January 2, 2025 - JFC Norfolk, Norfolk, VA
At a ceremony held at JFC Norfolk
on January 2, 2025, Brigadier General Mikael Salo assumed the role of JFC
Norfolk´s Assistant Chief of Staff J7, the directorate that focuses on planning
and training. The ceremony also highlighted Salo´s promotion to the rank of
Brig Gen, which took place January 1, 2025.
Brig Gen Salo is Finland’s
highest-ranking officer in the US and brings a vast amount of experience to
NATO. Previously, Salo served as the Commandant of the Reserve Officer School
in Finland (2022–2024) and the commander of the Finnish Forces in Iraq in the
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in Iraq (2022).
Quotes
“Finland’s membership of NATO and
increasing contributions, including the integration of staff into JFC Norfolk,
cannot be understated,” said Deputy Commander Vice Admiral James Morley, RN.
“Brigadier General Mikael Salo brings a vast amount of experience and will be
key to the success of this headquarters in 2025.”
“It is a great honor to assume my
new duties at JFC Norfolk and to represent Finland in the United States,” said
Brigadier General Mikael Salo. “It is an exciting time to join the headquarters
due to its ongoing strong organization development. I am looking forward to
contributing to the Command’s operational readiness, joint exercises, and
planning of our deterrence and defence capabilities.”
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Quick Facts
•
JFC Norfolk is led by Vice Admiral Doug Perry, USN and Deputy Commander Vice
Admiral James Morley RN
•
JFC Norfolk was established in 2019
·
Brigadier General
Mikael Salo is Finland’s highest-ranking officer in the United States and is
the Assistant Chief of Staff J7 at Joint Force Command Norfolk.
·
J7 is the Training /
Planning Division responsible of education, training, exercises and evaluations
(ETEE) functions to support JFC Norfolk.