During the visit, Kendall engaged with senior leaders in Belgium, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia, and Poland, reaffirming the critical alliances that ensure regional security.
Kendall's first stop in Belgium involved discussions on Department of the Air Force (DAF) priorities for NATO, focusing on space as an operational domain, integrated air and missile defense, and the future of interoperable command and control. These discussions included meetings with the Belgian Chief of Defense, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Operations, U.S. Military Representatives to NATO, and the Secretary of Defense Representative in NATO.
This visit laid the groundwork for the remainder of the trip. In Sweden, which joined NATO in March 2024, Kendall met with Lt. Gen. Michael Claesson, incoming Swedish Chief of Defense, and Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force.
"Sweden is a very sophisticated country with a lot of technical capability [and a] very professional military," Kendall noted. "It was great to meet with Swedish Defense leaders and further strengthen our ties with our newest NATO Ally. This relationship allows us to become more united, capable and ready to prevail over any military challenge that we may face in this era of Great Power Competition."
In Lithuania, Kendall met with Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasciunas, Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Gen. Raimundas Vaiksnoras, and Commander of the Air Force Col. Antanas Matutis.
"The NATO alliance is the rock-solid cornerstone to security, not only in Lithuania, but also the Baltics and across all of NATO," Kendall emphasized. "It is crucial to peace and stability that we continue to work together to deter our adversaries in the region."
Kendall then traveled to Latvia, where he visited Lielvarde Air Base and interacted with U.S. and Latvian military personnel alongside Ministry of Defense State Secretary Aivars Purins and Commander of the Latvian Air Force Col. Viesturs Masulis.
"Alongside our Latvian Allies, we consistently and convincingly demonstrate NATO's value as an enduring deterrent to potential aggressors in the Baltics. Visiting Lielvarde Air Base and seeing our partners working together there was a terrific experience," Kendall stated.
In Finland, which became a NATO member in April 2023, Kendall met with Finland Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen and Finnish Air Force Chief of Staff Maj. Gen Juha-Pekka Keranen at Tikkakoski Air Force Headquarters.
"As we continue to build this alliance, it will allow our forces to build capabilities necessary to defense against our adversaries," said Kendall.
Kendall's visit to Estonia included discussions on defense cooperation and a tour of Amari Air Base.
"The Baltic Air Policing mission is an essential activity to maintain peace and security not only for Estonia, but throughout NATO," said Kendall. "I appreciate the continued commitment of Estonia's leadership to host this mission, and we will continue to work together to deter our adversaries."
The trip concluded with a visit to Lask Air Base in Poland, where Kendall gained insight into the mission and capabilities of the 52nd Operations Group, Detachment 1, and engaged with leadership from both the U.S. and Polish air forces.
Kendall also conducted an all-call to commend Det. 1 Airmen for their role in supporting the first operational deployment of the 495th Fighter Squadron in U.S. European Command's Quick Reaction Alert mission.
"My mantra as Secretary of the Air Force has been one team, one fight," Kendall remarked. "You've come together as a team from different units, working together, building camaraderie, great trust and capability. You have demonstrated the importance of the alliance that we have with our Polish allied partners. It is meaningful work, and I am delighted to be able to say thank you for doing it so well."
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