U.S. European Command’s (USEUCOM) logistics directorate and senior representatives from the U.S. – Adriatic Charter nations met from May 8-10, 2024 in Tirana, Albania to discuss ideas and proposals in the field of logistics. The discussions also set the stage for follow-on discussions at the 27th U.S.-Adriatic Charter's Chief of Defense conference to be held later this year and where Albania will once again be the host.
The U.S. - Adriatic Charter nations, consisting of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the U.S. periodically convene to discuss solutions for defense modernization, security issues and other charter objectives such as Euro-Atlantic integration. This round of discussions focused on ways to advance key logistics knowledge and capacity as part of USEUCOM’s Theater Logistics Readiness Program and culminated with each country’s signature on the Logistics Support, Services, and Supply Memorandum of Understanding under the Adriatic Charter framework.
“We’ve found approaches for providing additional logistics training that have led to tangible improvements for each logistician within a relatively short timeframe,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James G. Kent, USEUCOM's logistics director. “Ensuring responsive and flexible logistics is vital for seamlessly supporting the warfighter across diverse terrains and circumstances. We are committed to enhancing our collective capabilities to support European military operations and exercises.”
Leaders discussed current and future efforts for reception, staging and onward movement training, as well as identified additional options to strengthen each nation’s overall logistics capacity.
The logistics curriculum, that began last June, provides in-depth coursework to students to build their knowledge of contemporary NATO logistics systems and processes. Representatives from each Adriatic Charter nation regularly attend sessions held across Europe to build their overall logistics proficiency.
“Each nation’s ability to mobilize its own military units, while supporting collective defense in southeastern Europe, is essential for deterrence and military success,” said U.S. Army Col. Michael Lindley, USEUCOM's deputy director of logistics and senior representative at the conference. “The U.S.-Adriatic Charter nations have demonstrated their proficiency in achieving charter goals since it formed more than 20-years ago. Our collaboration will expand their ability to rapidly deploy forces by enhancing their knowledge of logistics service and support systems and operations.”
For its part, the USEUCOM Logistics Directorate identifies opportunities for integrated logistics under varying conditions, as well as tracking, reporting and consumption rates in U.S. and combined operations to ensure critical materiel and logistics capabilities support force needs. The connection between USEUCOM as the U.S. military logistics provider in Europe and its European Allies and partners helps to promote standardization of combined and joint logistics campaign planning and execution while laying the foundation for future joint effort.
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About USEUCOM
U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) is responsible for U.S. military operations across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. USEUCOM is comprised of more than 64,000 military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and partners. The command is one of two U.S. forward-deployed geographic combatant commands headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. For more information about USEUCOM, visit https://www.eucom.mil.