Gen. Breedlove recognizes the completion of MV Cape Ray's mission to destroy Syrian chemicals.

Gen. Philip Breedlove, Commander, U.S. European Command, provides remarks during the US-Belgium Memorial Day service at Flanders Field Cemetery in Waregem, Belgium on May 25, 2014.

An Italian AV-8 Harrier lands on the deck of the Italian navy ship ITS Cavour during Brilliant Mariner Exercise 13. The exercise includes a total of 13 allies testing capabilities such as replenishment at sea, medical evacuation and vessel boarding as well as air defense and anti-surface naval artillery. Brilliant Mariner runs from Sept. 23 through Oct. 6.

Allied navy ships steam ahead during Brilliant Mariner Exercise 13. The exercise includes a total of 13 allies testing capabilities such as replenishment at sea, medical evacuation and vessel boarding as well as air defense and anti-surface naval artillery. Brilliant Mariner runs from Sept. 23 through Oct. 6.

Gen. Phil Breedlove, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command stands aboard the Italian navy ship ITS Cavour during North Atlantic Council Sea Day during the Brilliant Mariner Exercise 13. The exercise includes a total of 13 allies testing capabilities such as replenishment at sea, medical evacuation and vessel boarding as well as air defense and anti-surface naval artillery. Brilliant Mariner runs from Sept. 23 through Oct. 6.

Gen. Breedlove talks about the talent and potential in our non-commissioned officer corps.

Gen. Breedlove shares his thoughts about the importance of staying connected to our loved ones.

A key pillar of NATO’s deterrence is the strength, flexibility and high quality of its air power. In Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR over Libya, NATO jets flew some 26,000 sorties, including more than 9,600 strike missions

Recently I have read of concern in Poland of decreasing U.S. engagement due to the U.S. “rebalance” to Asia, thereby losing interest in Poland and Europe as strategic partners. Nothing could be further from the truth!

One crew chief waves to another during the beginning of a familiarization flight in Poland. Six aircraft from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, deployed to Poland as part of a partnership-building event July 15-26, 2013.

Members of the Polish Armed forces render a salute during an Aviation Detachment (AV DET) activation ceremony on the flightline of Lask Air Base, Poland, Nov. 9, 2012. The AV DET will be an enduring presence with 10 Airmen, but F-16 and C-130 crews and aircraft will rotate periodically for training, where the total number of personnel could surge up to 250. The AV DET supports Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

SOCEUR continues to focus on expanding theater-wide SOF capabilities in a manner that "thickens our lines” by training, developing, and enabling European SOF Allies and partners to deploy to Afghanistan as part of Combined Special Operations Task Force 10 (CSOTF-10), which serves under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.

California Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 129th Rescue Wing arrive home to Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif., after a 4 month deployment to Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa on June 11, 2013. During their deployments aircrew members, maintainers and support personnel from the 129th provided combat search and rescue support to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Given the challenges in Afghanistan, the progress that ISAF and their Afghan partners continue to make is monumental. This progress, however, is not widely reflected in much of the coverage we see about Afghanistan. In fact, most of the stories in the media highlight the instances of violence along with the dozens of other challenges ISAF, the ANSF and the people of Afghanistan face every day.