U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli gives his remarks during his change of command ceremony for U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, on July 1, 2022. Upon taking command from U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, Cavoli assumed responsibility 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 permanently assigned military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and Partners. (U.S. Army Photo By Sgt. Patrik Orcutt)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hands the EUCOM guidon to U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, during a change of command ceremony for U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, on July 1, 2022. Upon taking command from U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, Cavoli assumed responsibility 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 permanently assigned military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and Partners. (U.S. Army Photo By Sgt. Patrik Orcutt)

From Left: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley, U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli and U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters stand at attention for the playing of the Armed Forces Medley during a change of command ceremony for U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, on July 1, 2022. Upon taking command from Wolters, Cavoli assumed responsibility 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 permanently assigned military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and Partners. (U.S. Army Photo By Sgt. Patrik Orcutt)

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley, gives his opening remarks during a change of command ceremony for U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, on July 1, 2022. Upon taking command from U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli assumed responsibility 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 permanently assigned military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and Partners. (U.S. Army Photo By Sgt. Patrik Orcutt)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III gives his remarks during a change of command ceremony for U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, on July 1, 2022. Upon taking command from U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli assumed responsibility 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 permanently assigned military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and Partners. (U.S. Army Photo By Sgt. Patrik Orcutt)

Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli

President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speak at the beginning of the Madrid Summit in Spain, June 29, 2022. Biden announced changes in U.S. force posture in Europe to counter Russian aggression. (DOD photo by Joel Chalfin)

Gen. Darryl Williams, the new commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, accepts the guidon from Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, during the change of command ceremony on June 28, 2022, at Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany. Williams assumed command from Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who will move on to become commander of U.S. European Command and NATO's SACEUR. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Fry)

Maj. Gen. (Select) Steven G. Edwards, second from right, assumes command of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe from Maj. Gen. David H. Tabor, right, in a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, June 28, 2022. Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of U.S. European Command, left, presided over the ceremony, with Gen. Richard D. Clarke, commander of Special Operations Command in attendance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Isabelle S. Dickey-Kappenman)

Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, left, assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Forces Command Naples from Adm. Robert P. Burke, second from left, during a change of command ceremony held in Lago Patria, Italy, June 27, 2022. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, the commander of U.S. European Command and North Atlantic Treaty Organization Supreme Allied Commander Europe, center, and Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, the commander of U.S. Africa Command, served as the presiding officers of the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo)

U.S. Air Force Gens. Tod D. Wolters, the commander of U.S. European Command, left, and Jeffrey L. Harrigian, the outgoing commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command, right, look on as Gen. James B. Hecker receives the USAFE-AFAFRICA guidon from Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David W. Allvin. The change of command ceremony was held at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jared Lovett)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Edward "Hertz" Vaughan, USEUCOM's deputy director for security cooperation, policy, partnering and space capabilities, met with Bulgarian Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov on June 8, 2022 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Vaughan thanked Eftimov for Bulgaria's security leadership in the Balkans and Black Sea regions and the two discussed opportunities for further bilateral and Allied security cooperation.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. "Hertz" Vaughan walks the flight line at Graf Ingatievo Air Base with Bulgarian Brig. Gen. "Hunter" Rusev, base commander, on June 7, 2022. The two fighter pilots toured the Soviet-era fighter jet flying operation and discussed Bulgaria's transition to the NATO interoperable F-16 fighter jet.

The USEUCOM team and U.S. Embassy Sofia defense team pose for a photo with Major General Mateev and staff at the Bulgarian Joint Special Operations Command near Plovdiv, Bulgaria on June 7, 2022. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. "Hertz" Vaughan and a team of USEUCOM security cooperation professionals visited Bulgaria to discuss current and future security cooperation with Bulgarian defense leaders.

Bulgarian Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. "Hertz" Vaughan discuss infrastructure planning in Sofia, Bulgaria on June 8, 2022. Bulgarian leaders are planning additional infrastructure upgrades at training areas throughout the country to enhance multi-domain training opportunities.

U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Command Europe leaders met the week of June 8 for staff talks, reinforcing the strong collaboration and synchronization between the two organizations. The staff talks were initiated in 2018 to strengthen transparency and understanding between the U.S. and NATO. German Navy Adm. Joachim Ruhle led the SHAPE staff, and Maj. Gen. Lamontagne led the USEUCOM Staff.

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert V. Abernethy passes the guide-on in a change of responsibility ceremony for U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Abernethy, a South Carolina native, assumed responsibility from Chief Master Sgt. Phillip L. Easton, who served as the command's top enlisted adviser since August 2019. The EUCOM senior enlisted leader will lead more than 82,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians across 400 bases, while coordinating with five component commands and encouraging professional development and capacity building among European Allies and Partners.

Chief Master Sgt. Phillip L. Easton, outgoing Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. European Command, speaks during the change of responsibility ceremony, Stuttgart, Germany, Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Command Master Sgt. Robert V. Abernethy, a South Carolina native, assumed responsibility from Easton, who served as the command's top enlisted adviser since August 2019. The EUCOM senior enlisted leader will lead more than 82,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians across 400 bases, while coordinating with five component commands and encouraging professional development and capacity building among European Allies and Partners.

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert V. Abernethy, incoming Senior Enlisted Leader for U.S. European Command speaks during his change of responsibility ceremony, Stuttgart, Germany, Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Abernethy, a South Carolina native, assumed responsibility from Chief Master Sgt. Phillip L. Easton, who served as the command's top enlisted adviser since August 2019. The EUCOM senior enlisted leader will lead more than 82,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Guardians across 400 bases, while coordinating with five component commands and encouraging professional development and capacity building among European Allies and Partners.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov attend the Ukraine Defense Consultative Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 26, 2022. Austin met with his NATO counterparts and over 40 other nations to discuss both the current and future defense needs of Ukraine. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)

Gen. Tod D. Wolters, the commander of U.S. European Command, meets with WWII veteran Neal McCallum in the Normandy region of France on June 5, 2022, during the 78th anniversary of D-Day. A Marine with the 6th Marine Division, Mr. McCallum served in the Pacific during WWII. (U.S. Department of Defense photo)

Gen. Tod D. Wolters, the commander of U.S. European Command, meets with D-Day veteran Dick Rung in the Normandy region of France on June 5, 2022, during the 78th anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, Motor Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Rung landed on Omaha Beach in Landing Craft Tank 539. (U.S. Department of Defense photo)

U.S. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied commander, delivers a speech during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, May 28, 2022. The cemetery is the final resting ground of 7,845 Americans who lost their lives while liberating Italy during World War II. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew James Eder)

U.S. Navy Sailors and Italian service members assigned to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, May 28, 2022. The cemetery is the final resting ground of 7,845 Americans who lost their lives while liberating Italy during World War II. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew James Eder)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Agencies Cindy Hensley McCain delivers a speech during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, May 28, 2022. The cemetery is the final resting ground of 7,845 Americans who lost their lives while liberating Italy during World War II. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew James Eder)

A joint force honor guard parades the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, May 28, 2022. The cemetery is the final resting ground of 7,845 Americans who lost their lives while liberating Italy during World War II. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew James Eder)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade from Aviano Air Base, Italy, render a 21-gun salute during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, May 28, 2022. The cemetery is the final resting ground of 7,845 Americans who lost their lives while liberating Italy during World War II. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew James Eder)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Sarah Schechter, a chaplain from the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, delivers the invocation during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, May 28, 2022. The cemetery is the final resting ground of 7,845 Americans who lost their lives while liberating Italy during World War II. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew James Eder)

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski, Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak and Poland Provided Infrastructure Program Manager U.S. Army Col. Eric McFadden speak following the groundbreaking ceremony for the Munitions Storage Area being constructed in Powidz, Poland June 2, 2022. The ceremony marked the beginning of the Poland Provided Infrastructure program, which provides a mechanism for sharing the costs for U.S. forces in Poland. Infrastructure projects are funded by Poland and are designed and constructed to meet U.S. requirements for use by U.S. forces operating in Poland. For its part, the U.S. will continue to bear the costs of training, equipping, deploying and employment of U.S. forces in the country. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District)

Capt. Jenavee Viernes, a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) team leader, left, and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Deon Johnson, a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recovery team noncommissioned officer, right, sift through dirt during a recovery mission in Brandenburg, Germany, July 7, 2021. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Thompson)

Senior Airman Colton Perkins, a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recovery service member, refills a previously excavated site during a recovery mission in Brandenburg, Germany, July 6, 2021. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Thompson)

Members of U.S. Air Force 820th Base Defense Group, a unit which supports Special Operations Forces (SOF) and the Department of Defense’s Immediate Response Force, train in simulated tactical combat casualty care during Exercise Trojan Footprint 22 near Udbina, Croatia, May 4, 2022. Exercise Trojan Footprint is the premier special operations forces exercise in Europe that focuses on improving the ability of SOF to counter myriad threats, increases integration with conventional forces and enhances interoperability with our NATO allies and European partners. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Hannah Hawkins)

A Norwegian soldier with Armoured Battalion, Brigade Nord, Norwegian Army, runs off a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 (HMH-366), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, during Exercise Cold Response 22 in Setermoen, Norway, March 15, 2022. Exercise Cold Response 22 is a biennial Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, including 26 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allied nations and regional partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. William Chockey)

A Countdown to the 70th Anniversary

A Countdown to the 70th Anniversary

Brig Gen Enno Mõts, chief of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defense Force, delivers remarks during the Baltic Sea C5I Synchronization Board April 22 in Stuttgart, Germany. The Baltic Sea C5I Synchronization Board was established after a milestone Terms of Reference arrangement was signed in Oct. 2021 in Tallinn, Estonia. This arrangement reaffirmed the U.S. and Baltic Allies’ commitment to improve warfighting interoperability among all parties and across all domains to be better postured to defend against future threats.

Lithuanian Armed Forces' Cmdr. Albertas Padriezas provides an update from the Maritime Component Working Group during the Baltic Sea C5I Synchronization Board Apr. 22 in Stuttgart, Germany. U.S. Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian military leaders met to strengthen their nations' information systems' interoperability during the USEUCOM-hosted event.

Two military officers from the Latvian Armed Forces discuss briefing details during the Baltic Sea C5I Synchronization Board April 22 in Stuttgart, Germany. During the event, U.S., Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian military leaders met to strengthen their nations’ information systems’ interoperability.