Lieutenant General Frederick Benjamin (Ben) Hodges, Commanding General U.S Army Europe visit to the Baltic Defence College

On 19 MAY 2016 the Commanding General U.S Army Europe, Lieutenant General Frederick Benjamin (Ben) Hodges visited the Baltic Defence College.

The General was met at the airfield by the U.S Senior National Representative Colonel Mark Hollis and welcomed at the Baltic Defence College by Commandant Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras. “I am so proud of the Men and Women of the Baltic Defence College who have committed themselves to the security of their Nation and their people” wrote the Commanding General U.S Army Europe in his entry in the Baltic Defence College guest book.

Later, students of Higher Command Studies Course, Joint Command and General Staff Course and BALTDEFCOL Faculty had the honour to participate at his lecture where the General emphasised the importance of the U.S. Army working with its allies and partners in Europe to achieve collective security. He also stressed the need to move from “assurance” to “deterrence” to counter changing threats in an uncertain world. The lecture was followed by a stimulating question and answer session with the assembled students and faculty. In concluding remarks the General stated that he had chosen to visit the Baltic Defence College because during a visit two years previously he had been very impressed with the men and women he met at the time. He expressed his hope to visit the college again in the future.