Special Edition Interview with the Spokesperson of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa

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An exclusive Interview with Captain Erik Anthony, USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs Spokesperson, conducted by Editor in Chief.

Sir, it’s a great pleasure to have this interview with you. Thank you very much indeed for accepting our invitation. 

  • Q 1: Can you please describe the strategic mission and the intercontinental role of USAFE-AFAFRICA?

As the air component for both U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command, USAFE-AFAFRICA executes the Air Component missions with forward-based airpower and infrastructure to conduct and enable theater and global operations. USAFE-AFAFRICA directs air operations in a theater spanning three continents, covering more than 19 million square miles, and containing 104 independent states. Our mission is: “to forward project power across air, space and cyber domains, defend United States interests, demonstrate warfighting readiness, and forge partnerships in support of United States European Command and United States Africa Command Campaign objectives.”

  • Q 2:  How do you see the alignment of strategic security of the Baltic and Arctic region with USAFE-AFAFRICA’s mission?

The alignment of strategic security of the Baltic and Arctic regions is crucial to our mission. We remain committed to security throughout the Baltic and Arctic regions and a Europe that is whole, free, prosperous, and at peace. Strong relationships and continued interoperability with our allies and partners in these regions increases defense cooperation, improves the independent defense capabilities of Baltic nations and contributes to strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense postures in the High North and on NATO’s Eastern Flank.

Through continued training, exercises and exchanges, we work alongside our allies and partners to build interoperability across all domains and bolster stability and security in the Baltics and in the Arctic. In recent years, the bonds between the U.S. and our friends in these regions have only grown stronger, and our long-standing relationships span a broad range of mutual security, economic, and global interests.

  • Q 3:  Was Spartan Warrior 20-9 also in the framework of NATO? Can one measure the achievement of operational objectives up to the present?

Yes. Spartan Warrior is a multinational exercise that strengthens distributed training capabilities among NATO nations. Spartan Warrior 20-9 utilized the USAFE-AFAFRICA Warfare Center’s facility and various facilities around the world. This allowed for robust simulation assets to introduce air and ground scenarios for U.S. and NATO participants. The scenarios tested the players’ abilities in countering threats while building cohesive protocol for real-world events.

Q 4: In mid-January, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa participated in a Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) with NATO allies and partners in the Black Sea region.

  •  Can you please discuss the most significant aspects of the JADC2 training?

It’s increasingly crucial that we maintain the decision advantage and turn data into information quicker. JADC2 seeks to create agile and resilient command and control systems, capable of operating through degraded environments. The inherent flexibility and capability of our forces, bolstered by JADC2, allow us to maintain the right presence where we need it, when we need it.

  • Q 5:  Please tell us about the recent BTF and its envisaged operational goals?

B-2 Spirit aircraft from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, flew the final mission of the most recent Bomber Task Force deployment on March 25, 2021. This iteration of the BTF consisted of B-2s and B-1B Lancers from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

The B-1s accomplished a number of historic firsts and operational goals during this deployment. They were the first bomber to deploy to Norway, land in the Arctic Circle and land in Poland where they conducted the first hot-pit refuel of a B-1 in Europe, demonstrating a critical Agile Combat Employment capability. From Norway, the B-1s flew nine sorties, integrating with ally and partner assets to include Norwegian F-35 Lightning aircraft, Swedish JAS-39 Gripens, Danish F-16 Fighting Falcons, Polish F-16s and German and Italian Eurofighter Typhoons which also supported NATO’s Baltic Air Policing. The B-1s also worked alongside U.S. special operations forces to provide critical support to Norwegian and Swedish joint terminal attack controller training.

On March 16, B-2s joined this iteration of the BTF, flying their first of four missions in the High North. The B-2s integrated with the B-1s and the Norwegian F-35s that supported NATO’s Icelandic Air Policing mission off the coast of Iceland. The aircraft carried out complex operations at night after beginning the mission from three different bases on two continents. The sortie provided an opportunity for the aircraft to advance their cross-platform data-sharing capabilities, improving 5th generation interoperability.

Strategic bomber missions enhance the readiness of the U.S. Air Force, which is necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe.

  • Q 6: Could you also comment on the partnership of USAFE-AFAFRICA and the Norwegian Air Force?

The U.S. and Norway collaborate closely on many global, regional and bilateral issues. Norway is an exceptional NATO ally thanks to its investment in high-end capabilities and commitment to peace and stability in Europe and the Arctic. Norway generously contributes to regional leadership and global stability, to include serving as NATO’s sentinels in the North as well as its continuing support of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and the Defeat-ISIS Coalition.

Additional: Spartan Warrior 20-9: NATO strengthens air power

Acknowledgment: Image F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron takes off for exercise Agile Liberty at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, April 19, 2021. ©U.S. Air Force/Airman Jacob Wood.                                                                                                                                                                                                   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.

An Exclusive Interview with U.S. European Command-1 (Part-2)

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An exclusive Interview with the Spokesperson of U.S. European  Command conducted by Editor in Chief (Part-2)

 

Q 4: Earlier in March in support of NATO Exercise “Dynamic Manta” and other operations, guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75)  provided overall defense for the “Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group” (CDG CSG) in the Mediterranean. 

  • Could you comment on the importance of this exercise in the pivotal context of the U.S- French military partnership?

U.S. European Command Spokesperson: In the beginning of March, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) provided multi-warfare defense to France’s Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group (CDG CSG) in the Mediterranean to support NATO Exercise Dynamic Manta and other operations. High-end integration is only facilitated through trust, sharing and cooperation. This level of operational interchangeability is unique to the NATO Alliance, and we maintain our asymmetric advantage through participation in exercises like Dynamic Manta, which takes place off the coast of Sicily.

This was not the first time the two vessels trained together. In 2019, USS Donald Cook joined CDG in exercise FANAL 19, which involved operations across all maritime warfare disciplines. In recent history, the U.S. Navy has worked side-by-side with the French Navy throughout the European and African theater of operation. In 2016, USS Ross (DDG 71) operated with CDG as part of Combined Task Force 473 in the Mediterranean. In April 2018, France, the UK and the U.S. conducted strikes into Syria in response to the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons against its own people. In 2020, the Ross operated with CDG in eastern Mediterranean as part of Operations Chammal and Inherent Resolve, the overarching missions against the expansion of ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

France is one of America’s oldest allies dating back to 1781 with their support in the U.S. Revolutionary War. This strong bond between our two nations reinforced our relationship and tested our joint combat skills during both World Wars. Today, this relationship continues in that great tradition of exceptional partnership between the U.S. and French militaries.

Q 5: USEUCOM maintains a crucial role in assisting allies and partner nations in the fight against Covid-19. 

  • Can you describe the measures USEUCOM has executed in this regard in the military and civilian arenas?

U.S. European Command Spokesperson: USEUCOM support to our Allies and partners during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has been unwavering and resolute. A mere nine days after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, USEUCOM’s crisis and humanitarian response professionals identified and facilitated the swift transfer of $150,000 worth of medical equipment and related supplies from a military warehouse in Livorno to hospitals and clinics throughout Italy. The first Italian assistance mission on March 20, 2021 was USEUCOM’s first formal support to NATO Allies during the pandemic.

Since then, the command has programmed more than $21 million in assistance across 24 European nations, spanning the continent from Latvia to Greece and the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan. From delivering personal protective equipment and sanitizing solutions for schools and assisted-living facilities to donating medical equipment for first responders, hospitals and clinics, USEUCOM personnel supported these life-saving efforts.

In addition, USEUCOM turned to its existing relationships established through the U.S. Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program (SPP.) The SPP pairs a U.S. state’s National Guard with a partner nation in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.

In November 2020, a six-member National Guard medical team from U.S. states Texas and Nebraska deployed to their SPP partner nation, the Czech Republic, to provide medical support as that nation faced threatening levels of nationwide infection.

Two SPP nations also provided COVID-19 support to the United States, as two separate teams – one from Poland, the other Romania – deployed to the U.S. to provide support in their partner states.

News from:  U.S KFOR Regional Command East    U.S European Command

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

An Exclusive Interview with U.S. European Command-1 (Part-1)

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An exclusive Interview with the Spokesperson of U.S. European Command conducted by Editor in Chief (Part-1)

Sir, we are greatly honored to have the occasion of this interview with you. Thank you very much for your time.

Q 1:  With your permission I would like to start with an overview of the U.S European Command, and the vital role it plays in European stability, security, and defense. 

  • Can you please tell us about USEUCOM, its mission, the strategic interests it represents? And the most recent developments in the status of its force posture.

U.S. European Command Spokesperson: U.S. European Command is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, USEUCOM’s mission is to execute a full range of multi-domain operations in coordination with Allies and partners to support NATO, deter Russia, assist in the defense of Israel, enable global operations and counter trans-national threats to defend the U.S. homeland and fortify Euro-Atlantic security.

USEUCOM plays an important role to meet the emergent challenges and opportunities in an era of great power competition as the U.S.’ principal military instrument in Europe.  Our presence in Europe provides the U.S. military with the strategic access vital to meet our NATO commitment to respond to threats against our Allies. With both permanent and rotational forces in Europe, we are better positioned to deter current and potential threats, assure our Allies and respond in a timely way should deterrence fail.

Our rotational forces allows for more flexibility to deter threats when and where they arise, and are deliberate and defensive in nature. We have established a joint, persistent rotational presence of air, land and sea assets in the region to support our Allies and deter Russia from aggressive actions in the European theater.

An example of our rotational force posture is the Marine Corps Rotational Force – Europe, which focuses on regional engagements throughout Europe by conducting various exercises, arctic cold-weather and mountain warfare training and military-to-military engagements, which enhance overall interoperability of the U.S. Marine Corps with our Allies and partners. Another example of our rotational forces is the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine (JMTG-U), which is the name given to the mission of training, equipping, training center development and doctrinal assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces.

In regards to our force posture in Europe, the U.S. Secretary of Defense recently announced that the U.S. will base an additional 500 U.S. Soldiers in Wiesbaden, Germany as part of two new units, a Multi-Domain Task Force and a Theater Fires Command. The Multi-Domain Task Force-Europe, expected to activate Sept.16, 2021, will be comprised of field artillery; composite air and missile defense; intelligence, cyberspace, electronic warfare and space; aviation and a brigade support element. The Theater Fires Command, expected to active Oct. 16, 2021, will improve readiness and multi-national interoperability by integrating joint and multi-national fires in exercises and operations, in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

Additionally, the U.S. Army announced in February 2020 the reactivation of an additional corps headquarters, the historic V Corps, to be located in the United States at Fort Knox, Kentucky, with a forward command post in Europe. The V Corps Headquarters (Forward) was officially established in Poznan, Poland, Nov. 20, 2020. The primary mission of the new forward headquarters is 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.

  • Q 2:  With respect to building closer partnerships and strengthening NATO, what new complementary steps has USEUCOM envisioned to implement in the frame of its strategic planning for 2021 and beyond?

U.S. European Command Spokesperson: USEUCOM is deeply rooted in the common values and strong relationships between our European partners and NATO Allies. Our commitment to the NATO alliance is ironclad. We are committed to standing side-by-side with our Allies to ensure the independence, sovereign territory and security of NATO members.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, is dual-hatted as the USEUCOM commander and as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), one of NATO’s two strategic commanders. SACEUR is the head of Allied Command Operations and, as such, is responsible to the NATO Military Committee for the conduct of all NATO operations. Though these are two separate positions with distinct responsibilities, the fact that they are led by the same commander ensures that USEUCOM and NATO priorities are closely aligned.

 USEUCOM contributes to NATO’s success in a number of ways, and exercises are one of our more visible activities. Exercising with NATO and non-NATO partners demonstrates readiness, interoperability and capability. These exercises ultimately contribute to deterring our adversaries from threatening European security and the homeland. Additionally, NATO elements often participate in U.S.-led multinational exercises, such as Defender Europe and leaders from the two organizations regularly meet to ensure efforts are synchronized. One example of regular coordination is the yearly USEUCOM and NATO staff talks, which began in 2018 and strengthens transparency and understanding between the two organizations. Throughout 2021, we will continue to work alongside NATO and our Allies and partners to ensure the safety and security of the Euro-Atlantic.

Q 3: “DEFENDER-Europe 21” is considered as one of the most robust military exercises in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe and its NATO allies.  

  • Could you please elaborate on the significance of this exercise and its key central aspects?

U.S. European Command Spokesperson: DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa-planned and executed multinational exercise. It demonstrates USAREUR’s ability to command and control large-scale ground operations across more than a dozen nations simultaneously.

Although DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a U.S. Army exercise, it will include significant involvement of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. Key ground and maritime routes bridging Europe, Asia and Africa will be utilized. Other high-end capabilities will be exercised, such as the new U.S. Army Security Force Assistance Brigades, air and missile defense assets and the recently reactivated V Corps.

In March, equipment and personnel began moving from the United States. In April, participating units will draw Army Prepositioned Stock from sites in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. The bulk of training activities will occur in May and the exercise will conclude in June with the redeployment of U.S.-based forces and equipment.

 The exercise will build readiness and interoperability by exercising the command’s ability to integrate approximately 28,000 U.S., Allied and partner forces from 26 nations conducting concurrent exercises across more than 30 training areas.

DEFENDER-Europe 21 will demonstrate our ability to serve as a strategic security partner in the western Balkans and Black Sea regions, while sustaining our abilities in northern Europe, the Caucasus, Ukraine and Africa.

To be continued in part-2  on Wednesday May 5th 

News from:  U.S KFOR Regional Command East    U.S European Command

Acknowledgments: Image-1 U.S flag ©U.S Air Forces Europe-Africa 2016. Image-2 ©U.S Army Europe and Africa April 4, 2021.                                   The Interview is subject to Copyright Law. ©U.S. European Command/U.S. Army Europe and Africa /U.S Army/ U.S Europe World Affairs. 

The U.S Air Force with France and UK in Atlantic Trident 2021

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From May 17-28 next month, the multinational joint training exercise ‘Atlantic Trident 2021’ will be held in France, marking the third military event of the Atlantic Trident. The participants are the U.S Air Force, French Air and Space Force, the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom– presenting with them, to challenge and test, the most advanced proven fighter aircrafts in a range of air combat scenarios.

The two previous Atlantic Trident 2015 and 2017 were hosted by the U.S Air Force, and in a trilateral joint exercises with the same two major NATO airpower, France and the United Kingdom.

This year the objective of Atlantic Trident will place the focus on re-enhancing the interoperability, to level up the coalition’s operational capabilities, and to transform the readiness in all areas of airpower by applying and improving the fourth and fifth generation of the aircrafts.

Announced by the U.S Air Force (USAFE-AFAFRICA) : “Aircraft planned to participate in the exercise include U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, and U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft; French Air and Space Force Rafale, KC-135 Stratotanker, A330 Phenix and E3-F Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft; and Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning, Eurofighter Typhoon, E-3D Sentry and A330 Voyager aircraft.”

News from   U.S Air Force                                                                             Royal Air Force                               French Air and Space Force

Acknowledgment: Image of the fourth and fifth-generation aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, French Air Force and Royal Air Force fly during ATLANTIC TRIDENT 17 near Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA, April 26, 2017. By U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Natasha Stannard. Sources: U.S Air Force (USAFE-AFAFRICA)

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

U.S National Guard State Partnership Program-4 MARYLAND NATIONAL GUARD

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Dating back to 1993, the National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP) started with only 3 Baltic States. The initial objective of the program though was to improve the economic conditions and to give support and facilitate democracy in the Eastern European States devastated under communist law, the SPP developed rapidly and enlarged to a wide range of programs from economic aid to military training and joint exercises, civilian projects and humanitarians assistance.

“Our effort today to broaden and deepen our mutual relations [is] an effort that can make an important contribution to our ultimate goal of a united, free, and peaceful Europe.” elaborated  Secretary of Defense Cheney in his speech at NATO Headquarters in Brussels in April 1992.¹

In the course of almost three decades the National Guard (SPP) evolved, has expanded to 82 partnerships in 6 geographic Combatant Commands with 89 nations across the world. In today’s world not only in Europe but also in diverse parts of the world fostering democracy, stability, peace and building security and defense in many ways have been intertwined and connected to the U.S National Guard State Partnership Program. 

The Maryland (MD) National Guard is one of the pioneer States’ National Guard that formed the ‘SPP’ with one of the three Baltic countries, Estonia, from the beginning of the program in 1993.

MD National Guard has two State Partnership Programs (SPP) in Europe:

  • With Estonia established in 1993
  • With Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) since 2003

Both State Partnership Programs have been expanding through years. Just in 2019 the MD National Guard finalized successfully 84 projects, military exercises, events and training with its two SPP partner countries, announced by the National Guard.

“It’s all about sharing our experiences as the National Guard and building trust and confidence in the citizens of their country” expressed Army Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, Maryland’s adjutant general. ©MD National Guard 2013

“Marylanders are always the consistent face when we need advice or assistance,” said at the seminar. “Whenever we have major challenges, we know that we can always count on our Maryland friends.” explained Estonian Ambassador Vseviov at the MD National Guard leaders assembled at the Dundalk Readiness Center Feb. 2020 ©National Guard/ Maj. Kurt Rauschenberg

At the civilian level, Maryland has additionally 10 partner cities with Estonia (Ref. US Embassy Estonia) 

MD National Guard                Visit Maryland                                 University of Maryland                

Acknowledgments: Image of U.S. Army Gen. Paul E. Funk II, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command commanding general, speaks at the graduation of Class 21-01 from the Maneuver Captains Career Course at the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Army Base in Columbus, Ga. ©175th WG – Maryland Air National Guard/Master Sgt. Christopher Schepers. April 2021 

¹ ©The National Guard State Partnership Program Forging and Maintaining Effective Security Cooperation Partnerships for the 21st Century, page 14. By William B. Boehm. Published by National Guard Bureau office of Public Affairs 

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

Defender Europe 21 April’s Activities

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With 28,000 multinational military personnel, Defender Europe 21 is the largest multinational U.S Army Europe and Africa-led exercise to augment, enhance and fortify the U.S and NATO allies and partner nations’ interoperability and readiness. This year the exercise started in March, with the participants of U.S Air Force , U.S Navy, over 2000 U.S National Guard, 800 Army Reserve, and will continue through June.

    The exercise plan for April: 

  • “12 European country’s airports receiving equipment and personnel from the U.S;
  • 3 Army Prepositioned Stock sites being utilized with1,000 pieces of equipment being drawn;
  • 4 Countries hosting 5 logistics centers.” ©US Army Europe and Africa  

Acknowledgment: the fact and video courtesy of U.S Army Europe and Africa  

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

 

U.S. Air Force in NATO Exercise Trident 2021

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With the aim of of fortifying alliances and enhancing interoperability among the NATO allies and partners nations, the annual NATO Baltic region exercise Trident was executed from 15-19 of March. 

As every year the U.S Air Force has been the indispensable components of this training event since the start of this exercise. This year the U.S Aircraft from the 492nd and 493rd Fighter Squadrons, and a number of Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, took part in the Trident 2021. 

  • The core of Trident 2021 was to signify and expand the operational concept of the Agile Combat Employment (ACE), the U.S Air Force highlighted.

“The exercise was an incredible success,”  “The team overcame every challenge we faced and achieved every objective for the exercise.” explained Captain Aaron Hieronymus, 429nd Fighter Squadron weapons and tactics flight commander. ©U.S Air Force Europe and Africa/ Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte. March 22,2021.

 

 

U.S 493rd Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagles fly back to Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, from  Estonia after completion of Baltic Trident March 19, 2021  

 

See more on NATO Trident:  U.S solidifies NATO, allied partnership at Trident Juncture 2015

NATO Secretary General briefs on exercise Trident Juncture 2018

News from:  U.S KFOR Regional Command East                   NATO-KFOR

Acknowledgment: Image by U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte, March 2021.  Article by Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt   

Former NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen on U.S role in the World

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The U.S leadership in the World by former PM of Denmak and former  Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen

The Will to Lead: America’s Indispensable Role in the Global Fight for Freedom

 

By former  Secretary General of NATO   and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Follow news from Anders Fogh Rasmussen former Secretary General of NATO 
News from Denmark mission to NATO                    News from US mission to NATO 

Special Edition Interview with NATO Deputy Spokesperson, the Hon. Mr. Piers Cazalet,

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Interview with NATO Deputy Spokesperson, the Hon. Mr. Piers Cazalet, conducted by Editor in Chief

 

 

 

Sir,  it is a great  honor to have you in this interview. Thank you very much indeed for accepting it.

Q 1:  With respect to NATO 2030, can you discuss the key elements identified and expounded in the meetings of the Defense Ministers at NATO Headquarters, 17-18 February 2021?

NATO Deputy Spokesperson, Mr. Piers Cazalet: Thank you for this opportunity to speak to U.S Europe World Affairs. The meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in February was the first with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. It represented an important milestone in our preparations for our summit later this year.

As for the NATO 2030 initiative launched by Secretary General Stoltenberg, it is informed by two fundamental premises. First: in the current historical juncture we have a unique opportunity to open a new chapter in relations between Europe and North America. Second: the number and scope of global challenges are such that no country and no continent can tackle them alone. Ultimately, the goal of the NATO 2030 initiative is to make NATO fit for the future.

Under the NATO 2030 initiative, Secretary General Stoltenberg has put forward a number of ambitious proposals. They cover key areas.

    • Strengthen our commitment to deterrence and defence, by providing incentives to Allies to contribute more capabilities, and ensure fairer burden sharing;
    • Raise our level of ambition when it comes to resilience, which is our first line of defence;
    • Boost transatlantic cooperation on defence innovation, so that NATO keeps its technological edge;
    • Improve our ability to train and build capacity in NATO partner countries, because this is a more sustainable way to contribute to stability in our neighbourhood, and to fight terrorism;
    • Enhance political coordination among Allies, so that NATO can consolidate itself as a platform for consultation and coordination, on more issues and in more formats;
    • Strengthen our political and practical cooperation with like-minded democracies around the world, so that we can do more to protect the rules-based order, which is undermined by countries that do not share our values, like Russia and China;
    • Bolster our efforts to address the security implications of climate change, notably by reducing vulnerabilities in and emissions from the military sector.
    • Start work on updating NATO’s Strategic Concept, in order to address existing and emerging challenges, recommit to our values, and reinforce the bond between Europe and North America.

Overall, the recent meetings of NATO Defence Ministers represented a great start to our discussion to build a substantial and forward-looking agenda for the NATO summit and to secure a more peaceful and prosperous future through a strong transatlantic Alliance.   

Q 2: Security challenges have been recorded by NATO as counter terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missile defense, cyber defense, improvised explosive devices, energy security, environment, hybrid threats. Under the NATO alliance setting, could you elaborate on Hybrid threats and Cyber defense, as they seem quite related?

NATO Deputy Spokesperson, Mr. Piers Cazalet: Cyber threats are becoming more frequent, complex and destructive. NATO takes this threat very seriously, and we are constantly stepping up our cyber defences. NATO protects its own IT networks from cyber-attacks 24 hours a day. The Alliance has also created a new Cyberspace Operations Centre. NATO cyber experts actively share information, including through our Malware Information Sharing Platform. Furthermore, NATO has cyber rapid reaction teams on standby to assist Allies; and every year, cyber defenders from across the Alliance test their skills in Cyber Coalition, NATO’s biggest cyber defence exercise. Allies are also bolstering their national cyber defences through NATO’s Cyber Defence Pledge.

We must keep strengthening our cyber defences as we learn from recent attacks. NATO and the EU have been cooperating closely on cyber security for years; and our cyber experts exchange information and warnings in real-time, keeping us all safer.

With respect to hybrid threats, at the Brussels Summit in 2018, NATO Leaders agreed to establish Counter Hybrid Support Teams to assist Allies in preparing for and responding to this kind of threat. If requested by an Ally, a team of experts can be deployed to support national efforts in variety of areas, including cyber defence, energy security, counter-terrorism, civil preparedness or strategic communications.

I would like to highlight two more points. First: having a strong military is fundamental to our security, but strong militaries depend on strong societies. NATO is playing an important role in this respect, including by setting minimum resilience standards for Allies; and looking to the future, we need to do even more. We need a broader, more integrated and better coordinated approach to resilience, with concrete national targets – for communications, including 5G and undersea cables, and energy and water supplies; and a joint assessment of any vulnerabilities.

Countries like China are investing strategically in ports and airports, and our telecommunication networks remain vulnerable to attacks from the outside, and compromise from the inside. So we must continue to build up our resilience; and we welcome that resilience is an area where we work closely with the EU; NATO staff have shared with their EU counterparts our updated baseline requirements on resilience. This is also an important part of the NATO 2030 agenda, and Allied leaders will address it at our Summit later this year.

Second: The rapid pace of technological change is a challenge. Artificial intelligence, autonomous weapon systems, big data, and biotech can significantly change our lives; but these developments also present risks, and we must remain at the forefront of these changes to understand what they mean for us. We can no longer take our technological edge for granted. For example, China intends on becoming the world’s leading power in artificial intelligence by 2030, less than 10 years away. 

So we must research, invest in and adopt emerging technologies. NATO plays a key role. It coordinates defence planning among Allies, ensuring we are developing the best technologies. NATO defence ministers recently agreed an implementation strategy to ensure we stay ahead of the curve when it comes to innovative technologies. NATO can also serve as a forum for Allies to consider practical, ethical and legal questions that arise from new technologies. Furthermore, emerging technology is an important topic in our dialogue with the EU.

Q 3: In response to Covid-19 pandemic over the past year, NATO has mobilized to provide tremendous assistance to allied and partner countries. Could you please describe future mitigation and strategies in place?

NATO Deputy Spokesperson, Mr. Piers Cazalet: COVID-19 has changed our lives in many ways and it has magnified existing security trends and tensions. There has been a severe economic impact. Supply chains have been interrupted and the digital revolution has been accelerated. At the same time, challenges to our collective security have not disappeared. On the contrary. Russia continues its military activities unabated; ISIS and other terrorist groups are emboldened; we have seen an increase in disinformation; and the rise of China is fundamentally shifting the global balance of power.

Against this backdrop, since the start of the pandemic NATO has been addressing two parallel needs. On one hand to stand in solidarity and help each other out. On the other, to prevent this health crisis from turning into a security crisis.

In the first half of 2020, almost half a million troops from NATO militaries have supported civilian efforts, building field hospitals, helping with testing, transporting patients, distributing medical equipment, conducting repatriation, helping with decontamination, making available laboratories and quarantine facilities, establishing triage centres, and supporting border security across the Alliance.

In June 2020, NATO Defence Ministers decided on a new Operations Plan to ensure that the Alliance remains ready to continue helping Allies and partners. We have also established a NATO Pandemic Response Trust Fund to enable us to quickly acquire medical supplies and services. This Fund maintains an established stockpile of medical equipment and supplies to be able to provide immediate relief to Allies or partners in need.

Allied militaries and NATO can also provide help with the rollout of the vaccine, if needed.

Overall, COVID has shown us how unpredictable our world is and why boosting resilience is a key task for NATO. COVID-19 has also shown us that we are stronger and safer when we work together. Europe and North America must continue to stick together. That’s why we need a strong NATO – now, and in the future.

Q 4: In the context of the same subject, I’d like to ask you about the valuable contributions of NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, and its timely operations.  Please tell us about the center’s founding and essential objectives, and what constitute its primary operational tasks and scope? 

NATO Deputy Spokesperson, Mr. Piers Cazalet: The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) has been playing a crucial role throughout NATO’s response to the Coronavirus crisis. Since the start of the pandemic, it has coordinated requests from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and 18 NATO and partner countries, garnering more than 130 responses in return. Since the beginning of this year, the Centre has coordinated new donations to Allies and partners in need. Most recently, Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro received sets of ventilator supplies to sustain the operation of the ventilators received from NATO’s stockpile earlier in 2020. Additionally, Slokavia donated and delivered four pulmonary ventilators to North Macedonia in response to an urgent request for assistance received in January 2021.

The EADRCC is NATO’s main civil emergency response mechanism. It is active all year round; it operates on a 24/7 basis; and it involves all NATO Allies and partner countries. The Centre functions as a clearing-house system for coordinating both requests and offers of assistance, mainly in case of natural and man-made disasters. Its tasks are carried out in close cooperation with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), which retains the primary role in the coordination of international disaster relief operations. Furthermore, its principal function is coordination rather than direction. In the case of a disaster requiring international assistance, it is up to individual NATO Allies and partners to decide whether to provide assistance, based on information received from the EADRCC.

The Centre is located at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. It is staffed by secondees from NATO and partner countries and members of NATO’s International Staff. The Centre liaises closely with UN OCHA, NATO Military Authorities and other relevant international organisations. When a disaster occurs, the EADRCC can temporarily be augmented with additional personnel from NATO and partner delegations to NATO, or NATO’s international civilian and military staff. In addition, the EADRCC has access to national civil experts that can be called upon to provide the Centre with expert advice in specific areas in the event of a major disaster.

In addition to its day-to-day activities and the immediate response to emergencies, the EADRCC conducts large-scale field exercises to improve interaction between NATO and partner countries, as well as between NATO and international organisations. Regular major disaster exercises have been organised in different participating countries to practise procedures, provide training for local and international participants, build up interoperability skills and capabilities and harness the experience and lessons learned for future operations. Since 2000, the EADRCC has conducted on average one large consequence-management field exercise every year and started in 2016 a new set of exercises using virtual reality technology. Virtual reality is a big part of the future and NATO is using it to complement its conventional table-top and field exercises.

News from:  U.S KFOR Regional Command East

 *The Interview is subject to Copyright Law. ©NATO/ U.S Europe World Affairs. 

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