Readout of CSO Saltzman, Air Marshal Godfrey’s travel to Europe

Published Nov. 4, 2024
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

BRUSSELS (AFNS) -- Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman and Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships Air Marshal Paul Godfrey traveled to Europe Oct. 27 – Nov. 1 for meetings with defense and military space leaders from Norway, Sweden and NATO to reaffirm and strengthen space security cooperation.

In Norway, Saltzman and Godfrey took part in meetings with Acting State Secretary Hans Christian Hveem Kjølseth, Director General of Security Policy and Operations Henning Vaglum, and Royal Norwegian Navy Vice Adm. Nils Andreas Stensønes, director of the Norwegian Intelligence Service, to discuss opportunities to deepen space cooperation both bilaterally and through the NATO alliance. The leaders thanked Norway for hosting and operating the GLOBUS II radar system in Vardø since 2001 and commended Norway for its contributions to the Combined Space Operations Initiative Interoperability Working Group, which it currently co-chairs with the United States.

U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman stands with U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee, during a visit to the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 31, 2024. Saltzman and Chatfield discussed NATO’s approach to space, the importance of interoperability, and opportunities to deepen collaboration across the alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Howard) — U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman stands with U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the U.S. military representative to the NATO Military Committee, during a visit to the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 31, 2024. Saltzman and Chatfield discussed NATO’s approach to space, the importance of interoperability, and opportunities to deepen collaboration across the alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Howard)

U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman walks with Swedish air force commander, Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman and Col. Ella Carlsson, Swedish air force chief of space capabilities and development, at Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden, Oct. 29, 2024. Saltzman’s visit with Swedish partners centered around the nation’s vision for military capabilities in space and continued partnership with the U.S. (Courtesy photo by Swedish Armed Forces) — U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman walks with Swedish Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman and Swedish Air Force Chief of Space Capabilities and Development Col. Ella Carlsson, at Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden, Oct. 29, 2024. Saltzman’s visit with Swedish partners centered around the nation’s vision for military capabilities in space and continued partnership with the U.S. (Courtesy photo by Swedish Armed Forces)

U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman meets with Sweden’s State Secretary for Defence, Peter Sandwall during a visit to the Swedish Ministry of Defence in Stockholm, Sweden, Oct. 30, 2024. Saltzman’s engagements in Sweden focused on cooperation, and advancing shared interests in the space domain. (Courtesy photo by Swedish Ministry of Defence) — U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman meets with Sweden’s State Secretary for Defence Peter Sandwall during a visit to the Swedish Ministry of Defence in Stockholm, Sweden, Oct. 30, 2024. Saltzman’s engagements in Sweden focused on cooperation, and advancing shared interests in the space domain. (Courtesy photo by Swedish Ministry of Defence)

In Sweden, Saltzman and Godfrey met with State Secretary for Defence Peter Sandwall and Sweden’s Chief of Defence, Army Gen. Michael Claesson, for discussions centered on opportunities to advance shared space security interests, including through the U.S.-Sweden bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in December. Saltzman and Godfrey also welcomed the recent publication of Sweden’s first defense and security space strategy, which aims to better posture Sweden to meet challenges in the domain. They additionally engaged a delegation led by Swedish Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman and including Swedish air Force Col. Ella Carlsson, chief of space capabilities and development, at Esrange Space Center in Sweden’s High North on the nation’s vision for military space.

U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman speaks with Esrange Space Center personnel during a visit to Kiruna, Sweden, Oct. 29, 2024. Saltzman was joined by Swedish air force commander, Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, and the U.S. ambassador to Sweden, Erik D. Ramanathan, to discuss Sweden’s vision for military capabilities in space. (Courtesy photo by Swedish Armed Forces) — U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman speaks with Esrange Space Center personnel during a visit to Kiruna, Sweden, Oct. 29, 2024. Saltzman was joined by Swedish Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, and the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Erik D. Ramanathan, to discuss Sweden’s vision for military capabilities in space. (Courtesy photo by Swedish Armed Forces)

Saltzman began his time in Belgium by meeting with Gen. Christopher Cavoli, supreme allied commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command, at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe near Mons before concluding the trip with a visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels. At NATO headquarters, Saltzman and Godfrey met with Royal Netherlands Navy Adm. Rob Bauer, chair of the NATO Military Committee, to discuss the alliance’s approach to space, the importance of interoperability, and opportunities to deepen collaboration. Saltzman also addressed members of the NATO Military Committee directly to emphasize the important role integration and coordination will play as the space domain grows more vital to alliance success.