US-Europe World Affairs

Observed every year on the first Thursday of May, the National Day of Prayer was first established in 1952. And later in 1988 the day was designated by Congress as a time for all faiths to pray for the United States, its leadership, and the world. This important observance has its origin back to 1774, when the first Continental Congress invited the nation to this spiritual event. 

“From the earliest days of our Nation’s journey, America has been guided by the grace of Almighty God.  Beginning with the opening prayer at the First Continental Congress in 1774, our faith has perpetually stood as the summit of our strength, the source of our unity, and the fount of our greatness.  This National Day of Prayer, we thank God for His endless blessings ‑- and we ask Him to grant us fortitude, wisdom, and a renewed spirit of justice as we continue the work to save our country and restore our national promise.” Excerpt from President Trump’s Presidential Proclamation of the National Day of Prayer 2025 ©The White House May 1, 2025

“On this day, may our faiths enable us to sow the seeds of progress in our ever-changing world. Let us resolve to guide our children and grandchildren to embrace freedom for all, to see God in everyone, and to remember that no matter what differences they may have, they, just like we, will always be united by their common humanity.” Excerpt from President Obama’s Presidential Proclamation of the National Day of Prayer 2016 ©The White House May 2016

 “This event is a powerful reminder that prayer has the strength to connect and inspire us, fostering unity across all branches of service and the surrounding communities. Praying together strengthens not only individuals but entire families, creating a ripple effect that builds unit cohesion and enhances readiness for any mission,” Highlighted Maj. Joseph Okpe, Fort Buchanan’s Chaplain, on the National Prayer Luncheon May 1, 2025

The 405th Army Field Support Brigade Europe and Africa joined the Army and the Nation in the National Day of Prayer May 1 at the brigade headquarters on Daenner Kaserne in Germany (U.S Army Base)

 

• Additional: Prayer Day at Fort Buchanan Highlights the Importance of Spiritual Readiness,  U.S Army 
• The National Day of Prayer in the United States 2023 
• The National Day of Prayer in the United States 2017 
• Get updates from  405th Army Field Support Brigade – Europe & Africa

Acknowledgments: Sources © U.S Army / The White House/ National Day of Prayer. Image: Service members, families, retirees, and veterans gathered in the National Prayer Luncheon, where they prayed for peace and unity in Puerto Rico, the United States, and around the world. May 1, 2025 ©U.S Army /David Hernandez. Video: 405th AFSB joins Army and Nation in the National Day of Prayer May 1 2025.©DoD/ 405th Army Field Support Brigade – Europe and Africa/ National Guard/ 405th Army Field Support Brigade- Europe and Africa. May 1, 2025, by Cameron Porter. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief. 

 

 

Special Edition Interview with the Spokesperson of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) conducted by Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt

Q 1: On April 4th Finland became the 31 member of NATO Alliance. How do you see the Future of NATO with Finland and the upcoming membership of Sweden? And how that can strengthen even more the partnership of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Air Forces Africa (USAFEAFAFRICA) with Finland.

USAFE-AFAFRICA Spokesperson: USAFE-AFAFRICA welcomes Finland to NATO. We have worked together in the past, and look forward to working together in the future, demonstrating our collective resolve as NATO Allies. We see a strong future for NATO and anticipate continued development of our interoperability and military partnerships.

Q 2: About 40 African nations participated in the 12th annual African Air Chiefs Symposium, sponsored by U.S. Air Force Africa, in Senegal from February 27 – March 3, 2023. Can you talk about this Symposium and the importance it represented?

USAFE-AFAFRICA Spokesperson: The African Air Chiefs Symposium is a multinational security cooperation initiative intended to foster more effective military relationships between participating nations. The symposium’s goal is to improve in areas that are affecting partner nations in attendance and across Africa. The event features a diverse range of workshops as well as cultural activities. The African Air Chief Symposium is hosted each year by a different member of the Association of African Air Forces. The symposium first started in 2011 in Ethiopia and had its last in-person event in Dakar, Senegal. AACS 23 focused on various small-group sessions to foster a spirit of collaboration, a senior enlisted leader forum, and cultural events to strengthen the partnership between all nations involved.

The 38 participating nations included: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia, Uganda and the United States.

Q 3: In early February this year another important military event ‘Nordic Regional Engagement’ was held in Europe with the participation of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, NATO Allied Air Command, and most European Air Forces. Please elaborate on the objectives and the magnitude of this military engagement?

USAFE-AFAFRICA Spokesperson: Earlier this year, command senior enlisted leaders from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, NATO Allied Air Command, the Royal Danish, Royal Norwegian, Finnish, and Swedish air forces participated in a Nordic regional engagement to Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. The two-week engagement provided a platform for the CSELs to discuss Agile Combat Employment across the Nordic nations, explore multinational, professional military education exchange opportunities and discuss the operational environment in the High North. In addition to discussing strategic importance of the NATO region, the engagement focused heavily on the development of the enlisted corps, specifically the non-commissioned officers in the four nations, as well as professional military education exchanges across the allied nations and partners.

Q 4: The U.S. military and the Spanish Armed Forces have a special partnership across the entire military spectrum, from EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta to NATO AIRCOM. Could we have your thoughts on this partnership and please discuss the Spanish Exercise Chasing Sol and the participation of the U.S. Airmen in this joint training?

USAFE-AFAFRICA Spokesperson: USAFE-AFAFRICA is proud to train with Allies and partners across Europe and Africa. Hosted by the Spanish air force, Chasing Sol is a great example of this. Members of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army in Zaragoza, Spain, participated in Chasing Sol from Jan. 23 to Feb. 3, 2023. The exercise was a bilateral flying training deployment between the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing assigned to the U.S. Air Force, 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 5th Quartermaster Company assigned to the U.S. Army, and 31st and 35th Tactical Airlift Wings assigned to the Spanish air force to increase readiness, responsiveness and interoperability between NATO allies. Chasing Sol, and other similar exercises, train and develop coordination between allies and partners to ensure a timely and effective response during peacetime and crisis.

Q 5: One of the greatest U.S. military accomplishments has been always in the area of Humanitarian Relief Operations worldwide in which the U.S. Air Force holds the lead. In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in February 6th 2023 in Turkey, the U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa played a vital role on a large scale of Humanitarian Relief Aid Operations. Could you brief us on that?

USAFE-AFAFRICA Spokesperson: In response to the tragic earthquake in Türkiye on February 6th, the 39th Air Base Wing supported the bed-down of over 1,440 foreign military and civilian relief personnel who arrived at Incirlik Air Base for relief efforts. These personnel originated from more than 10 partner nations. Contributions from the 39th ABW also included the coordination, planning, and installation of a 100-bed field hospital in Hatay Province to help offset the 1,500-bed hospital loss as a result of the earthquakes. USAFE-AFAFRICA rapidly responded to the natural disaster with critically needed capabilities and life-saving equipment, delivering assistance to aid areas the government of Türkiye deemed most necessary. We worked in support of USAID, the government of Türkiye and our Allies and partners to provide significant relief to the victims impacted.

Additional: U.S. Air Force tankers moved to NATO’s Eastern Flank, strengthen collective defense, March 2023 

•  More news from U.S Air Force Europe-Africa
• U.S Air Force Reserve 
• U.S KFOR Regional Command East   
• U.S Army Europe and Africa          
• U.S European Command
• The U.S. Army Reserve’s 7th Mission Support Command
• The 7th Army Training        US Naval Forces Europe-Africa    

Acknowledgments: Image 1: A KC-46A Pegasus from the Command’s 514th Air Mobility Wing and a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Mississipi Air National Guard’s 186^th Refueling Wings refueled Polish F-16 from Powidz Air Base, Poland, March 28 2023 ©U.S Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa/Air Force Reserve. The Interview is subject to Copyright Law. ©U.S. European Command/ U.S Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces in Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)/U.S. Army Europe and Africa /U.S Army/ U.S Air Force/ U.S Europe World Affairs.

Dear all our latest Newsletter is available online. Please view it on the Newsletters page. Have a great month of June. We love you all, Editor in Chief

The National Day of Prayer is a special annual event observed on the first Thursday of every May in the United States.

Although the day was established and declared by a joint resolution of Congress and President Harry S. Truman in 1952, the history of this significant yearly event goes back to the first prayer which was held in 1774 at the request of the Continental Congress to pray for wisdom and spiritual guidance for establishing the United States of America.

“On this day, may our faiths enable us to sow the seeds of progress in our ever-changing world.  Let us resolve to guide our children and grandchildren to embrace freedom for all, to see God in everyone, and to remember that no matter what differences they may have, they, just like we, will always be united by their common humanity.”  Excerpt from Presidential Proclamation — National Day of Prayer, President BARACK OBAMA ©White House National Day of Prayer, 2016.

 

Additional: Chaplains announce plans for May ‘Spiritual Readiness Month’ events

• Prayer breakfast brings Camp Zama community together for food, fellowship
• Building spiritual readiness in the Pacific
• Spiritual resiliency team shares food for thought
• Army chaplain shares Ramadan with Muslim prayer group
• Perseverance through spiritual readiness
• Be inspired with hope and faith by Joel Osteen

 

Acknowledgments: Sources: U.S Army, The White House. Image Chaplain (Maj.) Castelly prays for the command teams during the National Day of Prayer. Soldiers from various faiths joined together in prayer to strengthen their spiritual wellbeing. May 5th, 2022, ARIFJAN, KUWAIT. Photo by Capt. Joshua Sik, 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command © DoD/U.S Army. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief.

In October 2022, the military officials from the U.S and Europe attended in the Northern Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference to discuss current regional security and strengthening defense cooperation. 

The 13 participant nations were including: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. And the military representatives from:

• The U.S. National Guard Bureau and the State Partnership Program (SPP)
• The Illinois National Guard (in SPP with Poland)
• The Maryland National Guard (in SPP with Estonia)
• The Michigan National Guard (in SPP with Latvia)
• The Pennsylvania National Guard (in SPP with Lithuania)

The two day conference was a crucial gathering and discussion platform which facilitated and reaffirmed among others the following objectives:

• Highlighting the multi-dimensional aspects of the regional security;
• Enhancing mutual defense cooperation among NATO members and partners;
• The current developments in military technology and how to upgrade and complement the interoperability of NATO members and partner nations.

The conference is a yearly military event established by the U.S. European Command, taking place each year in a different European capitals. In 2021 the conference was held in Helsinki, Finland and the latest conference was in Oct 2022, in Warsaw, Poland.

“There has not been a moment in years when such a meeting has been so critical,”…….             “Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has served as an opportunity for all of us to come together to discuss important matters of national and collective defense.”  elaborated U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, Commander of U.S. European Command ©U.S. European Command Oct 2022

News from: U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

• U.S KFOR Regional Command East 
• U.S European Command
• U.S Army Europe and Africa     
• US Naval Forces Europe-Africa           
• U.S Air Force Europe-Africa
• The 7th Army Training           U.S Mission to NATO 

Acknowledgment: Sources: U.S. European Command Public Affairs. Photo Military leaders in Northern Europe chiefs of defense conference, Oct. 19-20, 2022, Warsaw, Poland. ©Polish General Staff/U.S European Command Public Affairs. By Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt  

Promoting security and cooperation in the Artic region has been long the United States foreign policy. 

In late November the military leaders, representing the North America and Europe, attended in the 13th Roundtable forum of the Arctic Security Forces, to discuss a comprehensive range of critical issues. The forum was held virtually and its main objectives were: 

• To address the Arctic awareness; security, challenges and stability
• To build a closer partnership and cooperation in the Arctic region

Founded in 2010 by U.S. European Command and the Norwegian Defence, the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable (ASFR) is a military forum scheduled twice a year. One with the participation of the military leaders from the Arctic nations: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden or the U.S.  And the second one with the observer nations: France, Germany, the Netherlands or the United Kingdom. 

The ASFR addresses the present and emerging challenges, and promotes military cooperation in the Arctic region.

• More news on: U.S European Command         
• U.S Arctic Commission  
• U.S Air force Europe- Africa                
• U.S Army Europe and Africa 
• U.S Arctic Council Chairmanship 2015-2017
• Arctic Security Forces Roundtable co-chairs meet, focus on strategy

Acknowledgment: Sources U.S EUCOM. By Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt   

Dear viewers/readers,

Please know that there are several fake blogs, sites that have published biography, quotes from me, those are not mine. They are Illegal, FAKE containing spams.

Also the blogs that offer downloads of my books are Illegal and they contain  malwares. We have already informed the authorities. 

Director, Editor in chief,

Catherine Stella Schmidt