BRUSSELS (AFNS) — Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman and Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships Air Marshal Paul Godfrey traveled to Europe Oct. 27 – Nov. 1 for meetings with defense and military space leaders from Norway, Sweden and NATO to reaffirm and strengthen space security cooperation.
In Norway, Saltzman and Godfrey took part in meetings with Acting State Secretary Hans Christian Hveem Kjølseth, Director General of Security Policy and Operations Henning Vaglum, and Royal Norwegian Navy Vice Adm. Nils Andreas Stensønes, director of the Norwegian Intelligence Service, to discuss opportunities to deepen space cooperation both bilaterally and through the NATO alliance. The leaders thanked Norway for hosting and operating the GLOBUS II radar system in Vardø since 2001 and commended Norway for its contributions to the Combined Space Operations Initiative Interoperability Working Group, which it currently co-chairs with the United States.
In Sweden, Saltzman and Godfrey met with State Secretary for Defence Peter Sandwall and Sweden’s Chief of Defence, Army Gen. Michael Claesson, for discussions centered on opportunities to advance shared space security interests, including through the U.S.-Sweden bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in December. Saltzman and Godfrey also welcomed the recent publication of Sweden’s first defense and security space strategy, which aims to better posture Sweden to meet challenges in the domain. They additionally engaged a delegation led by Swedish Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman and including Swedish air Force Col. Ella Carlsson, chief of space capabilities and development, at Esrange Space Center in Sweden’s High North on the nation’s vision for military space.
Saltzman began his time in Belgium by meeting with Gen. Christopher Cavoli, supreme allied commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command, at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe near Mons before concluding the trip with a visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels. At NATO headquarters, Saltzman and Godfrey met with Royal Netherlands Navy Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of the NATO Military Committee, to discuss the alliance’s approach to space, the importance of interoperability, and opportunities to deepen collaboration. Saltzman also addressed members of the NATO Military Committee directly to emphasize the important role integration and coordination will play as the space domain grows more vital to alliance success.
source: www.spaceforce.mil