Ships from the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), U.S. Sixth Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), and Italian Navy frigates Carlo Margottini (F 592) and Virginio Fasan (F 591) sail in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 3, 2023. The two carrier strike groups are operating in the area at the direction of the Secretary of Defense to bolster deterrence in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Janae Chambers)

U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and currently deployed to RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, conducted a Bomber Task Force mission, collaborating closely with fighter jets from NATO Allies the Czech Republic and Hungary over Eastern Europe on Oct. 26, 2023.

U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and currently deployed to RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, conducted a Bomber Task Force mission, collaborating closely with fighter jets from NATO Allies the Czech Republic and Hungary over Eastern Europe on Oct. 26, 2023.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group transits the Strait of Gibraltar, Oct. 28, 2023. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment to provide the national command authority flexible, tailorable, warfighting capability to maintain maritime stability and to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Merissa Daley)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Chris McKinney, U.S. European command’s deputy director for the Security Cooperation and Partnering Division and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, and Italian Brig. Gen. Alessandro Grassano, deputy chief of the III Department of the Defence General Staff, International Relations and Arm Control. (Courtesy photo by RTSD South Italy VI-Team Vicenza)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, the U.S. European Command strategy, plans and policy director, right; British Brig. Leigh R. Tingey, the EUCOM vice director for partnership, security cooperation and space capability, left; Finnish Defence Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy Lt. Gen. Janne Jaakkola, center; and 27 members of FDF High Command Course meet to discuss defense cooperation at EUCOM headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, on Oct. 19, 2023.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, the U.S. European Command strategy, plans and policy director, fourth from left; J-5 Vice Director Brig. Leigh R. Tingey, fourth from right; Finnish Defence Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy Lt. Gen. Janne Jaakkola, center; and 27 members of FDF High Command Course meet in front of EUCOM Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, on Oct. 19, 2023.

U.S. and Luxembourg officials break ground on the deployable air base system support and storage facilities being built at the Warehouses Service Agency complex in Sanem, Luxembourg, on Oct. 19, 2023. The project supports the readiness and responsiveness of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, reinforcing NATO’s collective defense and deterrence.

U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Det 4 Design and Construction Chief Allan Lucht, Det 4 Project Manager Ned Harshbarger, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District Project Manager Khang Ho discuss the deployable air base system support and storage facilities being built at the Warehouses Service Agency complex in Sanem, Luxembourg before a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 19, 2023. The project supports the readiness and responsiveness of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, reinforcing NATO’s collective defense and deterrence.

U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, the commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, meets with Lt. Gen. Vasko Gjurchinovski, the chief of defense of North Macedonia and country host for the U.S. – Adriatic Charter Chiefs of Defense Conference held Sept. 26-28, 2023, in Skopje, North Macedonia. Chiefs of defense from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, as well as the U.S. and observer nations Kosovo and Slovenia, discussed the security situation in Europe and expressed solidarity with Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked invasion.

U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, the commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, meets with North Macedonia Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska while attending the U.S. – Adriatic Charter Chiefs of Defense Conference Sept. 26-28, 2023, in Skopje, North Macedonia. Chiefs of defense from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, as well as the U.S. and observer nations Kosovo and Slovenia, discussed the security situation in Europe and expressed solidarity with Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked invasion.

U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, center, the commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, speaks to participants at the U.S. – Adriatic Charter Chiefs of Defense Conference, held Sept. 26-28, 2023, in Skopje, North Macedonia. Chiefs of defense from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, as well as the U.S. and observer nations Kosovo and Slovenia, discussed the security situation in Europe and expressed solidarity with Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked invasion.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft is deployed to Lask Air Base in Poland. NATO's air forces regularly conduct deployments abroad to further strengthen Alliance cohesion and collective defense. (Archive U.S. Air Force photo by 52nd Fighter wing)

The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Trieste, Italy, for a scheduled port visit Sept. 17, 2023. Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, representing a generational leap in the U.S. Navy's capacity to project power on a global scale. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell walks Danish military officials across Washington Square at the U.S. European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, on Sept. 20, 2023. Meeting on the heels of Denmark taking delivery of its first fifth-generation aircraft, the American-produced F-35 Lightning, only underscored the close and enduring military relationships shared by the two nations.

U.S. and Danish military officials meet at the U.S. European Command headquarters building on Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, on Sept. 20, 2023. Meeting on the heels of Denmark taking delivery of its first fifth-generation aircraft, the American-produced F-35 Lightning, only underscored the close and enduring military relationships shared by the two nations.

A Royal Danish Air Force F-16 and Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 intercept a U.S. B-1 Lancer during an training mission as part of exercise Noble Defender on June 28, 2023. The exercise was conducted by the North American Aerospace Defense Command to demonstrate the close cooperation between the U.S., Canada and European Allies and partners and to strengthen the collective ability to respond to threats on short notice.

Key leaders six Allied countries: Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Belgium, participated in a professional seminar focused on the importance of cyber capabilities Sept. 11-15, 2023, at the NATO Support and Procurement Agency in Luxembourg. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. European Command and Luxembourg’s Directorate of Defense co-hosted a professional seminar focused on the importance of cyber capabilities Sept. 11-15, 2023, at the NATO Support and Procurement Agency in Luxembourg. (Courtesy photo)

American and Swedish Marines side-by-side in a Swedish Stridsbåt 90 (combat boat 90) during Archipelago Endeavor 23 in Sweden. Archipelago Endeavor is an integrated, Swedish Armed Forces-led exercise that increases operational capability and enhances strategic cooperation between the U.S. Marines and Swedish forces.

Exercise Sea Breeze 2023-3 kicked off Sept. 11, 2023, in Constanta, Romania. The event is a land and sea-based exercise with multinational Allies and partners. The exercise's purpose is to enhance the capabilities of Black Sea and Partnership for Peace maritime security forces, while progressively training and preparing the Ukraine Maritime Command staff. (U.S. Navy photo)

A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, conducts a simulated rescue mission during exercise Cobra Warrior off the coast of England on Sept. 13, 2023. The exercise allowed the 56th RSQ to execute joint personnel recovery operations and foster interoperability alongside Allies and partners.

From left, U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Rayner, commander of the 435th Contingency Response Group, is joined by U.S. Air Force Maj. Philip "Flip" West, U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa MQ-9A Reaper subject matter expert, and Polish Air Force Col. Marcin Szubiński, commander of 12th UAV Air Base, to discuss future interoperability and integration of the MQ9-A Reaper Satellite Launch and Recovery Package (SLR-P). The three observed a SLR-P proof-of-concept event in Mirosławiec, Poland, Aug. 30, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Gabriele Gocso)

U.S. Army Spc. Brandon Streets, an indirect fire infantryman, assigned to the Georgia Army National Guard, loads a mortar while Spc. Joshua Corder, an indirect fire infantryman with the Georgia Army National Guard, input data into the mortar at Vaziani Training Area, Georgia on August 29, 2023. Exercise Agile Spirit 23 is designed to support theater security cooperation and interoperability among NATO Allies and partners to improve joint and multinational readiness and capability.

A B-2 Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., arrives in Keflavik, Iceland, to participate in a Bomber Task Force Europe operation with NATO Allies on Aug. 13, 2023. BTFs provide U.S. and NATO leaders with strategic options to assure, deter and defend against adversary aggression against the Alliance, throughout Europe, and across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Heather Salazar)

Maj. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak Jr. is the Chief of Staff, Headquarters United States European Command, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group sails in formation with NATO allied ships during an integrated sailing event during Neptune Strike, July 11, 2023. The ships sailing include the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), French Navy frigate FS Languedoc (D653), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) and Italian guided-missile frigate ITS Carabiniere (F593).

Swedish Jas 39 Gripens escort two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers through Swedish airspace as they make their way to Luleå Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 19, 2023. The bombers landed in Sweden for the first time ever as part of Bomber Task Force Europe 2023-3, a long-planned bomber rotation in support of U.S. European Command and NATO deterrence initiatives. This arrival of strategic bombers in Sweden highlights U.S. and Swedish cooperation and the ability of U.S. forces to seamlessly integrate with Allied and partner nations. (Courtesy photo by Flygvapnet/the Swedish air force)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jose Borda, a CH-47F Chinook crew chief, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division (1AD CAB), supervises as relief supplies are unloaded from his aircraft in Elbistan, Türkiye on Feb. 14, 2023. The 1AD CAB provides dynamic lift capability in direct support of USAID and Turkish relief efforts, to those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye. Defense and disaster relief activities were just two of the topics covered during annual U.S.-Türkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks held at EUCOM headquarters June 13-15, 2023.

A U.S. Marine assigned to Task Force 61/2, begins to unload humanitarian aid at Serinyol, Türkiye, Feb. 25, 2023. At the request of the Turkish government, U.S. military personnel assigned to Task Force 61/2 and 39th Air Base Wing are tasked with building a field hospital for the citizens who were affected by the Feb. 6 earthquake. Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2) is operating under U.S. Sixth Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR), and U.S. European Command as part of the International Turkish disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released)

Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, Deputy Director for EUCOM’s J5 Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Directorate (left) and Brig. Gen. Tansel Cokuysal, head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Turkish General Staff, (right) led their respective delegations during the annual U.S.-Turkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks held at EUCOM headquarters June 13-15, 2023.

U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander, U.S. European Command, co-hosted the two-day 2023 Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Romanian Gen. Daniel Petrescu, Romanian Chief of Defense Staff, in Bucharest, Romania, from June 8-9, 2023.

U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander, U.S. European Command, co-hosted the two-day 2023 Central Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Romanian Gen. Daniel Petrescu, Romanian Chief of Defense Staff, in Bucharest, Romania, from June 8-9, 2023. During the event, leaders discussed logistics and support to Ukraine, combined operations, and intelligence sharing. It also provided a venue for leaders to strengthen military-to-military relationships toward solving complex, regional challenges.

From left, the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), and Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F 362) depart Tallinn, Estonia, June 4, 2023, to participate in Baltic Operations 2023. BALTOPS 23 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (Courtesy photo by Sgt. Martti Kallas, Estonian Defence Forces)

Members of a U.S. Army Special Operations Joint Terminal Attack Controller team demonstrate to U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael Murphy how the JTACs communicate with B1-B Lancers during a training bomber support mission flyover near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on May 30, 2023. The mission, as part of Bomber Task Force 23-3, ensures the U.S. and its Allies are ready and postured to deter threats and respond to aggression if needed. (DoD photo by Adnan Bujak, U.S. Embassy Bosnia and Herzegovina)

A Norwegian F-35 Lightning II receives fuel from a MAINEiac KC-135 Stratotanker above the Arctic Circle, May 29, 2023. The crews are taking part in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2023, a live fly exercise that serves to advance arctic security initiatives and enhance interoperability in the increasingly dynamic and contested region.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors participate in joint training with Romanian and Italian Air Forces over Câmpia Turzii, May 23, 2023. U.S. Air Force fifth-generation fighters supporting NATO Allied Air Command’s Air Shielding mission along the Eastern Flank.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors participate in joint training with Romanian and Italian Air Forces over Câmpia Turzii, May 23, 2023. U.S. Air Force fifth-generation fighters supporting NATO Allied Air Command’s Air Shielding mission along the Eastern Flank. (Courtesy Photo)

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors participate in joint training with Romanian and Italian Air Forces over Câmpia Turzii, May 23, 2023. U.S. Air Force fifth-generation fighters supporting NATO Allied Air Command’s Air Shielding mission along the Eastern Flank.

U.S. European Command’s Air Force foreign area officers participate in the first Air Force EUCOM FAO Symposium on May 19, 2023, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Forty-nine FAOs from around the world participated in person and virtually in the full day of academic discussions, professional development and innovative collaboration workshops. (Courtesy photo)