Stuttgart leaders visit U.S. European Command headquarters, receive operational update

Gen. Mirko Šundov, Croatian Chief of Defense, left, and Lt. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, deputy commander, EUCOM, arrive at Patch Barracks to discuss ongoing bilateral defense activities. The leaders discussed a broad range of topics, including defense modernization, Croatia’s participation in the EUCOM joint exercise program, medical capability development, and cyber defense and cooperation. Photo by EUCOM Public Affairs

Public Affairs
U.S. European Command

German civilian and military leaders from the Stuttgart area met with U.S. European Command directors in mid-February, as part of the command’s commitment to strengthening community relations.  

During the visit, guests toured the EUCOM Joint Operations Center for a firsthand look at how the command operates on a day-to-day basis.

Lt. Gen. Stephen M. Twitty, deputy commander, EUCOM, discussed the command’s role in the theater; the Northern Exercise Portfolio, to include the upcoming DEFENDER-Europe 20 exercise; USEUCOM’s strategic challenges; and the significance of Germany as host nation to the majority of U.S. forces in Europe and a key NATO Ally with common values.

Twitty conveyed the significance of Germany contributing to assurance and deterrence measures in Eastern Europe by serving as a framework nation for NATO’s enhanced forward presence initiative.

The visit reinforced the deeply rooted values and strong relationship between the U.S. and Germany, according a EUCOM press release. Approximately 35,000 U.S. military members are currently assigned in Germany. Stuttgart is host to five U.S. Army installations and two combatant commands.

“We don’t say this enough. Germany is a critical partner, a staunch ally,” Twitty said. “The vast capability and capacity that you bring to the [NATO] Alliance is unmatchable.”