International dignitaries, leaders commemorate Dayton Peace Accords Published May 27, 2025 By Marisa Alia-Novobilski Air Force Materiel Command WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Presidents, Heads of State, and dignitaries from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and U.S. Congress visited here May 25 to commemorate the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, which ended the more than three-year long Bosnian War in 1995. “The Dayton Peace Accords were significant in ending the Bosnian war and establishing a collective commitment that became a framework for peace. They are but one example of what can be achieved through robust multi-national cooperation,” said Lt. Gen. Linda S. Hurry, Deputy Commander, Air Force Materiel Command during opening remarks at the event. “We are very proud of the role we played in making this happen. Our teams were pivotal in encouraging the talks to continue when faced with challenges.” The commemorative event was held at the Hope Hotel’s Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center, located just outside the gates of Wright-Patterson AFB, with the ceremony in the same room that the breakthrough agreement was signed signifying the war’s end. Commemoration of the Dayton Peace Accords U.S. congressional leaders and NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegates attend the Commemoration of the Dayton Peace Accords, part of the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session, at the Hope Hotel and Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, May 25, 2025. The session commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords and serves as a platform for dialogue on transatlantic security and cooperation.(Photo by Ashley Richards) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with Maj. Melanie “Mach” Kluesner, commander of the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in Dayton, Ohio. This session marks the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords—the historic agreement negotiated at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base that ended the Bosnian war. Over 240 parliamentarians from NATO member and partner countries gathered for the first U.S.-based meeting in more than 20 years.(U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Commemoration of Dayton Peace Accords A replica of the Wright Flyer stands on display at the 30th Anniversary Commemoration of the Dayton Peace Accords, May 24, held in conjunction with the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session at the Hope Hotel and Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Wright Flyer symbolizes the innovation, determination and overcoming of challenges that the Wright Brothers faced in their quest for airborne flight. This parallels the circumstances that brought the nations to Dayton in 1995 in a quest to end the Bosnian War, tackling challenges and seeking resolution to reach an agreement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ashley Richards) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res In addition to Hurry, speakers at the event included Ray Ortensie, AFMC Command Historian, and Congressman Mike Turner, U.S. Representative from Ohio’s 10th District and the U.S. Chairman for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Turner was the Dayton Mayor at the time of the 1995 peace events. “We will leave here with a renewed obligation and understanding of how we fight authoritarianism, how we fight corruption, how we pull together, how we build democratic institutions and how we support democratic institutions,” he said. Termed the Proximity Peace Talks, the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords involved nearly 2,000 Wright-Patterson AFB Airmen and civilians who, in less than two weeks’ time, constructed separate facilities, secured distinguished visitor accommodations and acquired equipment including telephones, fax machines, and computers, and more to support the diplomats and heads of state who attended the peace events. Wright-Patterson AFB was chosen to host the negotiations for reasons that included the level of security, available runway, and proximity between the Visitor’s Quarters and the Hope Hotel, where negotiations were set to occur. The talks, which began on Nov. 1, 1995, concluded 21 days later with the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and featured nine delegations from the United States, the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia, the European Union, the Republic of France, the Republic of Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom. They earned the name “proximity talks” because the negotiations were comprised of numerous, individual talks among delegates rather than one set of negotiations with everyone always present. The official agreement was finalized and signed in Paris on Dec. 14, 1995. “It was three decades ago that your nations came to this site in Dayton to take part in negotiations. They participated in talks that, despite challenges, ultimately resulted in a commitment to peace and prosperity through partnership,” said Hurry. “Our alliances and partnerships are vital for international security. They foster mutual respect and cooperation, contributing to a climate of security and stability.”