Brig. Gen. Edward Vaughan meets with his Georgian counterpart Brig. Gen. Irakli Tchitchinadze

Pictured (left to right) in front of the USEUCOM headquarters building are Brig. Gen. Arben Kingji, Albania Land Forces Commander; Ambassador Yuri Kim, U.S. Ambassador to Albania; U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Howard, USEUCOM Deputy Commander; Maj. Gen. Bajram Begaj, Chief of the General Staff, Albanian Armed Forces; Ambassador Adam Sterling, USEUCOM Foreign Policy Adviser; and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Charles Miller, USEUCOM Director of Plans, Policy, Strategy, and Capabilities.

211123-N-CE622-0029 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Nov. 23, 2021) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) assist with chocks and chains as part of flight operations with the French Navy during Exercise Polaris on Patrol 10, Nov. 23, 2021. Porter, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its 10th Patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katie Cox)

US Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 complete checks on an armed F-35B Lightning II aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Indo-Pacific on August 05, 2021. A historical first for HMS Queen Elizabeth, rearming and refueling active aircraft allows Marines to increase sortie generation, providing commanders increased options. This training underscores the unique advantages and opportunities which Carrier Strike Group 21 provides the US Marine Corps, US Navy, and Royal Navy and our commitment to shared security.

Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 unload equipment from an MV-22B Osprey with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group aboard Her Majesties Ship Queen Elizabeth, at sea on May 10, 2021. The 24th MEU transported Marines and equipment assigned to VMFA-211, United Kingdom (UK) Carrier Strike Group 21. The Navy-Marine Corps team is humbled and proud to represent the United States and serve alongside our UK counterparts.

SHAPE Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Enablement Maj. Gen. Raimundo Roca of Spain, 21st TSC Commander U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Smith, USEUCOM Logistics Director U.S. Rear Adm. Duke Heinz, JSEC Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Dariusz Ryczkowski of Poland, and Standing Joint Logistic Support Group Commander Air Commodore Elizabeth Purcell of the United Kingdom work together during the table-top exercise, Nov. 16, 2021,. NATO’s top logistics leadership gathered to test and train NATO’s newest command, JSEC, in coordinating large combat forces and their sustainment across European borders during a two-day conference in Ulm, Germany.

Bulgarian honor guard welcomes Gen. Tod Wolters to the Central Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference.

Bulgarian honor guard welcomes Gen. Tod Wolters to the Central Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference.

Gen. Tod Wolters and Adm. Emil Eftimov co-host the Central Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference. Photos courtesy of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence.

Gen. Tod Wolters and Adm. Emil Eftimov co-host the Central Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference. Photos courtesy of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence.

U.S. Airmen from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, prepare their F-15E Strike Eagles for a series of integrated training sorties during operation Castle Forge alongside F-16 aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force’s 110th Combat Wing at Larissa Air Base, Greece, Oct. 11, 2021. Castle Forge is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led, joint, multi-national operation. It demonstrates the joint force’s combined ability to respond in times of crisis with a flexible, reassuring presence (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).

A 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pilot prepares to board a B-1B Lancer at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Nov. 1, 2021. Two B-1’s integrated with Norwegian Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers over the Arctic region during a Bomber Task Force Europe mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Hollowell)

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, prepares to land at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Nov. 1, 2021. The B-1B's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is capable of tracing, targeting and engaging moving vehicles as well as self-targeting and terrain-following modes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Josiah Brown)

U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, arrive at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, Nov. 1, 2021, in support of operation Castle Forge, a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led joint, multinational training event. The Strike Eagles will spend the next several days training at the Bulgarian Air Force facility, continuing Castle Forge’s objective of affirming U.S. commitment to NATO allies in the Black Sea region (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).

U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, arrive at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, Nov. 1, 2021, in support of operation Castle Forge, a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led joint, multinational training event. The Strike Eagles will spend the next several days training at the Bulgarian Air Force facility, continuing Castle Forge’s objective of affirming U.S. commitment to NATO allies in the Black Sea region (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).

U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, arrive at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, Nov. 1, 2021, in support of operation Castle Forge, a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led joint, multinational training event. The Strike Eagles will spend the next several days training at the Bulgarian Air Force facility, continuing Castle Forge’s objective of affirming U.S. commitment to NATO allies in the Black Sea region (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).

U.S. Airmen coordinate with a Romanian counterpart during operation Castle Forge at Borcea 86th Air Base, Romania, Oct. 21, 2021. Castle Forge is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led, joint, multi-national operation. It provides a dynamic, partnership-focused training environment that raises the U.S. commitment to collective defense in the Black Sea region while enhancing interoperability alongside NATO allies (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).

Pacific future Forum - HMS Prince of Wales. The Pacific Future Forum 2021 [PFF’21] is an international summit dedicated to strengthening the defence, security, technology and trading relationships between democratic nations. It is one of the UK Government’s keynote international events for 2021. The Forum is an opportunity to hear directly from the preeminent thinkers of the day in defence, security, trade and technology, across both the public and private sectors, as they explore how to reinvigorate our economies, address the problem of climate change and harness new technologies to build back a better world.

Pacific future Forum - HMS Prince of Wales. The Pacific Future Forum 2021 [PFF’21] is an international summit dedicated to strengthening the defence, security, technology and trading relationships between democratic nations. It is one of the UK Government’s keynote international events for 2021. The Forum is an opportunity to hear directly from the preeminent thinkers of the day in defence, security, trade and technology, across both the public and private sectors, as they explore how to reinvigorate our economies, address the problem of climate change and harness new technologies to build back a better world.

Pacific future Forum - HMS Prince of Wales. The Pacific Future Forum 2021 [PFF’21] is an international summit dedicated to strengthening the defence, security, technology and trading relationships between democratic nations. It is one of the UK Government’s keynote international events for 2021. The Forum is an opportunity to hear directly from the preeminent thinkers of the day in defence, security, trade and technology, across both the public and private sectors, as they explore how to reinvigorate our economies, address the problem of climate change and harness new technologies to build back a better world.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Boyles, a fuels specialist from the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, supports F-15E Strike Eagles as they prepare for a series of integrated training sorties during operation Castle Forge alongside F-16 aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force’s 110th Combat Wing at Larissa Air Base, Greece, Oct. 11, 2021. Castle Forge is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led, joint, multi-national operation. It provides a dynamic, partnership-focused training environment that raises the U.S. commitment to collective defense in the Black Sea region while enhancing interoperability alongside NATO allies (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).

U.S. Airmen from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, prepare their F-15E Strike Eagles for a series of training sorties conducted under Operation Castle Forge, alongside allies from the Hellenic Air Force’s 110th Combat Wing at Larissa Air Base, Greece, Oct. 11, 2021. The 110th Combat Wing flies the F-16 aircraft. Castle Forge is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led joint, multi-national operation. It demonstrates the joint force’s combined ability to respond in times of crisis with a flexible, reassuring presence (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).

U.S. Airmen from the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, prepare their F-15E Strike Eagles for a series of integrated training sorties during operation Castle Forge alongside F-16 aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force’s 110th Combat Wing at Larissa Air Base, Greece, Oct. 11, 2021. Castle Forge is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led, joint, multi-national operation. It demonstrates the joint force’s combined ability to respond in times of crisis with a flexible, reassuring presence (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cody Colyer, a fuels specialist with the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, coordinates with Hellenic Air Force Master Sgt. John Pliakos during operation Castle Forge at Larissa Air Base, Greece, Oct. 13, 2021. Castle Forge is a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led joint, multi-national operation. It provides a dynamic, partnership-focused training environment that raises the U.S. commitment to collective defense in the Black Sea region while enhancing interoperability alongside NATO allies (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Andrew Layton).

Two B-1B Lancers, from Dyess Air Force Base’s 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron currently operating from Royal Air Force Fairford, England, conduct hot pit refueling using the innovative Versatile Integrated Partner Equipment Refueling (VIPER) kit, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 11, 2021. This was in support of European Command’s Bomber task Force 22-1 mission support series using the VIPER kit, a hot pit refuel tool, supporting Agile Combat Employment operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chance Nardone)

An F-15E Strike Eagle is prepped to take off at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Oct. 4, 2021. The 336th Fighter Squadron is deploying jets to Larissa Air Base, Greece, in support of operation Castle Forge, a U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa-led joint, multi-national training event designed to provide a dynamic, partnership-focused environment that raises the U.S. commitment to collective defense in the Black Sea region.

Logistics Specialist Seaman Gianni Fenocchi, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella, loads a truck with bed cots, August 24, 2021, at Naval Air Station Sigonella (NASSIG), Italy. Fenocchi was among the more than 100 military and civilian personnel assigned to FLCSI who were temporarily re-assigned from their normal duties to provide logistics support during Operation Allies Refuge. (U.S. Navy photo by Joe Yanik)

During Operation Allies Welcome, a warehouse facility operated by Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella was converted temporarily to a housing facility for hundreds of evacuees from Afghanistan in August and September 2021 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Italy. NAS Sigonella is supporting the Department of State mission to facilitate the safe relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable populations from Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo by Joe Yanik)

During Operation Allies Welcome, a warehouse facility operated by Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella was converted temporarily to a housing facility for hundreds of evacuees from Afghanistan in August and September 2021 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Italy. NAS Sigonella is supporting the Department of State mission to facilitate the safe relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable populations from Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo by Joe Yanik)

Capt. Douglas S. MacKenzie, commanding officer of Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella, responds to questions from evacuees from Afghanistan about the command's quality-of-life services at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Aug. 29, 2021. NAS Sigonella is currently supporting the Department of State mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable populations from Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo by Joe Yanik)

Attendees of the Northern Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference took a few moments during the meeting to take a group photo on Sept. 30. The two-day event, which was co-hosted by the U.S. European Command and Finnish Defence Forces, brought together military leaders from 12 nations to discuss the security environment and its challenges in northern Europe and the Baltic Sea region.