US-Europe World Affairs

Northern Challenge 16 is under way in Keflavik, Iceland.                                                                                                    The Exercise is a multinational counter explosive device in NATO’s counter-terrorism programme and hosted by Iceland. 

 September 22, 2016                         © U.S Mission to NATO       © U.S Air Force Europe-Africa

The U.S Air Force Europe and the 52nd EOD ( Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Airmen have been holding a crucial role for executing this multinational exercise along with Iceland as the host country. 

Announced by the U.S Air Base in Germany, the  52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs:  “The Exercise is to bring U.S and European counterparts from allied and partner nations to become familiar with each other’s Military procedures and achieve greater interoperability in combating terrorism.”

The participating Armed-Forces are from NATO allies,  Partnership for Peace,  including:  Iceland, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Norway, Belgium, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. 

On September 12, during an official meeting of Deputy Secretary General Vershbow  with  Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Mr Enver Hoxhaj in Brussels–  the Deputy Secretary General reassured Kosovo of NATO’s continuous support for KFOR.

“KFOR will continue to contribute to a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement in Kosovo, working in close cooperation with the Kosovo authorities and with the EU.” 

  “….that NATO will continue to support the development of the security organisations in Kosovo and welcomed the increased professionalism shown by the Kosovo Police.” elaborated Deputy Secretary General Vershbow. September 12, 2016 © NATO Public Affairs

1. Additional: The Role of NATO in Kosovo  
2. US Army, KFOR,  EULEX  and Kosovo Police during Readiness at Silver Saber Multinational Training      

News from NATO                                                                      News from KFOR                                                                             Source: NATO Public Affairs 

On September 8th  Secretary of Defense Ash Carter traveled to Norway and met with Norwegian Minister of Defense Ine Eriksen Søreide.  During this trip Secretary Carter with Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide also visited the Bodo Air Base and was given the presentation of Norwegian Military capabilities.

“Norway is a Strong, Indispensable U.S. Security Partner bilaterally, within NATO, in the North Atlantic and Arctic, in Afghanistan and as part of the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.” elaborated  Secretary of Defense Ash Carter in the press conference. Norway September 8, 2016 © DoD 

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Norwegian Minister of Defense Ine Eriksen Soreide met with Norwegian F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots  at Bodo Air Base, Norway, September 8, 2016 © DoD 

The Secretary of Defense continued:

“Norway is already one of eight NATO nations spending at least 20 percent of its defense budget on equipment and it’s investing in new capabilities that will strengthen both Norway’s national defense and NATO,”

 “Norway will contribute a company to NATO’s Persistent Enhanced Forward Presence Battalion in Lithuania. In Afghanistan, Norwegian personnel make important contributions to NATO’s Resolute Support mission as mentors to Afghan security personnel and as first responders, especially after the recent attack on the American University in Kabul.”

The Secretary of Defense concluded:  “Thanks to leaders like Minister Søreide and its professional and principled military personnel,” Norway “will continue to play a leading role in bolstering collective security and making a better world for all of us.” September 8, 2016 © DoD 

Additional:  Carter Salutes Norway as Strong, Indispensable Security Partner

• News from the  DoD                                                          News from US Army Europe 
• News  from Norwegian Armed- Forces

Source: DoD/Cheryl Pellerin

The U.S Army’s European Rotational Force with over 15  European States are participating in one of the biggest U.S-European Multinational joint training: Exercise Combined Resolve VII.                                              The exercise has been held from August 8 to September 15 in southeastern Germany with the participation of  3,500 soldiers from the Armed-Forces of:   Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and the United States.

September 13, 2016 © US Army Europe/U.S Mission to NATO

Formulated in four stages the Exercise intends:

• To provide the Raiders Brigade with multinational training and partnership;
• To  enhance the flexibility;
• To enhance the agility and ability to better operate alongside NATO allies and partners in Europe. © Described by the U.S 7th Army Training Command 

News from  the US 7th Army Training Command                                                                                                                              News from U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria                                                                                                                                                       News from US Naval Forces Europe-Africa                                                                                                                                               News from US Air Force Europe-Africa                                                                                                                                                   News from Strong Europe US Army Europe  

Source: US Army Europe/ the US 7th Army Training Command