MILITARY chiefs from across the globe flew into a major Suffolk airbase before launching into discussions over future strategy in key operations.Chiefs of Defence Staff from all 19 countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) arrived at American base RAF Mildenhall shortly after 5.

MILITARY chiefs from across the globe flew into a major Suffolk airbase before launching into discussions over future strategy in key operations.

Chiefs of Defence Staff from all 19 countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) arrived at American base RAF Mildenhall shortly after 5.30pm yesterdayand were welcomed by ex-Royal Anglian General Sir Mike Walker.

Also in the massive party were representatives of seven countries hoping to join NATO in the near future and over 100 officers from the organisation's headquarters in Brussels.

During a short ceremony, General Harald Kujat, the chairman of NATO's military committee, and General Walker, Britain's Chief of Defence Staff, inspected an honour guard formed by the Queen's Colour Squadron of the RAF. The band from RAF College Cranwell were also on parade.

The officials passed through Suffolk en route to a key meeting due to take place in Cambridge today, during which chiefs will provide guidance to NATO's strategic commanders.

Three such conferences are held annually, two of which take place in Brussels with the final meeting hosted by different NATO members every year on a rotational basis.

The officials will travel to Wattisham Airfield, home of the 16th Air Assault Brigade, tomorrow, for a military demonstration before leaving the country later in the week.