US and UK sign agreement improving mutual support to military forces

08 January 2007

Brigadier David Shouesmith and Rear Admiral Michael Lyden sign an updated Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Arrangement (ACSA) between the United States Department of Defense and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence

Brigadier David Shouesmith (front left) and Rear Admiral Michael Lyden (ft right) and staff from the United States Department of Defense and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence at the signing of the updated Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Arrangement

On January 8, Rear Admiral Michael Lyden, U.S. European Command Director of Logistics and Security Assistance and Brigadier David Shouesmith, Director of Defense Logistic Operations at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed an updated Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Arrangement (ACSA) between the United States Department of Defense and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.

The new ACSA builds in process improvements and expands the area of applicability from the previous document which was signed in 1984. The new ACSA will allow United Kingdom and U.S. military forces to exchange logistics support, supplies, and services, enhancing the ability to support exercises, peace-keeping operations, and humanitarian support missions anywhere in the world.

The ACSA facilitates logistic interoperability, military cooperation, unit readiness and increases flexibility for operational commanders. Speaking at the signing ceremony at the MOD in London, Rear Admiral Lyden said, “Much has changed in our approach to providing mutual security since 1984. The U.S. European Command is very pleased to be signing this ACSA with the UK, to bring the agreement forward, and to build upon our rich history of mutual support.”