The helm of US European Command changed hands Monday from Marine Corps Gen. James Jones to Army Gen. John Craddock in a ceremony at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. On Thursday, there’ll be a repeat performance when Craddock assumes the mantle of Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in a ceremony in Mons, Belgium. Craddock, who previously served as head of US Southern Command, has spent 13 years in European assignments during his career.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.