition to the NATO interoperable F-16 fighter jet.
The USEUCOM team and U.S. Embassy Sofia defense team pose for a photo with Major General Mateev and staff at the Bulgarian Joint Special Operations Command near Plovdiv, Bulgaria on June 7, 2022. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. "Hertz" Vaughan and a team of USEUCOM security cooperation professionals visited Bulgaria to discuss current and future security cooperation with Bulgarian defense leaders.
Bulgarian Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. "Hertz" Vaughan discuss infrastructure planning in Sofia, Bulgaria on June 8, 2022. Bulgarian leaders are planning additional infrastructure upgrades at training areas throughout the country to enhance multi-domain training opportunities.
USEUCOM, NATO Staff Talks Reinforce Collaboration and Synchronization
8:57 AM6/9/2022
U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Command Europe leaders met the week of June 8 for staff talks, reinforcing the strong collaboration and synchronization between the two organizations. The staff talks were initiated in 2018 to strengthen transparency and understanding between the U.S. and NATO. German Navy Adm. Joachim Ruhle led the SHAPE staff, and Maj. Gen. Lamontagne led the USEUCOM Staff.
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert V. Abernethy passes the guide-on in a change of responsibility ceremony for U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Abernethy, a South Carolina native, assumed responsibility from Chief Master Sgt. Phillip L. Easton, who served as the command's top enlisted adviser since August 2019. The EUCOM senior enlisted leader will lead more than 82,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians across 400 bases, while coordinating with five component commands and encouraging professional development and capacity building among European Allies and Partners.
Chief Master Sgt. Phillip L. Easton, outgoing Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. European Command, speaks during the change of responsibility ceremony, Stuttgart, Germany, Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Command Master Sgt. Robert V. Abernethy, a South Carolina native, assumed responsibility from Easton, who served as the command's top enlisted adviser since August 2019. The EUCOM senior enlisted leader will lead more than 82,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians across 400 bases, while coordinating with five component commands and encouraging professional development and capacity building among European Allies and Partners.
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert V. Abernethy, incoming Senior Enlisted Leader for U.S. European Command speaks during his change of responsibility ceremony, Stuttgart, Germany, Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Abernethy, a South Carolina native, assumed responsibility from Chief Master Sgt. Phillip L. Easton, who served as the command's top enlisted adviser since August 2019. The EUCOM senior enlisted leader will lead more than 82,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians across 400 bases, while coordinating with five component commands and encouraging professional development and capacity building among European Allies and Partners.
US European Command Welcomes New Senior Enlisted Leader
2:52 PM6/7/2022
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Robert V. Abernethy, a South Carolina native, assumed responsibility from U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Phillip Easton, who served as the command’s top enlisted adviser since August 2019.
US Secretary of Defense to Host Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting June 15 in Brussels
8:41 AM6/7/2022
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov attend the Ukraine Defense Consultative Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 26, 2022. Austin met with his NATO counterparts and over 40 other nations to discuss both the current and future defense needs of Ukraine. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)