Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work discussed a range of topics with his Norwegian counterpart during a meeting at the Pentagon yesterday, Defense Department officials said.
In a statement summarizing the meeting, officials said Work thanked State Secretary for Defense Oystein Bo for Norway's continued commitment to the training of Iraqi security forces as part of the coalition working to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
The two leaders also discussed how each country will support NATO allies and partners in a changing European and global defense environment, the statement said.
In addition, officials said, the two leaders discussed Russia, Ukraine and the security cooperation relationship between the United States and Norway.
P-3C Orion, F-35 Lightning II
Work thanked Bo for the U.S. partnership with Norway on P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, and Bo noted Norway's purchase of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter could bring continued air forces cooperation in the coming years, the statement said. Both leaders agreed to find ways to maintain and expand on the history of joint and complementary security capabilities in the future, officials added.
Bo also thanked Work for hosting the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen during last year's Rim of the Pacific exercise.
“The two leaders discussed how future cooperation in multinational exercises around the world will continue to build on the interoperability and mutual understanding that has marked the healthy relationship between the United States and Norway for decades,” the Pentagon statement said.Â