News United States Air Force
 Readout of US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s travel to GermanyPublished July 12, 2022
                        
                        
                        Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
                **BERLIN (AFNS) --**
                U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen.** **CQ Brown, Jr.** traveled to Germany July 10-12 to deepen the U.S. Air Force partnership with the German Air Force. Germany is a key **NATO** ally and essential host nation to U.S. forces.U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. prepares for an orientation flight on a German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon at Rostock-Laage Airfield, Germany, July 11, 2022. Brown and German Air Chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz
flew in formation over the Baltic Sea to strengthen ties between the two nations. (German Air Force photo by Sebastian Thomas)U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. prepares for an orientation flight on a German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon at Rostock-Laage Airfield, Germany, July 11, 2022. Brown and German Air Chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz flew in formation over the Baltic Sea to strengthen ties between the two nations. (German Air Force photo by Sebastian Thomas)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    











Brown met with German Air Force Air Chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, Brig. Gen. Holger Neumann, German Air Force deputy chief of staff for plans and policy, and other German military officials. The visit began with an arrival ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Defense in Berlin before Brown traveled to Rostock-Laage Airfield. Brown also met with U.S. Ambassador Amy Gutmann and other members of the U.S. Embassy staff in Berlin.
During the visit, Brown expressed appreciation for Germany’s long-standing support to U.S. Air Force personnel and families stationed there, as well as Germany’s support to the withdrawal of U.S. forces and equipment from Afghanistan, including evacuation operations in August 2021.
“We deeply appreciate the support Germany provided to evacuation operations in Afghanistan and to evacuees at U.S. military facilities in Germany. Germany’s willingness to serve as a temporary transit location for at-risk Afghans was a remarkable gesture of compassion and leadership,” Brown said.U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and German Air Chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, participate in a reception with military honors before performing a wreath-laying ceremony at the German Ministry of Defense in Berlin, Germany, July 11, 2022. Brown met with allies and partners during his visit to Europe to discuss modernization and other priorities. (German Air Force courtesy photo)U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and German Air Chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, participate in a reception with military honors before performing a wreath-laying ceremony at the German Ministry of Defense in Berlin, Germany, July 11, 2022. Brown met with allies and partners during his visit to Europe to discuss modernization and other priorities. (German Air Force courtesy photo)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and his wife, Sharene, embark on an aircraft following a visit with the German Air Force at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Germany, July 12, 2022. The Brown’s traveled to Germany to deepen the U.S. Air Force partnership with the German Air Force. (German Air Force courtesy photo)U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and his wife, Sharene, embark on an aircraft following a visit with the German Air Force at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Germany, July 12, 2022. The Brown’s traveled to Germany to deepen the U.S. Air Force partnership with the German Air Force. (German Air Force courtesy photo)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. prepares for an orientation flight on a German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon at Rostock-Laage Airfield, Germany, July 11, 2022. Brown and German Air Chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz flew in formation over the Baltic Sea to strengthen ties between the two nations. (German Air Force courtesy photo by Sebastian Thomas)U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. prepares for an orientation flight on a German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon at Rostock-Laage Airfield, Germany, July 11, 2022. Brown and German Air Chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz flew in formation over the Baltic Sea to strengthen ties between the two nations. (German Air Force courtesy photo by Sebastian Thomas)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

Throughout the visit, the two leaders discussed the **Luftwaffe’s** defense modernization priorities and its plan to deploy air assets to the Indo-Pacific region for the first time for Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black in September. Brown expressed support for the new, German-led Air Defender 2023 exercise, which he noted would strengthen NATO’s airpower competencies and transatlantic security.
In addition, Brown welcomed Germany’s decision to increase defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product, while also making substantial investments toward improving military readiness and modernization.
“These investments include Germany’s decision to procure the **F-35** [Lightning II], which will significantly increase NATO capabilities and deepen alliance interoperability,” he said.
Finally, the leaders exchanged views on Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, as well as the courage and bravery of Ukraine’s people and armed forces.
“The U.S. Air Force values Germany’s strong partnership and is committed to strengthening our bilateral relationship and the NATO Alliance,” Brown said. “NATO’s strength lies in its unity, which has never been greater than it is today.
“We appreciate Germany’s leadership in ensuring a strong, unified European response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, applaud the new course – or ‘turning point’ – of German security and defense policy, and look forward to learning how we can support Germany in making the most of its increased defense investment to the benefit of NATO’s collective security,” Brown said.LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



CSAF 



Air Force Chief of Staff 



CQ Brown Jr. 



German air force 



partnership 



NATO 



Allies 



host nation 



support 



evacuations 



air power 



transatlantic security 



readiness 



modernization 



One Air Force 



Joint Interoperability 



strengthening alliances 



discussion 



defense modernization 



Indo-Pacific 



Air Defender 2023 



Pitch Black 



F-35 



Ukraine