An Exclusive Interview with U.S Army Europe and Africa-3 (Part-2)

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An exclusive interview with the Spokesperson of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, conducted by Editor in Chief (Part-2)

 

 

Q 4. The Commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, General Cavoli, visited Finland 10-12 January. The event was described in the framework of Army Arctic training. What could be emphasized about this training, and the special relations that exist between the United States and the Finnish Defence Forces? 

U.S Army Europe and Africa Spokesperson: Last month, Gen. Cavoli conducted an official visit with our Finnish partners, to include Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces Gen. Timo Kivinen and Chief of the Finnish Army  Lt. Gen. Petri Hulkko.  These joint meetings reinforced the shared defense goals between these two nations. The U.S. and Finnish joint military partnership was formally solidified when Finland joined the  Partnership for Peace program in 1994 and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997.  As a fellow Arctic nation, the United States is dedicated to maintaining readiness in the region and training with Finland, an Arctic partner that has vast experience dealing with the challenges of the High North. The U.S. and Finland also coordinate with other Arctic nations on the Arctic Council, ensuring peace and security in the region.

This trip proved invaluable as our Finnish and U.S. military colleagues discussed and observed Arctic military training, and the U.S. leadership gained a broader understanding of the country’s unique and incredible terrain.

Q 5. In November 2020 the Army re-activated its V Corps in Europe, by establishing the  Headquarters in Poland. Was this decision part of enhancing military cooperation between the U.S and Poland?

U.S Army Europe and Africa Spokesperson:  V Corps has a strong and enduring heritage in the European theater, and we are excited to continue that legacy. The V Corps’ history dates back to 1918, when the unit was activated during World War I in combat in France. It was inactivated in 2013, after nearly a century of prestigious service to the U.S. at Wiesbaden’s Schloss Biebrich. 

The new V Corps Forward Headquarters was activated in Poznan, Poland, on Nov. 20, 2020.  Prior to selecting the location for the headquarters, the Army conducted a comprehensive analysis to determine the most suitable location for the headquarters. The factors analyzed included resources such as the facilities’ availability, condition and serviceability; network infrastructure; and transportation proximity.

Q 6. Could you please give us a background picture of the Army V Corps (in Europe). And with its new military setting what critical role it will play within NATO?

U.S Army Europe and Africa Spokesperson: The return of V Corps to Europe enhances security in the region and reassures our NATO allies and partners of the United States’ ironclad commitment to NATO and partner nations. The primary mission of the new forward headquarters will be to conduct operational planning, mission command and oversight of the rotational forces in Europe. It will also provide additional capability to support allies and partners in the region.

The activation of V Corps provides the needed level of command and control, focused on synchronizing U.S. Army, allied and partner nation tactical formations operating in Europe. V  Corps will allow U.S. land forces to support more exercises and training opportunities with our allies and partners, increasing readiness and our ability to deter potential adversaries. 

Overall, the new headquarters strengthens our tactical readiness and increases our ability to employ our forces.

Q 7. Please tell us how the U.S Army Europe and Africa is coping with the Covid-19 pandemic, and how is going ahead with the immunization process?

U.S Army Europe and Africa Spokesperson: 2020 has shown us that no matter how hard we try we can’t predict what will happen. To preserve the safety and readiness of the force and comply with Department of Defense, Department of the Army and host nation directed mitigation measures, U.S. Army Europe and Africa has taken the steps to integrate COVID-19 prevention and protection measures into planning considerations for all exercises.

While COVID-19 impacted our planning timelines for some exercises, we are now able to execute planned exercises with negligible differences. We maximize the use of mitigation techniques such as masks, enhanced sanitation, physical distancing and rotational shift work to ensure readiness. Critical to this endeavor will be the strict COVID prevention and mitigation strategy implemented by U.S. and participating nations. The adjustment of military exercises reflects the reality that we must maintain peak readiness while acting responsibly to prevent the spread of COVID.

In addition, the U.S. government has purchased COVID-19 vaccines and is making them available to the Department of Defense for distribution and administration to DOD personnel. The distribution process is phase-driven to protect our military community from COVID-19 as quickly as possible. As U.S. Army Europe and Africa works through vaccinating our healthcare personnel and first  responders, we are also looking at our highly deployable and mission essential forces here in Europe and our high-risk populations. After that, we’ll be able to focus on our healthy service members, civilians, families, retirees not part of the high-risk population, etc. For more information and resources on U.S. Department of Defense coronavirus-related subjects visit: https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/

News from:  U.S KFOR Regional Command East               

KFOR Regional Command East Religious Support Teams               NATO-KFOR

*The Interview is subject to Copyright Law.  ©The United States Army Europe and Africa /U.S. Army/U.S. European Command/U.S. Europe World Affairs.com.