16-18 Mar. 2006

NATO's top military official visits Czech Republic General Ray Henault, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (centre), while on his official visit to the Czech Republic, 16-18 March 2006, was given a tour of the 21st Tactical Air Force Base in Caslav by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, Lieutenant-General Pavel Stefka (right) and Colonel Jiri Verner, Base Commander (left). During the visit General Henault praised the Czech Military for the progress being made in defence reform and modernization. "For a relatively new member of the Alliance , the Czech Republic has achieved a great deal in just seven short years and as a result is making a significant contribution to NATO operations", said General Henault. One of the primary missions of the Caslav Air Base is to support NATO's Integrated Extended Air Defence System (NATIEADS), using JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft (shown in second photo).

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