Category Archives: U.S Armed Forces in the World

U.S Army Europe and its 7th Training Command

Activated first in 1943,  the 7th Army Training Command  is the largest U.S Army Training Command outside of the United States, based in Germany, Europe.   With its leading role in training the Military Forces of allied and partner nations, the 7th Army Training Command has an expanded scope that goes well beyond the NATO– covering the globe. 

The 7th Army Training Command trains how to enhance the joint multinational interoperability, it trains to maintain the high readiness in the event of land operations, it trains how to combat…….how to liberate……, how to place the lasting cornerstone that asserts and upholds the global Security and Peace in every region.  

 

@7thATC

 

Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief

The National Day of Prayer in the United States 2017

Excerpt from President Trump’s speech on the National Day of Prayer  

Excerpt of the President’s speech at National Prayer Breakfast  in Washington DC, February 2, 2017

“Freedom is not a gift from government, but that Freedom is a gift from God” 

But we are all united by our faith in our Creator and our firm knowledge that we are all equal in His eyes.  We are not just flesh and bone and blood.  We are human beings, with souls.  Our Republic was formed on the basis that freedom is not a gift from government, but that freedom is a gift from God.”

“It was the great Thomas Jefferson who said,  

 “The God who gave us life, gave us liberty.”  

Jefferson asked, “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?

Among those freedoms is the right to worship according to our own beliefs.  That is why I will get rid of, and totally destroy, the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution.  I will do that — remember.”

“America will succeed as long as our most vulnerable citizens — and we have some that are so vulnerable — have a path to success.  And America will thrive as long as we continue to have faith in each other and faith in God.

That faith in God has inspired men and women to sacrifice for the needy, to deploy to wars overseas, and to lock arms at home, to ensure equal rights for every man, woman and child in our land.  It’s that faith that sent the pilgrims across the oceans, the pioneers across the plains, and the young people all across America to chase their dreams.  They are chasing their dreams.  We are going to bring those dreams back.  

As long as we have God, we are never, ever alone.  

Whether it’s the soldier on the night watch or the single parent on the night shift, God will always give us solace and strength and comfort.”

 “That’s why President Eisenhower and Senator Carlson had the wisdom to gather together 64 years ago to begin this truly great tradition.  But that’s not all they did together.  Let me tell you the rest of the story.  Just one year later, Senator Carlson was among the members of Congress to send to the President’s desk a joint resolution that added “under God” to our Pledge of Allegiance.

That’s a great thing. Because that’s what we are and that is what we will always be, and that is what our people want:  one beautiful nation, under God.”

 

Acknowledgments: Excerpts of President Trump’s speech on the National Day of Prayer May 2017 ©The White House. Image: President Donald Trump Inauguration January 20, 2017 @ Fox News. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief. 

The U.S Army Europe and the 7th Army Training Command in Combined Resolve VIII

The U.S-European Armed Forces are participating in one of the most crucial exercises of the U.S Army Europe:                                                             Combined Resolved VIII

The exercise is launched on April 19th and is under leadership of the United States 7th Army Command based in Germany, will be continued through June 16.  The participants of over 3,400 Soldiers are from the Armed Forces of  Albania, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine, and the United States. 

Described by the U.S Army Europe/the 7th Army Training Command

The Exercise Combined Resolve VIII consists of three phases.

  • The first phase includes a combined arms live-fire exercise on the Grafenwoehr Training Area.
  • The Second phase will include a command post exercise
  • And the last phase will then include force-on-force maneuver training at the U.S Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels.  April 13, 2017 © US Army Europe/7th ATC

The central objectives: to strengthen U.S-European Armed/Rotational Forces and enhance their interoperability.  

Sources: U.S Army Europe Public Affairs/The 7th Army Training Command. 

By Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief (Copyrighted material)

The United States Military Strike on Syrian Airfield and the Global Endorsements

The United States, historically,  has been always the ultimate hope when all others failed.                      Despite the false media propaganda of  authoritarian systems, the United States with its  enduring philosophical stance for defending Humanity—has immensely been….. the timeless Force of Liberator…..for those afflicted in suffering, imprisonment or chains.

In response to the recent chemical attack by the Syrian regime on its own people including children, President Trump  ordered  Military Strikes on Syrian airfield– sending a strong message that the United States will not stay silent where such an atrocity had been committed.     

April 2017 was not the first time that the Syrian government, with the similar pretexts or denial, fired the chemical weapons on its civilians. In the  previous years the regime in Damascus had also carried out such an internationally prohibited means.

The use of chemical weapons against innocent people will not be tolerated.  Stated the U.S Department of Defense April 6 2017 

The United States strike operations were launched on April 6 U.S EDT  (4:40 a.m, April 7, local  time-Syria) on Al Shayrat airfield in Syria– and were endorsed by most countries around the World, all European governments including France, Israel and Germany.                                                                                                                            

“The strike was conducted using Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) launched from the destroyers USS Porter and  USS Ross  in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.  A total of 59 TLAMs targeted aircraft, hardened aircraft shelters, petroleum and logistical storage, ammunition supply bunkers, air defense systems, and radars.   As always, the U.S. took extraordinary measures to avoid civilian casualties and to comply with the Law of Armed Conflict.  Every precaution was taken to execute this strike with minimal risk to personnel at the airfield.                                                                                                   The strike was a proportional response to Assad’s heinous act. Shayrat Airfield was used to store chemical weapons and Syrian air forces. Elaborated the Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Davis. April 6, 2017 © DoD

“Tonight, I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched.  It is in this vital national security interest of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons.  There can be no dispute  that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, and ignored the urging of the U.N. Security Council.”  Statement by President Donald Trump April 6 2017 © The White House Press Secretary office

“The Syrian regime bears the full responsibility for this development. NATO has consistently condemned Syria’s continued use of chemical weapons as a clear breach of international norms and agreements.  Any use of chemical weapons is unacceptable, cannot go unanswered, and those responsible must be held accountable. NATO considers the use of chemical weapons as a threat to international peace and security.”   NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg April 7, 2017 © NATO

Minister of Defense, Claus Hjort Frederiksen of Denmark, supports the U.S Military action during the night between Thursday and Friday against an airbase in central Syria. (Unofficial translation) 

“With this action, the United States has sent a clear and unambiguous signal to the Assad-regime in Damascus that the use of chemical weapons will not be tolerated and will have clear consequences. The Danish government supports the US military action, and I consider the US reaction completely appropriate in light of the heinous and horrifying nature of the chemical weapons attack against civilians in northern Syria a few days ago,”  Stated Minister of Defense, Claus Hjort Frederiksen. April 7, 2017 © Ministry of Defense of Denmark/The Diplomatic Mission of Denmark to U.S.A  

Denmark supports the U.S response to the abuses carried out against the Syrian civilian population. (Unofficial translation) 

“The government supports the U.S reaction to the Assad regime’s gruesome abuses against the Syrian civilian population. I appreciate that the pressure on Assad is now increasing. It must be clear that attacks with chemical weapons against civilians are not acceptable.”  Expressed Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen. April 7, 2017 © MFA of Denmark/The Diplomatic Mission of Denmark to U.S.A  

“The United Kingdom  supports the U.S. air strike on the Al Shayrat airfield because war crimes have consequences.”  Ambassador Matthew Rycroft, UK Permanent Representative to the UN. April 7, 2017 © UK Foreign Office

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has welcomed U.S strikes on a Syrian airfield last night, saying they were ‘limited and appropriate’. Announced the UK MoD April 7, 2017 © UK MoD 

“U.S strikes show needed resolve against barbaric chemical attacks. EU will work with the US to end brutality in Syria.”  President of European Council, Donald Tusk.  April 7, 2017

We support the United States in that swift action. We hope and pray we will see the end of the use of chemical weapons in Syria.”  Prime Minister of Australia Malcom Turnbull  April 7 2017 © PM Malcolm’s Office

Canada fully supports the United States limited and focused action to degrade the Assad regime’s ability to launch chemical weapons attacks against innocent civilians, including many children. President Assad’s use of chemical weapons and the crimes the Syrian regime has committed against its own people cannot be ignored. These gruesome attacks cannot be permitted to continue with impunity.”  Statement by PM of Canada, Justin Trudeau April 7, 2017 © Prime Minister’s office

“This week we were shocked by the horrific images coming out of Syria. Hundreds of innocent men, women and children fell victim to the devastating effects of toxic gas. Many did not survive. The use of toxic gas is a crime against humanity – the worst kind of violence and depravity. The international community cannot take too clear a stand against it. Unfortunately, this week Russia and China blocked a resolution in the UN Security Council against Syria. Once again, efforts to form a united front through international law hit a dead end.   A few hours ago  the United States sent a clear message  that, with the use of toxic gas, a line has been crossed. In the current circumstances this is a proportionate response. The Dutch government considers this understandable. It is a warning to Assad that the deployment of chemical weapons is unacceptable.”  Announcement by the government of the Netherlands April 7 2017 © MFA of the Netherlands

“The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the missile strikes launched by the United States on the Al-Shayrat air base in Syria are an adequate response to prevent a repeated use of chemical weapons against Syria’s civilians. This is a clear signal that the proliferation and use of chemical weapons is not to be tolerated.” Announced the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Latvia, April 7, 2017 © Communications Directorate of the MFA of Latvia 

 

Acknowledgment:  Image: The guided-missile destroyer USS Porter “Freedom’s Champion” in the Mediterranean Sea, conducting Naval Operations. April 7, 2017 © U.S Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ford Williams.

By Editor in Chief,  Catherine Stella Schmidt  (Copy righted material)       

 

U.S Naval Force in NATO Maritime Exercise Dynamic Manta 2017

The United States Naval Force in Europe maintains a crucial role in most NATO Maritime Joint-Training…… Maneuver and Exercises — as of recent time in Dynamic Manta in the Mediterranean Sea, the southern coast of Italy.  

The exercise accentuates the aims on increasing the interoperability and proficiency in multi-dimensional-facet of the Naval capacities,  Anti-Submarine and Anti-Surface Warfare in NATO member states.  Dynamic Manta was also carried out in 2015 and 2016, with the similar objectives.                                   This time it is hosted by Italy,  led by NATO and being executed from March 13 to 25.  

    USS Porter (DDG 78) transits the Mediterranean Sea, March 9, 2017 © U.S Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ford Williams

Announced by the U.S Naval Forces in Europe/Africa, the United States has, in addition  to the Naval units, provided:

  • The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) “Freedom’s Champion”
  • A nuclear powered attack submarine assigned to Commander,
  • Task Force CTF 69, two P-8A Poseidons assigned to CTF 67
  • And one P-3 Orion from the U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11. 

“Exercise Dynamic Manta is an excellent way for NATO allies to build resilient warfare capabilities, including anti-submarine warfare capabilities, through realistic training and challenging scenarios.  The chance to participate in an exercise that enhances NATO’s overall multi-lateral operations is a tremendous opportunity, and we look forward to working with all of the participating nations.”  Highlighted Commander  Andria Slough, Commanding Officer of the USS Porter (DDG 78) March 14, 2017 ©U.S Naval Forces Europe/Africa

Participants are also Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, Task Unit U02 (SNMG2 TU02);  the Naval Forces of: Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Turkey, UK and the U.S.  

Sources: U.S Naval Europe/Africa, NATO Maritime Public Affairs   Follow us @USEUWAffairs

By Catherine Stella Schmidt (Copyrighted material) 

 

U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the 75th anniversary

Commitment, partnership…..from 1942 to 2017 the 75th anniversary of U.S. Air Forces in Europe…..flying for  nobel causes. 

usafe-afafrica-2017

January 19,2017 ©U.S Air Force Europe-Africa

From the creation of Eighth Air Force in 1942 to Operation Atlantic Resolve in 2017, U.S. Air Forces in Europe has answered the call to service for 75 years. 
USAFE’s 75th anniversary is Jan. 19, but the command will celebrate the diamond anniversary of the U.S. Air Force presence in Europe on Jan. 23.  Announced by  USAFE Pubic Affairs January 19, 2017  RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany. 

Acknowledgments: Article by Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt   

NATO Ministerial Meetings in Brussels ‘Stability Beyond Borders’

NATO Foreign Ministers meetings, December 6-7 in Brussels, were concluded with the strategic focus on strengthening Transatlantic cooperation and projecting Stability Beyond Borders.

Described by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini,  EU and NATO start new era of cooperation  in 7 areas with the agreement on 42 proposals.  

The areas of focus for more closer cooperation will be on the crucial strategic Defense and Security fields including: Operational Cooperation, Cyber Defense, Maritime Security, Defense Capabilities, Defense Industry/Research, Military Training and Exercise

On his statement Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg  highlighted:                                                                                   “One way of strengthening the bond between North America and Europe is by strengthening the cooperation between NATO and EU. And we have a momentum now when it comes to NATO-EU cooperation. In July, I signed a Joint Declaration with Presidents Tusk and Juncker and at the meeting today we will decide how we turn that declaration into concrete action.”  Dec 6, 2016 ©NATO

  1. Additional: Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the  press conference,  Dec 6 
  2. Remarks by the High Representative Federica Mogherini at the joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Dec 6 2016

Follow us  @USEUWAffairs                            Sources: U.S Mission NATO/NATO Public Affairs

By Catherine Stella Schmidt (Copyrighted material) 

Royal Danish Navy in Standing NATO Maritime Group-2

The Royal Danish Naval vessel Absalon has been deployed to Standing NATO Maritime Group 2  on September 12  to fortify the alliance in Maritime Security and counter-terrorism.                                                     The mighty ship…….seemingly serene……. is equipped with Lynx helicopter and Special Forces with the high reputation for accuracy and agile act when it enters into Operations. 

danish-frigate-hdms-absalon-sep-2016-dk-in-nato

 

 

 

 

September 20, 2016 © DK mission to NATO

 

 

In its recent deployment to Mediterranean Sea as a part of Standing NATO Maritime Group-2, its tasks among others will include:

  • Support for NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour
  • Participation in the exercise Joint Warrior of the coast of Scotland as well as continuous co-training with the other ships in SNMG 2 to increase the maritime operational cooperability in the Alliance
  • Gathering and providing information/ intelligence to NATO’s maritime situational awareness in the Mediterranean Sea
  • To establish NATO-presence and being part of routine Diplomatic visits.  Described by the Denmark’s mission to NATO. September 28 2016 

News from Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
News from Danish Mission to NATO
News from former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Sources: NATO/Denmark mission to NATO

By Catherine Stella Schmidt  (Copyrighted material)

The U.S leadership in the World

A new book by former Secretary General of NATO  and the Prime Minister of DenmarkAnders Fogh Rasmussen
Additional recommendation:  The World America Made by Robert Kagan
 
 
Image: Courtesy of US Air Force Europe/Africa  January 2016 
By Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt 
 
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