Foreign military attachés visit Redstone Arsenal

By U.S. ArmyNovember 12, 2014

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Foreign military officers from 29 different countries visited Redstone Arsenal as part of an orientation tour of the Southeastern United States.

The officers, all accredited to the U.S. Army as military attachés, had the opportunity to visit Army, Army Reserve and National Guard organizations during the eight-day tour that began in New Orleans. Some of the countries represented include Australia, Estonia, Finland, India, Malaysia and Zambia.

"It's an honor and privilege to welcome this diverse group of representatives from our partner nations," said Gen. Dennis L. Via, commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. "This is a tremendous opportunity for us to reinforce important relationships while demonstrating Redstone Arsenal's global reach."

After visiting New Orleans the attachés toured Fort Rucker before heading to Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal. The Huntsville portion of the tour included an overview of several Redstone Arsenal-based organizations including the U.S. Army Materiel Command, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Strategic Command and NASA.

Spouses of the attachés who joined the tour had the opportunity to visit several sites around town including the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Botanical Garden and Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment.

Maj. Gen. William Duffy, assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Army G-2, said the tour was part of the Army's "prevent, shape, win" strategy. "It not only shows the capabilities of the U.S. Army, but also provides team-building so we get to know each other."

Austrian Brigadier General Harald Goellinger said the trip was a great opportunity. "Being exposed to all the components of the U.S. army and to see how things affect the troops, is an awesome experience."