On December 19, the Atlantic Council hosted a public event with The Hon. Deborah Lee James, Secretary of the US Air Force on “Capabilities, Reassurance & Presence: The US Air Force in Transatlantic Security.” The event featured a keynote address by the Secretary, and a moderated discussion led by Missy Ryan, Staff Writer and Pentagon Correspondent, The Washington Post.

A radically changed security environment has pushed US force posture in Europe back into the spotlight. The Air Force’s presence in particular is a core component of the US military posture in Europe, and fitting air power into the transatlantic community’s broader military strategy will be imperative as it faces the most dangerous threat environment in the post-Cold War era. Secretary James discussed these issues and ways to develop a 21st century security partnership for NATO in the air domain in order tackle today’s emerging security challenges.

The Hon. Deborah Lee James serves as the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force and is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including overseeing nearly 660,000 Airmen and an annual budget of more than $139 billion. James has over 30 years of senior homeland and national security experience in the federal government and the private sector. Prior to this, James held a variety of positions within the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), including President of the Technical and Engineering Sector and Executive Vice President for Communications and Government Affairs. She also served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs in the Clinton Administration, as well as on the House Armed Services Committee professional staff.

Featuring:
The Hon. Deborah Lee James
Secretary
United States Air Force 

Moderated by:
Ms. Missy Ryan 
Staff Writer and Pentagon Correspondent​
The Washington PostA radically changed security environment has pushed US force posture in Europe back into the spotlight.  The Air Force’s presence in particular is a core component of the US military posture in Europe, and fitting air power into the transatlantic community’s broader military strategy will be imperative as it faces the most challenging threat environment in the post-Cold War era. 

Secretary James will join us to discuss developing a 21st century security partnership for NATO in the air domain, tackling emerging security challenges—especially those posed by a revanchist Russia, and the role and presence of the US Air Force in Europe following NATO’s 2016 Warsaw Summit.

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Atlantic Council
1030 15th Street NW, 12th Floor (West Tower Elevators)
Washington, DC

This event is open to the press and on the record.

On Twitter? Follow @ACScowcroft and use #StrongerWithAllies

Atlantic Council
1030 15th Street NW, 12th Floor (West Tower Elevators)
Washington, DC

This event is open to the press and on the record.

VISITING THE COUNCIL: Metro and parking info