The Department of Defense announced today the consolidation of some U.S. infrastructure in Europe, including the return of 15 sites to their host nations. These actions, taken as part of the European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) process, will save the U.S. government approximately $500 million annually. The DoD also announced the first F-35 basing in Europe at RAF Lakenheath, UK, which will bring new opportunities for collaboration between the U.S. and UK air forces.

Twenty-nine nations and three international organizations participated in the Combined Endeavor Main Planning Conference. The conference deliverables assisted in designing a mission network that utilized an interoperable “bring your own devices model” and ensured the international coalition audience was able to participate. Ultimately, the mission network contributed toward constructing an exercise operational scenario across land, air and cyberspace domains.

Combined Endeavor 13 kicks off in Grafenwoehr, Germany.

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy will participate in Exercise Reliant Mermaid in the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 12-15. Reliant Mermaid is a maritime search and rescue exercise designed to promote maritime safety and security in the region.

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!

"We consider them one of our top allies, and it's an ally that we want to improve our relationship with and partnership with," Spears said. "So, the aviation detachment is a mechanism with which we can strengthen that partnership."

“Thank you for what you’re doing,” said Gen. Breedlove. “It’s working in Afghanistan and in other places. You are a part of that. The sacrifice of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines is working and you should take pride in that.”

The U.S. 6th Fleet flag ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) completed a two-month maintenance period at San Giorgio del Porto shipyard

When a jet takes off from Aviano loaded with munitions in support of an operation, the Airmen from the 31st Munitions Squadron know they've done their job.

The Italian, American and NATO flags were hoisted for the first time ever at Caserma Del Din March 1 in Vicenza, Italy.

The Vicenza Military Community expanded its emergency response capability Feb. 28 as 14 recently hired firefighters graduated from a month-long certification course.

The first building of the new Del Din installation is now 100 percent complete, and was officially delivered to the Vicenza garrison, Feb. 22.

In an emergency situation, knowing where you are going can mean the difference between life and death.

Approximately 60 Italian parachutists of the 186th Regiment, Folgore Brigade, arrived on Caserma Ederle Jan. 14 for a regimental level Command Post Exercise, or CPX.

Enterprise has a long relationship with the people of Naples. The carrier made its first ever port visit to the city during its maiden deployment in 1962.

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Forward Engineering Support Team-Advance (FEST-A) conducted training and remote engineering missions in partnership with Italian Army Reconnaissance Engineers here September 9-21, 2012.

Noncommissioned officers from the rear detachment of U.S. Army Europe's 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team shared deployment experiences and lessons learned with Italian military law enforcement officers during cultural awareness and information operations training here, Sept. 11.

The crew of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and embarked U.S. 6th fleet staff gathered for a remembrance ceremony to honor those whose lives were lost during the terrorist attacks, Sept. 11.

The U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) held a memorial ceremony in honor of U.S. Navy Chaplain Lt. Vincent Capodanno at Piazza di Capodanno, Sept. 4.

The U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), welcomed more than 800 visitors while the ship was in their homeport of Gaeta, Italy, July 14.

The United States enjoys warm and friendly relations with Italy. Italy is a leading partner in counterterrorism efforts. The two are NATO allies and cooperate in the United Nations, in various regional organizations, and bilaterally for peace, prosperity, and security as well as combating drug trafficking, trafficking in women and children, and terrorism.