British Embassy Washington’s Post

Understanding the past is crucial to honing the skills of our current Armed Forces. As part of studies with the American National Defence University, students from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School – including the Royal Air Force’s Ben Livesey - visited historical battle sites to reflect on the challenges of 18th century warfare. “Visiting battlefields at Yorktown and Chancellorsville was an excellent experience” says Ben. “Studying history is imperative to inform future operations. The opportunity to see actual venues consolidates learning and draws out further discussion.” The UK is a strong supporter of Joint Professional Military Education and provides Officers - like Ben - to the US National Defense University every year. Together, with their US counterparts, they are preparing for senior leadership by developing the skills needed to solve some of the world's most complex problems.

“It’s great to look to the future on how we will advance the agenda for women, peace and security.” Lucy Ferguson, British Minister Counsellor for Foreign Policy, Security and Development. Bringing together allies and partners is key to supporting the meaningful participation of women in building long-lasting peace. Picking up where this summer’s 75th NATO Summit left off, representatives from a variety of nations came together to challenge and critique some of the most pressing updates to the agenda for Women Peace and Security at a roundtable co-hosted by the British and German embassies in Washington. Both countries are exceptionally proud of their leadership in this area and work tirelessly around the world to further the cause, in crisis regions, multilateral organisations and at the regional level.

UK-US troops deploy together in hotspots all over the world. The challenges of the frontline are vast – so it makes sense they learn how to face them together. The Royal Marine’s Tim Jukes recently joined US peers at the National Defence University to study on the prestigious Keystone course. “Keystone enhances our ability to work together” he says. “Leveraging combined knowledge will be essential in tackling future threats.” Keystone is designed for senior US military - with international participants - and aims to prepare today’s leaders for the challenges they will face in future. The intense 2-week course includes visits to various Combatant Commands and Joint Task Forces – an experience Tim says was very rewarding. “During one trip, we had time with the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Seeing how honest he was and regularly being asked for my perspective shows how much America values its allies.”

Women's football/soccer has carved out its own space; and is leading the way both on and off the field. As part of the growing trajectory, Arsenal Women FC - the UK's most successful women's soccer team - kicked off their first ever pre-season tour in the US in Washington DC. Ahead of their 2-1 victory over DC's Washington Spirit team, British Deputy Ambassador to the US, James Roscoe, hosted a panel discussion on the Viability and Growth of Women's Sport, with Juliet Slot (Chief Commercial Officer, Arsenal F.C), Michele Kang (Owner, Washington Spirit), Bruce Orcutt (CMO of women's sporting non-profit ABBYY) and Melissa Schulman (CVS Health Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs). cbssports host Christine Cupo moderated. And Kang, whose aim is to build the profile of women’s soccer globally, also found welcome support from actor Jason Sudekis, best known for his TV role as football coach Ted Lasso, who joined the game and met with players and fans. #Believe

#DYK This incredible new satellite - supporting military operations from space - was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California by SpaceX? Tyche is the first of a network of new satellites being developed under Project ISTARI in the UK.

As part of their initial training, Junior Officers from Britannia Royal Naval College - who are all in the process of gaining engineering degrees at university – are completing wider instruction with the US Navy’s Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 🇬🇧-🇺🇸 This includes operating the academy’s fleet of Yard Patrol craft (nicknamed YP’s) with US mentors who reinforce navigation and seamanship training taught at the Naval Academy. The experience allows trainees to learn new skills and take on leadership roles – such as being a craft’s Commanding Officer – to prepare them for what they may encounter in future. “Inherently in the Navy, you’re going to be working with other countries” says Dan Hayward “learning to operate with the US Navy and understanding their way of doing things is really important.” Of course it isn’t all hard work and the graduates have been exploring America during their time here. “Boston was a definite highlight” says Honesty Shaw-Young. “We went sightseeing and even ran around the city through some beautiful parks. It was a great experience.”

HM Treasury Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves spoke with Planet Money's The Indicator about the future of economic globalization during her recent trip to the US. Listen to the full interview ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e_TGaTQ8

Today, we say a fond farewell to Dylan Evans who leaves the British Embassy in Washington for Harvard after 2-years exceptional service with the Strategic Command team. Good luck with your studies Dylan! 🎓📚