The Chief of the Defence Command visited The United States of America
The Chief of the Defence Command, Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen visited The United States of America 22-27 October 2024.
The visitation program included visits to the NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk, Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Virginia National Guard, Joint Staff Suffolk and to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. During the visitation, Lieutenant General Virtanen met with the Finnish staff serving in Norfolk and with the Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations.
Defence cooperation deepens in Norfolk
During the visit in the Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, HQ SACT, the discussions focused on developing long-term capabilities, and NATO co-funded programs. The visit was hosted by the Chief of Staff of HQ SACT, Vice Admiral Simon Asquith.
In June, the Finnish government announced Finland and Nordic countries’ transition to the Joint Force Command Norfolk, JFCNF. Discussions with JFC Norfolk leadership addressed, among other things, the development of operational conditions. The Joint Command's responsibilities will increase in the coming years. Finland supports the development of the JFC Norfolk by assigning more personnel to Norfolk. Currently, Finland is still operating under the Joint Force Command Brunssum, JFCBS. Lieutenant General Virtanen’s visitation was hosted by the Commander of Joint Force Command Norfolk, Vice Admiral Douglas G. Perry.
- It is great that the operational conditions of JFC Norfolk are developing as planned. Finland will continue to support this growth by assigning staff to the organization. JFC Norfolk's future role as a command focused on NATO's northern dimension is important, which is why we are working closely together. At the same time, we will continue our close operational and tactical cooperation with JFC Brunssum, of which command Finland is currently under, says Lieutenant General Virtanen.
The partnership established with the Virginia National Guard reflects to the training activities
The cooperation between the Finnish Defence Forces and the Virginia National Guard begun in 2016. The cooperation deepened earlier this year in May, when Minister of Defence, Antti Häkkänen and Governor of Virginia, Glen Youngkin signed a Letter of Intent of the accession of the Finnish Defence Forces to the United States National Guard State Partnership Program.
Lieutenant General Virtanen's visit to the Virginia National Guard was hosted by the Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard, Major General James W. Ring. During the meeting, discussions were held to deepen the level of cooperation under the Partnership Program. Training cooperation between the Finnish Defence Forces and the Virginia National Guard will increase in the coming years. This cooperation will further deepen the strong defence cooperation between Finland and the United States.
Visiting the Virginia National Guard Headquarters at Defence Supply Center in Richmond, Virginia. On the left, Chief of the Defence Command, Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen and on the right, Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard, Major General James W. Ring.
Lieutenant General Virtanen emphasizes the mutual benefit of the cooperation:
- Cooperation with the Virginia National Guard offers both parties many valuable opportunities, which we are currently exploring together. The Virginia National Guard possesses several capabilities of interest to us, such as fifth-generation F-22 fighters and strong cyber expertise. We are pleased with the collaboration, and activities will expand more in the coming years.
Additionally, the visitation program included a visit to the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). Captain (Navy) Christopher Hill, Commander of the "Mighty Ike", presented the aircraft carrier's capabilities and observations from a mission in the Middle East that ended in July 2024
Visiting the US Navy aircraft carrier. On the photo starting from the left, ship's Commanding Officer, Captain (Navy) Chris "Chowdah" Hill, Chief of the Defence Command, Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen, Commander of the JFC Norfolk, General Doug Perry, Chief of Staff of the Carrier Strike Group Two, Captain (Navy) S.R. Foley and Captain (Navy) Tuomo Mero.
Lieutenant General Virtanen emphasizes the performance of an important ally for Finland:
- It was impressive to get acquainted with an aircraft carrier that can operate up to 70-90 fighters. The carrier strike group enables a significant military force to be deployed anywhere in the world.
More Finns to Norfolk
During the trip, Lieutenant General Virtanen met with the Finnish staff serving in the Norfolk area, and highlighted the importance of the Finns serving overseas:
- Our soldiers in the Norfolk area are doing exceptional – even historical - work for the benefit of the homeland and the Alliance. The Finnish community in the Norfolk area grows in the future. It is highly important for the Defence Forces that the Staff serving overseas has great conditions for fulfilling their duties. It is also important to support their family members in settling smoothly into a new environment. It seems that at in the Norfolk area, this has been successful. We are working hard to ensure that those spouses whose circumstances allow it can also work in the United States. Unfortunately, this is not yet possible, but we are seeking for a solution.
The visit program also included a stop at the U.S. Armed Forces Joint Staff in Suffolk. During the visit, discussions were held on cooperation in training activities and doctrine development.
Additionally, Lieutenant General Virtanen met with the Permanent Representative Elina Kalkku of the Permanent Representation of Finland to the United Nations in New York. The meeting focused particularly on the security situation in the Middle East and the role of the UN in managing the escalation of the situation, as well as Finland's future opportunities to participate in UN crisis management operations.
Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT) is the only permanent NATO command outside Europe, located in Norfolk, Virginia. The mission of the Alliance's Transformation Command (ACT) is to develop NATO's military structure, capabilities, and doctrines. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52092.htm
The Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is, alongside the Allied Command Operations (ACO), NATO's other strategic command responsible for NATO's strategic medium- and long-term planning as well as development work. The work aimed at developing NATO's military capabilities consists of foresight activities, defining the capabilities required by threats, and enhancing NATO's training programs. https://www.act.nato.int/
Joint Force Command Norfolk (https://jfcnorfolk.nato.int) is the first of NATO’s operational headquarters to focus on the Atlantic region, and the only one of NATO’s three operational level headquarters based in the United States. JFC Norfolk plans, implements and supports the Alliance’s military operations and increases security in the Northern and Arctic region. Additionally, JFC Norfolk protects strategic maritime connections in all operational environments, and secures maritime connections between Europe and North America. Commander of Joint Force Command Norfolk, Vice Admiral Doug Perry visited Finland during 15 – 17 May 2024. Read more from the press release: https://puolustusvoimat.fi/-/norfolkin-yhteisoperaatiojohtoportaan-komentaja-vieraili-suomessa?languageId=en_US
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