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News story MILITARY LEADERS MEET IN LONDON FOR FIRST TIME SINCE WW2 The UK has hosted the entire Combined Chiefs of Staff, Britain and the USA's most senior military figures. This was
published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) from the US and the UK met today, 10 June, to discuss the long-term
strategic challenges that their respective armed forces can expect to face together in the future. General Martin E Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the heads of the US
Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, met with General Sir Nicholas Houghton, UK Chief of the Defence Staff, and UK service chiefs. The senior military leaders were greeted by a guard of
honour provided by Number 7 Company of the Coldstream Guards and the Band of the Welsh Guards, before attending the annual UK-US CCS conference at defence headquarters in Whitehall. Topics
discussed included how to continue the successful collaboration between their respective armed forces once the drawdown from Afghanistan has been completed and the importance of the
transatlantic security alliance in advance of September’s NATO Summit. The bilateral military relationship between the UK and US is based on a long, shared history which has seen both forces
routinely involved in combat operations together, more prominently over the last decade. This meeting reinforces the close alliance between the two countries’ armed forces. General Dempsey
said: > We share a remarkably close relationship; not just as nations but as > militaries. It’s one founded on our history, our values and > genuine friendships. Whether we’re
deployed in combat operations > or in London addressing common priorities, our combined strength and > experience make us better. General Houghton added: > This important meeting of
the Combined UK and US Chiefs of Staff > comes at a significant time for both our militaries as we transition > beyond combat operations in Afghanistan and reconfigure for emerging
> challenges. Discussions today have reflected the enduring and > historic links between our two armed forces and underlined the > closeness and strength of our military
relationship. The Combined Chiefs of Staff met regularly during the Second World War between 1942 and the end of the war, but also convened in 1948 in response to the Berlin blockade. SHARE
THIS PAGE The following links open in a new tab * Share on Facebook (opens in new tab) * Share on Twitter (opens in new tab) UPDATES TO THIS PAGE Published 10 June 2014