Based on recent public opinion polls, most Americans and Germans continue to see each other as partners when it comes to protecting their respective national security interests. The general public in both countries appear to be willing to support using military action to protect themselves and their allies – as we are seeing play out in the war in Ukraine. But, what does this look like in practice – especially in times of crisis?

One tangible form of cooperation is Air Defender 2023 – which will take place from June 12 to 23 and is being billed as the biggest air deployment exercise in NATO’s history. Planned well before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the exercise is hosted by Germany with strong support from the United States. Some 250 aircraft from 25 nations will respond to a simulated attack on a NATO member. The United States alone is sending 100 aircraft and some 2000 U.S. National Guard personnel.

1014 and the American Council on Germany (ACG) hosted a discussion and lunch with Colonel Jörg Dronia, Commander of the German Armed Forces Command in Reston, Virginia, about military cooperation in times of crisis.

Event Photos: Jamie Isaacs

Colonel Jörg Dronia assumed command of the German Armed Forces Command, United States and Canada on 18 November 2021. From November 2016 until recently, Colonel (GS) Jörg Dronia served as Branch Chief of Pol II 3 (Political Directorate) at the Federal Ministry of Defense in Berlin, where he was responsible for capacity building in support of security and development in the Near/Middle East and Sahel-Region in Africa. Between 2013 and 2016, Colonel (GS) Dronia served at the Ministry of Defense as Branch Chief of Plg I 4 (Strategic Management of Planning), where he oversaw capability development for air, space and cyberspace for the German Armed Forces. As Branch Chief of Pol II 5 (Political Directorate), he was in charge of space and cyber policy and hybrid conflicts for the German Armed Forces. His previous roles include Joint Branch Head at the NATO Standardization Agency in Brussels, Deputy Senior Military Representative and Chief of Staff at NHQ Skopje in North Macedonia, and two assignments at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg, where he served as Professor and Tutor focusing on aerospace warfare. After joining the German Air Force in 1979, Colonel (GS) Dronia was trained and deployed as an Air Surveillance and Control Officer at the tactical, operational and strategic level between 1981 and 2005. Colonel (GS) Dronia graduated from the German General Staff Officers Course in 1994 and he is a 2005 alumni of the NATO Defense College in Rome

VENUE ACCESSIBILITY

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