WASHINGTON, D.C. –
Vice Chairman Spokesperson Major Joshua J. Pena provided the following readout:
General Christopher J. Mahoney, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with Lieutenant General (Dr.) Nicole Schilling, Vice Chief of Defense of the German Ministry of Defense, at the Pentagon, 4 June 2026. The leaders discussed the enduring strength of the U.S.-Germany bilateral alliance, which serves as a cornerstone of NATO cohesiveness and transatlantic security.
Lieutenant General Schilling highlighted Germany's ongoing strategic transformation to address modern European security challenges. General Mahoney noted the importance of Germany continuing to bolster its defense capabilities, assume greater leadership within NATO, and fulfill its defense commitments to protect sovereignty and self-determination. Both leaders underscored opportunities to expand defense cooperation, deepen institutional ties, and ensure force interoperability to protect shared democratic values and global stability.