In late April, I'll travel to Berlin to give one of the final speeches of my four years as the Supreme Allied Commander for NATO's global operations.In what will be a bit of a valedictory address, I shall talk about the challenges the Alliance faces in the time ahead -- there are many. I'll also offer some thoughts and solutions that I hope will be helpful to my successor and the team that will continue the voyage at NATO headquarters.

– U.S. and international military officials have cut the ribbon on a state-of-the-art facility constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District that will enable the NATO special operations forces community to plan, coordinate and conduct vital missions around the globe.

The President of the Republic of Bulgaria visited the Joint Multinational Readiness Center at Hohenfels Training Area to observe Bulgarian Special Forces training during exercise Saber Junction, Oct 19.

President Ivo Josipovic of Croatia and SOCEUR commander visit Udbina Airbase during Jackal Stone 12 to view the joint special operations training demonstration.

It may be a challenge, but communicating in the same language, when it comes to military tactics, is the key to any NATO mission. SGT Joshua Blair takes us to SHAPE, Belgium, to meet the troops at the tip of the spear.

Soldiers of the Special Operations Command Europe pride themselves as quiet professionals, but sometimes certain actions deserve special recognition. SSG Joe Labutka has more on a valor ceremony for several heroic men and their amazing deeds.

JS 11 comprised 1,350 participants from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungry, Lithuania, Norway, Romania, Poland, Ukraine and the United States. The exercise is designed to improve partnership and interoperability amongst the partner nations.

Jackal Stone 2011, a multi-national special operations exercise continues in Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine. While this is an opportunity for special operations forces to work together with partner nations, it’s also an opportunity to highlight the vital support making missions in theater a success. Sgt. Jenie Fisher meets a team of maintainers whose mission is the backbone of the exercise.

Jackal Stone, a multinational SOF exercise currently being held in four different locations within Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine, requires extensive aviation support to meet the demands of the Special Operations Task Groups on the ground.

As Jackal Stone 2011, A multi-national special operations exercise, continues in Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine the U.S. troops working in Romania get a visit from their leadership. Sgt Jenie Fisher catches up with the V-I-P who says the exercise helps partner nations solidify relationships and rise to meet new challenges.

Nine nations came together to participate in the Jackal Stone 11 multi-national special operations forces exercise

Whether it’s conducting static-line or high altitude/low opening airborne operations, training is essential for the SEALs to synchronize their movements on a variety of aircraft to take them to their mission destination.

Imagine what the movie might look like though…working with a Special Forces Operational Detachment –Alpha (a bunch of Green Berets) and local Afghans running counterinsurgency missions in the heart of Taliban country. Sgt. Rodriguez-Torres, playing himself of course, is the head cook, in charge of preparing three daily feasts for at least 50 hungry warriors at a time (using anything available; turning it into a gourmet meal). On a fairly regular basis, however, he must also deal with Taliban fighters outside the perimeter, attempting to overrun the base and claim it as their own. The enemy is well equipped, with AK-47s, PKM machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and 107mm rockets.

The cold days of winter are fast approaching here in Germany.  Heck…they’re already here!  Man it's cold already!  For a lot of folks, it's good news because it also means that ski season has arrived as well.  One of the great perks about living in Southern Germany is that world class slopes are only a few hours away!  And this year, with Veterans Day falling smack in the middle of the work week, many families are taking advantage of an opportunity to get a 10-day vacation while missing only two school days.  You see, here in Stuttgart, kids were off school last Friday, Nov. 6 and they are off Nov 11-13 as well.  Count it up! 

CROATIA -- The scenario: a terrorist organization abducts two international diplomats as they're vacationing in Croatia. The terrorists then demand a 1 million Euro ransom to get the diplomats back unharmed. This may just be a training exercise, but as SSG James Allen shows us, soldiers have to be ready for any and every type of situation.