eucom-2014-congressional-posture-statement

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investment in key infrastructure, our daily dialogue with our Italian counterparts, and our support to the evolution of Italian military capabilities is critical to maintaining the access we enjoy today. Italian installations have been crucial for regional operations in the past, where the U.S. has deployed, at short-notice, forces to conduct missions such as Operation ODYSSEY DAWN over Libya in 2011, the precursor to NATO’s Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. Italy remains critical to the United States by providing a staging base for “new normal” embassy protection and crisis response in Northern Africa. EUCOM’s current relationship with Poland exemplifies the mutual benefit of working more closely with our Central European allies. Poland is a pivotal nation in our theater who has emerged as a key leader in the NATO alliance. The Poles have recently undertaken a ten-year $45 billion modernization plan to upgrade their military capabilities. These upgrades will only serve to enhance Polish security, improve its military relationship with the United States and serve NATO’s Article 5 and expeditionary requirements. Furthermore, EUCOM sees great value in the increased visibility and presence of U.S. forces in Poland. Our multi-faceted military engagement with Poland includes cooperation across a variety of initiatives to include regional missile defense, the establishment of a U.S. aviation detachment, and multinational exercises allowing the United States to maintain strong defensive ties with this important power. Romania is another example where EUCOM is building a strong security relationship. Romania continues its progress towards becoming a more modern, NATO-interoperable force. It has proven to be a consistent and dependable Ally well-poised to be a leader in the Black Sea region. The Romanian government offers troops to NATO without caveats, provides nearly unfettered access for training, including the Marine Corps’ Black Sea Rotational Force, and partners with the U.S. in providing strategic access in hosting the Aegis Ashore missile defense 18
site. Romania is a key node for ISAF’s retrograde from Afghanistan by providing the U.S. and NATO unfettered use of its airbase at Mihail Kogalniceanu. Additional efforts are focused towards maintaining the niche capabilities Romania has developed to date, such as its combatproven land and special operations forces. Most recently, Romania has committed to its transition to a NATO interoperable air force with its agreement to purchase 12 F-16 fighter aircraft, making it an evolving regional leader in air surveillance capabilities and air force modernization. A fourth country I would like mention is Ukraine. Although Ukraine is not currently seeking NATO membership, it continues to contribute military forces to NATO operations. Our military-to-military relationship with Ukraine has been positive and EUCOM supports its NATO-interoperability efforts for select ground, air, and most notably, naval units. Most recently, EUCOM’s SEA BREEZE exercise enabled Ukraine to meet NATO certification standards for its flagship frigate, which then deployed to Operation OCEAN SHIELD last fall. Ukraine has also participated in Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR periodically since 2004, contributed forces to STEADFAST JAZZ in 2013, as well as to KFOR and ISAF. Recent Russian aggression could put in jeopardy Ukraine’s ability to contribute to NATO and any U.S. operations and exercises. It is important we continue to support Ukrainian cooperative activities with NATO and U.S. forces to enhance our mutually beneficial relationship. B. Additional Areas of Effort In addition to these seven focus areas, there are ongoing initiatives that require our continued support and diligence to meet the challenges we face with our European Partners. 1. Continue to support Europe’s missile defense <strong>posture</strong> 19
Page 1 and 2: STATEMENT OF GENERAL PHILIP BREEDLO
Page 3 and 4: egard to critical access, willing a
Page 5 and 6: their ability to operate together.
Page 7 and 8: First, U.S. forces in Europe contin
Page 9 and 10: have the effect of preventing force
Page 11 and 12: A. My Command Focus Areas To meet t
Page 13 and 14: 3. Fully support and enable the NAT
Page 15 and 16: Additionally, the U.S.-Israeli exer
Page 17: Russia remains intent on reassertin
Page 21 and 22: 2. Maintain a safe, secure, and eff
Page 23 and 24: EUCOM JCC implemented a theater Cyb
Page 25 and 26: fighter squadrons, coupled with the
Page 27 and 28: significant halfway point between t
Page 29 and 30: our mission critical infrastructure
Page 31 and 32: cohesion and sustains a mission-rea

eucom-2014-congressional-posture-statement

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