Dear Members, Friends and Supporters of AmerikaHaus NRW,
 
We cordially invite you to a very timely talk and discussion on:

»The Russian War in Ukraine and Its Military Consequences for Germany« 

 

Thursday, April 27, 2023

6:30-8:00 pm (doors open at 6:00 pm)
Koelnmesse GmbH, Messehochhaus, Deutz-Mülheimer Str. 111, 51063 Cologne
 

with

Lieutenant General Martin Schelleis

Chief of the Joint Support and Enabling Service of the German Bundeswehr

and

Major General James M. Smith

Commanding General of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command of the US Army 

moderated by 

Marcus Pindur

Correspondant for Security policy at Deutschlandfunk

 

Russia's war against Ukraine has highlighted the importance of close transatlantic cooperation and alignment. Against the backdrop of a dramatically changed European security landscape, the US and Germany have closely coordinated their responses, not least with respect to military aid. Which role does the German Bundeswehr play in supporting Ukraine? How are the US Forces in Germany and Europe contributing to the defense against Russia? And how are the two countries working together?

We are very much looking forward to shedding light on these issues with two distinguished speakers from Germany and the US, Lieutenant General Martin Schelleis and Major General James M. Smith.

Lieutenant General Martin Schelleis is the Chief of the Joint Support and Enabling Service, which provides the basis for all operations conducted by the Bundeswehr. Prior to assuming this role in 2015, he served as Commander of the Air Force Forces Command in Cologne. He has also held critical positions in NATO and at the Ministry of Defense, including Director of the Task Force Bundeswehr Reorientation and Director of the Organization and Audit Staff. He served two tours in Afghanistan with the International Security Assistance Force in 2003 and 2007/08. Lt. Gen. Schelleis started his military career in 1978 and completed his pilot training in 1986, following stints at Sheppard Air Force Base in the US and Cottesmore in Great Britain. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of the Armed Forces in Munich. 

Major General James M. Smith assumed command of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command in 2021. He is a native of Hampton, Virginia, and commissioned into the United States Army in 1992. Prior to his current position, he served as the 31st Chief of Transportation and Commandant at the United States Army Transportation School. Maj. Gen. Smith has completed several deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, Iraq. He has earned multiple awards and decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit (2OLC). Maj. Gen. Smith holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Christopher Newport University and has also earned several Master’s degrees, amongst them a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College. 

We hope to welcome you to this event and look foward to an engaging evening with you! The discussion will be followed by a reception.

Please register with your full name at: info@amerikahaus-nrw.de

We kindly ask for your understanding that participation in the event is only possible if you have received a confirmation e-mail from us.
Parking is available in the visitors' parking garage behind the Messehochhaus.