Chiefs of defense from Central and Eastern reinforced the importance of NATO and their alliance and partnerships emphasizing proven partnerships built on shared values, experiences and vision.

The commander, European Forces Command, Admiral James Stavridis was in Zagreb Feb. 18 to present Lieutenant General Drago Lovric, the Chief of Defence of the Croatian Armed Forces with the Legion of Merit.

Just back from Sweden and Finland -- not NATO allies, but certainly premier partners both. I visited both in my hat as Commander of US European Command.

The U.S. State Department presented a Polish admiral and graduate of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies with an American military medal March 22.

As I mentioned in my vlog last week I was in Bergen, Norway during my official co-hosting duties with the Norwegian Chief of Defense, General Harald Sunde, for the Northern European Chief of Defense (CHOD) Conference. As "The Fjord Capital of Norway", Bergen is often described as "a city with its feet in the sea, its head in the skies, and its heart in the right place." What I didn't mention in the vlog is I found myself in a situation that affected my head and heart before the conference had even begun.

Admiral Jim Stavridis comments on the Northern European Chief of Defense Conference held today in Bergen, Norway at the historic fortress, Bergenhus Castle, located at the entrance to the harbor. Military leaders from Nordic and Baltic countries to include Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, and of course, the host country of Norway joined the Admiral to discuss regional issues and challenges that they share.

I attended a fascinating event on Friday night in Ankara: the change of command ceremony for the Chief of the Turkish General Staff, the senior military officer in Turkey.

SIDNEY, Australia - On August 4 Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, concluded his official visit to Australia, upon invitation from the Australian Military Authorities.

Headed home over the South Pacific after four days in Australia and New Zealand, strong allies and partners in Afghanistan as part of our 45-nation International Security Force – it was an excellent visit.