JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland – This week, ambassadors and senior military leaders from numerous United States Combatant Commands, Services, the Joint Staff and NATO’s Allied Commands took part in the Allied Warfighter Talks 2024.
High-level military leaders from NATO and the U.S. convened to strengthen transatlantic security. The event, co-hosted by General Philippe Lavigne, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, and Admiral Christopher Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the U.S., focused on fostering cooperation, sharing strategic concepts, and aligning efforts in warfare development. This emphasis on collaboration underscores the critical role of the U.S.-NATO relationship as a cornerstone of regional security.
In recognition of the complex and multifaceted security environment, the theme for this year’s Allied Warfighter Talks, “Seizing advantage today and tomorrow: operationalizing a global shape and contest strategy,” challenged NATO and U.S. commanders to confront critical issues to bolster deterrence and collective defence. Panel discussions explored a range of topics, including policy and strategy constraints, operational challenges in a multi-domain environment, and warfare development needs. Through these discussions, commanders aimed to identify and address limitations, improve coordination between military and non-military instruments of power, and develop a more proactive approach to shaping the international environment and contesting potential threats. Ultimately, the Allied Warfighter Talks sought to translate the “shape and contest strategy” into concrete actions to ensure NATO and U.S. dominance in the face of contemporary challenges.
Allied Command Transformation – NATO’s Strategic Warfare Development Command, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, plays a central role in shaping the future of NATO’s military capabilities. Its mission is to contribute to preserving peace, security, and the territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading the warfare development of military structures, forces, capabilities, and doctrines. This strategic command ensures that NATO is well-prepared to address evolving security challenges in the ever-changing global landscape.
These annual Allied Warfighter Talks serve as a forum for senior military leaders to engage in targeted discussions and share their unique insights. These talks ensure common understanding and vision within NATO and the U.S.; they also feed the works of Allied Command Transformation, shared with the nations, strengthening the Alliance as a whole.
The Allied Warfighter Talks 2024 will inform the future of NATO’s military capabilities. Allied Command Transformation will continue to develop and incorporate requirements and interoperability needs into NATO’s joint warfare development efforts. The ongoing collaboration between military leaders from both sides of the Atlantic ensures that the NATO Alliance remains well-prepared to address the challenges of the 21st century and preserve peace, security, and territorial integrity of its member states.
