JFCNP Commander meets with Bulgarian Key Defense Leaders#News247WorldPress

Members of Allied Joint Force Command Naples meet with key leaders of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defens in Sophia, Bulgaria, Sept. 2, 2015. The meeting took place one day after six NATO Force Integration Units (NFIU) were activated, to include the NFIU in Sofia. (NATO photo by Capt. Kay M. Nissen)

SOFIA, Bulgaria – The Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, U.S. Navy Admiral Mark Ferguson, met with the Bulgarian defense leaders, Sept. 2, 2015.

The Bulgarian Permanent Secretary of Defense, Mr. Dobromir Totev, and the Bulgarian Chief of Defense, Vice Admiral Rumen Nikolov, received Admiral Ferguson to discuss NATO strategy and readiness in the region.

The meeting took place one day after six NATO Force Integration Units (NFIU) were activated, to include the NFIU in Sofia.

“My staff and I at Allied Joint Force Command in Naples officially took Operational Control of the Bulgaria NATO Force Integration Unit yesterday, and I am proud to be the new Operational Commander,” said Admiral Ferguson. “It is vital that each NFIU is empowered to assist the rapid deployment of NATO’s high-readiness task force to the region.”

Admiral Ferguson also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Sofia to pay his respects to the men and women who have served in the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

“I want to thank Bulgaria for its commitment to the Alliance,” said Admiral Ferguson. “We look forward to working with you to support our collective defense planning and coordinating training exercises.”

Source: NATO

L. J. De Rothschild

Senior Editor

NATO Section

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