The Director of U.S. European Command Directorate of Logistics is the newly-elected Chairman of the Board for the Multinational Logistics Coordination Centre and in this blog he talks about his visit to the centre and the benefits it brings to the members and USEUCOM.

Brigadier Gen. Blaine Holt, director, U.S. European Command Directorate of Logistics (sixth from left) poses with Czech Republic Army Col. Miroslav Pelikan , Director, Multinational Logistics Coordination Centre, or MLCC, (to Gen. Holt’s left) during the General’s a visit to the centre in Prague, Czech Republic, Dec. 16-18, 2013.The MLCC represents the front lines of multinational logistics and has the ability to bring together strategic partners to participate or observe in multinational logistics exercises.

Prague’s Christmas Market and the Jan Hus Memorial sit in the foreground of the Church of Our Lady in front of Týn in the historic Old Town in the Czech Republic, Dec. 17, 2013, when Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt, Director, U.S. European Command Directorate of Logistics visited the Multinational Logistics Coordination Centre hosted in the city. Prague’s central location makes it ideal to coordinate and facilitate multinational logistics capabilities among NATO Allies and Partnership for Peace nations. The MLCC represents the front lines of multinational logistics and has the ability to bring together strategic partners to participate or observe in multinational logistics exercises.

The Charles Bridge spans the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic Dec. 17, 2013, when Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt, Director, U.S. European Command Directorate of Logistics visited the city which is host to the Multinational Logistics Coordination Centre. Prague’s central location makes it ideal to coordinate and facilitate multinational logistics capabilities among NATO Allies and Partnership for Peace nations. The MLCC represents the front lines of multinational logistics and has the ability to bring together strategic partners to participate or observe in multinational logistics exercises.

The 81st Fighter Squadron is participating in a Ramstein ROVER 2012 Sept. 5-22.

NAMEST AIR BASE, Czech Republic -- Capt. Bennet Merriman, 81st Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, puts on his flight equipment before a close air support and forward air control training mission Sept. 10, during Ramstein Rover 2012 here. RARO 12 is a NATO partnership building exercise involving more than 16 nations. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 81st FS are participating in the exercise to provide close air support to partnering nations and practice forward air control missions with their NATO allies in international security assistance force realistic scenarios. During this mission the 81st FS pilots supported German and Italian forward air controllers. Participating in exercises like RARO 12 ensures effective employment of airpower in support of alliance or coalition forces while mitigating risks to civilians in contingency operations.

NAMEST AIR BASE, Czech Republic -- An Airman from the 81st Fighter Squadron looks on as an A-10 Thunderbolt II taxis down the runway before taking off for a close air support and forward air control training mission Sept. 10, during Ramstein Rover 2012 here. RARO 12 is a NATO partnership building exercise involving more than 16 nations. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 81st FS are participating in the exercise to provide close air support to partnering nations and practice forward air control missions with their NATO allies in international security assistance force realistic scenarios. During this mission the 81st FS pilots supported German and Italian forward air controllers. Participating in exercises like RARO 12 ensures effective employment of airpower in support of alliance or coalition forces while mitigating risks to civilians in contingency operations.

Ten U.S. soldiers from the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, also known as the 18th CSSB, competed with 40 foreign-national soldiers from the Czech Republic and Germany during the Tri-Nation Competition hosted by the Joint Multinational Training Command at training facilities at Grafenwoehr, Germany, and in Hradiste, a location southeast of the Czech Republic close to the border of Slovakia, June 26-28.

A team of Czech, U.S., and German soldiers reel in a teammate from their hand-made bridge at the Leader Reaction Course during the 2012 Tri-Nation Competition at the Joint Multinational Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area, June 26-27. The event fostered teamwork and camaraderie, while highlighting trans-border and civil-military cooperation.

A culturally-diverse team of soldiers eagerly await their scores after competing in the Engagement Skills Trainer event during the 2012 Tri-Nation Competition, June 26-27. The three participating countries split their soldiers into five teams consisting of Czech, US, and German soldiers during the two-day competition at the Grafenwoehr Training Area and HradisteTraining Area in the Czech Republic.

The people of Pilsen are not the only ones this weekend honoring the World War Two veterans who liberated this city in 1945. Mixed into the crowd, taking in all the exhibits, the food and local culture are modern day soldiers from the U.S. Army Europe, the soldiers who carry the torch today, following in the footsteps of the greatest generation from sixty-seven years ago.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bryan Denny of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center portrays a motorcycle troop from Gen. George Patton's Third Army during the Liberation Convoy at the Pilsen Liberation Festival May 5, 2012. The city of Pilsen, Czech Republic, holds an annual celebration in honor of the American soldiers who fought there in the closing days of World War II.

Relations between the U.S. and the Czech Republic are excellent and reflect the common approach both have to the many challenges facing the world at present. The U.S. looks to the Czech Republic as a partner in issues ranging from Afghanistan to the Balkans, and seeks opportunities to continue to deepen this relationship.

Flag of Czech Republic

Coordination and synchronization between conventional and special operations forces (SOF) is crucial on the modern battlefield since both share integral roles within an area of responsibility – whether it involves intelligence gathering or conducting combat operations.

Nearly 1,400 participants of more than 40 countries and organizations gathered at the Joint Multinational Simulations Center (JMSC) at Grafenwoehr Training Area for the U.S. European Command’s (EUCOM’s) exercise, Combined Endeavor 2010, the world’s largest military communications and information systems exercise, Sept. 2-16.

RAMSTEIN, Germany — The 22nd Fighter Squadron at Spangdhalem Air Base and 351st Air Refueling Squadron from RAF Lakenheath are partnering with air forces from the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Turkey to participate in the large-scale NATO Response Force Air Live Germany-hosted Exercise BRILLIANT ARDENT 10 (BAT 10) running from April 12-22.