Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks will depart for an overseas trip on Sunday, May 22, to meet with senior military and government leaders in Norway and the United Kingdom, as well as U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command leaders in Germany.
In Norway, Deputy Secretary Hicks will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson, Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram, and tour USS Porter, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. During her meetings with Norwegian leaders, Deputy Secretary Hicks will discuss Norway’s efforts to enhance stability in the Middle East, challenges on the African continent, and Russia’s threatening and destabilizing behavior in the High North, Baltic Sea, and along NATO’s eastern flank.
In Germany, the Deputy Secretary will meet with U.S. European Command Commander Air Force General Tod Wolters to discuss Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine. She will also meet with U.S. Africa Command Commander Army General Stephen Townsend to discuss transnational terror threats emanating from the African continent; and Chinese and Russian malign influence in the region.
In the United Kingdom, Deputy Secretary Hicks will meet with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Matthew Palmer, and participate in the U.S.-UK Defense Dialogue with UK Permanent Under Secretary for the Ministry of Defence Mr. David Williams. She will also receive briefings on UK science, technology, and cyber security programs, and visit Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Scotland.
Throughout her travel, Deputy Secretary Hicks will work to deepen relationships and reinforce the importance of Allies and partners to counter strategic competitors like Russia and China, while also countering the threats of transnational terrorism emanating from the African continent.
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