U.S. European Command

BG MCKINNEY AND BAKER WRAP UP BALKANS VISIT! 🤝🤝🤝 U.S. European Command J5 Deputy Director, BG Chris McKinney, alongside David Baker, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO policy, traveled to meet with defense leadership and officials in Serbia, Bosnia, and Kosovo to discuss defense cooperation, foreign military sales, defense industrial base, and the complex security environment, July 27-Aug 3. Discussions like these offer a multitude of opportunities for strengthening partnerships in support of the evolving Allied European defense picture.

BG MCKINNEY VISITS CROATIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE - 🤝 🤝 🤝U.S. European Command J5 Deputy Director, Brig. Gen. Chris McKinney, traveled to Croatia July 23-25 to engage with Croatian Ministry of Defense and armed forces leadership. He commended his counterparts for their ongoing military modernization, regional leadership, and consistent performance as a strong and reliable Ally. Both sides agreed to pursue increased bilateral training in the region to improve operational readiness, modernization, and interoperability.  #CollectiveDefense #StrongerTogether #ProvenPartners

BG MCKINNEY VISITS SLOVENIA MINISTRY OF DEFENSE- U.S. European Command J5 Deputy Director, Brig. Gen. Chris McKinney, traveled to Slovenia July 21-23 to engage with Slovenian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Leadership on meeting NATO Capability Targets, underscoring the importance of the region's contributions to the Alliance. BG McKinney toured Cerklje Airbase, commending Slovenia's impressive upgrades and progress towards a full-capacity NATO Air Base. #CollectiveDefense #StrongerTogether #ProvenPartners

Baltic Sea C5I Synchronization Board Convenes to Enhance Defense Cooperation! 🤝🤝🤝 - The Baltic Sea Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Cyberspace, and Intelligence Synchronization Board convened a meeting from July 14-18, 2025, in Vilnius, Lithuania, focusing on strengthening interoperability among the defense forces of the United States, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Representatives from these nations gathered to advance joint operational goals and enhance collaborative defense capabilities! Throughout the week, attendees engaged in discussions on a range of topics critical to defense cooperation. National representatives provided updates on their respective efforts to modernize and enhance their defense systems, highlighting both successes and ongoing challenges. These updates fostered a deeper understanding of each nation’s capabilities and priorities, laying the groundwork for more effective collaboration. READ MORE HERE: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/g3-gCvtd

AMBASSADOR BYRNES IS OFFICIALLY RETIRED! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Did you know U.S. European Command has several U.S. State Department positions embedded across the command? The highest ranking civilian is the Civilian Deputy and Foreign Policy Advisor to U.S. European Command, advising and consulting on matters of U.S. government foreign policy perspectives and implications across the European theater. They also serve as the primary lead for all interagency activities between the Department of Defense and other departments within the U.S. and our allies and partners. Until her retirement today, Ambassador Kate Marie Byrnes has served in this role since November 2022. She served the U.S. government for 33 years, including 30 years as a veteran of the U.S. diplomatic corps and member of the Senior Foreign Service. We would like to thank Ambassador Byrnes for her dedicated service, and the grace and humility she brought to our team. Fair winds and following seas to Ambassador Byrnes and her husband, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Gage.

EUCOM/AFRICOM HOST JOINT INDUSTRY FORUM! U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command hosted a Joint Industry Forum at Patch Barracks, July 9-10. The event featured a series of briefings and a vendor showcase that brought together mission partners and industry to advance operational readiness. Briefing sessions focused on EUCOM and AFRICOM’s critical capability needs, outlining technology requirements to close operational gaps. Great turn out and opportunities for all! READ MORE HERE:👉https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/efUv9QpS

GEN. ANDRYSIAK RETIRES AFTER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE- Maj. Gen. Peter Andrysiak retired during an official ceremony at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, July 3. Andrysiak leaves the U.S. Army after a distinguished career of service, concluding his tenure as USEUCOM's Chief of Staff. His leadership, dedication, and strategic vision have been invaluable to our mission! We extend our deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement. #USArmy #USEUCOM #BeAllYouCanBe

ADM. MUNSCH VISITS USS HUDNER- ⚓🛳️ Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, thanked the crew of USS Thomas Hudner for their outstanding performance executing Department of Defense and U.S. Navy tasking. Adm. Munsch also engaged with Airmen of the Detachment 1, 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, and the 50th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Soldiers attached to the U.S. Army 5th Battalion, and 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, highlighting the dedication and excellence of our joint forces. #StrongerTogether #PeaceThroughStrength #FightToWin #HomelandDefenseForward

WELCOME TO EUCOM, GENERAL GRYNKEWICH! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ It's official - we have a new commander of EUCOM! U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command from U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli during a formal Change of Command ceremony at Patch Barracks, July 1. Grynkewich previously served as the Director of Operations, J-3, Joint Staff. He assisted the Chairman in carrying out responsibilities as the principal military advisor to the President and Secretary of Defense. He has served as an instructor pilot, weapons officer and operational test pilot in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor. Grynkewich has commanded at the squadron, wing, and Air Expeditionary Task Force levels. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, presided over the ceremony. He spoke to the importance of integrated operations, and both Cavoli’s and Grynkewich’s leadership, saying, “The world can shift in a matter of hours, and that’s why we prepare, why we shift, and why we train and operate as an integrated force – to be ready. General Grynkewich is prepared for this job. He is the right leader who is humble, credible and approachable to follow the great leader before him.” READ MORE here: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/e2-mvE4i...

Bittersweet and exciting times at U.S. European Command (USEUCOM). We bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Robert V. Abernethy, whose unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and tireless commitment have left a lasting impact on the USEUCOM team and mission. His presence will be deeply missed, and his legacy will endure. At the same time, we’re honored to welcome Command Sgt. Maj. T.J. Holland from U.S. Army Forces Command (USFORSCOM) as he assumes responsibility at USEUCOM. With over 30 years of military service and experience, CSM Holland brings a wealth of knowledge and steady leadership. We look forward to the next chapter under his guidance. Thank you both for your service, your example, and your continued commitment to the mission and our people. #ArmyLeadership #USEUCOM #ChangeOfResponsibility #SoldierStrong #MissionFocused #LeadershipTransition #HomelandDefenseForward