NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg began a visit to the United States on Thursday (5 April 2018) with a speech at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he stressed the importance of North America and Europe standing strong together to face common challenges. While on the university campus, the Secretary General also met with former US President George W. Bush at the Presidential Center. The Secretary General's schedule also included a visit to the Lockheed Martin F-35 plant to express appreciation for developing cutting edge capabilities for the United States and other Allies.