Myers Consults With German Allies

Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers waves from the deck of a German Navy boat as he and his staff set off on a quick tour of Berlin on July 18. Myers met with his counterpart German Army Gen. Wolfgang Schneiderhan earlier in the day. Photo by Jim Garamone   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is visiting one of America's closest friends and most active allies in the war on terror. Immediately upon arrival, Myers - who flew fighters out of Ramstein Air Base in 1966 - held a series of talks with his counterpart, German Army Gen. Wolfgang Schneiderhan and his staff. Schneiderhan is the German military's chief of staff.

During a press conference at Federal Ministry of Defense, Schneiderhan said the ties between the American and German military remain strong, and the two countries are working together in many areas of the world.

Myers described the meetings with Schneiderhan and his staff as "fruitful." The general noted that while he meets with his German counterpart four or five times a year, it is important to meet one on one like this.

"We appreciate your country's good cooperation and major efforts in Afghanistan and your significant contributions to the International Security Assistance Force in that country," Myers said.

Myers also praised the German military for training Iraqi security forces as part of the NATO training mission. German soldiers and police train Iraqi recruits in the United Arab Emirates and in Europe. "We think continued cooperation and activity in this area is very, very important for the security of Iraq," Myers said.

Myers said he has been impressed with German involvement in the provincial reconstruction teams in Afghanistan. Germany has more than 2,000 servicemembers in Afghanistan. Myers said that when Afghanistan is on its feet and a functioning democracy, the German military can look on their work with pride.

Myers and Schneiderhan also discussed military transformation. The chairman received a briefing about German military efforts to increase airlift and sealift, to transform military medicine and to increase joint capabilities.

The men touched on the American global military footprint. Schneiderhan said that Germany welcomes the U.S. plan to base a Stryker brigade in the country. German officials said this will serve to keep the military-to-military ties strong between the two nations.

While here, Myers also spoke with Bernd Mutzelburg, Germany's foreign policy and national security adviser.