Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel Leaf, deputy commander of US Pacific Command, recently visited Vietnam, talking with civilian and military officials about expanding military cooperative efforts. Leaf said later, “I am impressed by the professionalism and dedication of my Vietnamese counterparts and their sense of mission for their country, but also for their overall role in the future of the Pacific region.” USMC Maj. David Griesmer reports that one area of interest to the Vietnamese officials was whether they could send student to attend US military academies and to undertake military medical and information technology training. They also expressed interest in developing search and rescue exercises with the US and in training to improve their weather forecasting capability. Leaf called the discussions “constructive work that will allow us to make progress.”
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
