Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Adm. Mark Ferguson met with senior Swedish defense officials in Stockholm in a sign of mutual support, March 10.

Ferguson, who also is the commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, was joined by the deputy commander of U.S. 6th Fleet and Director of Operations for U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Rear Adm. Daryl L. Caudle.

The two met with Peter Hultqvist, minister of defense; Gen. Micael Byden, supreme commander of the Swedish armed forces; Rear Adm. Jan Thornqvist, chief of staff of the Royal Swedish Navy; and Rear Adm. Jonas Haggren, director of plans for the Swedish armed forces.

Ferguson invited the Royal Swedish Navy to participate in a multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise next month in the Baltic Sea. They also discussed information sharing in the maritime domain and increasing the frequency and scope of joint maritime exercises in the Baltic Sea. Ferguson advised Swedish officials the maritime exercise next month will involve a U.S. guided-missile destroyer and a P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft, and is planned to be an annual event.

Quote:
"Today's meetings not only strengthened our ties with a key partner, they demonstrated our commitment to information sharing and maritime domain awareness in the Baltic Sea."
- Adm. Mark Ferguson, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples

Quick facts:
* The visit included meetings with minister Hultqvist and Gen. Byden, and a round-table discussion with Admirals Thornqvist and Haggren.

* The U.S. and Sweden frequently cooperate in naval exercises and operations, and are participants in BALTOPS, an annual, multinational naval exercise scheduled to be held for the 44th time this year.

* Sweden, along with Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland, is a member of Nordic Defense Cooperation, which aims for a mutually strengthened defense.

* U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, headquartered in Naples, Italy, oversees joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests, and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.