Deputy Defense Secretary Robert O. Work and Canadian Deputy Minister of Defense Richard Fadden discussed global security challenges and their countries’ collaboration on counter-ISIL operations in Iraq during a meeting at the Pentagon yesterday, according to a Defense Department spokesperson.
Work led off the meeting by extending his personal condolences for the loss of Canadian military members Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, according to a statement issued yesterday by Deputy Secretary of Defense Spokesperson Navy Lt. Cmdr. Courtney Hillson.
Vincent and Cirillo were killed in Canada by radicalized citizens in two separate incidents last month.
Work and Fadden then discussed global security challenges and their collaboration on counter-ISIL operations in Iraq, Hillson said in the statement. Work commended Canada for its contributions, particularly in conducting airstrikes against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Kurdish forces in Northern Iraq.
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine, noting their ongoing efforts to provide assistance to Ukraine and both nations' contributions to NATO reassurance measures, Hillson said.
Work provided Fadden with an overview of the department's review of its nuclear enterprise, Hillson said in the statement. Work highlighted that the U.S. nuclear arsenal is safe, secure, and effective and that the department is taking action to address the issues identified in the review.
The two leaders concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to sustaining a strong bilateral relationship and to continue working together on issues that transverse their shared borders, Hillson said.