Hodges made the statement after meeting Croatia's highest defence officials.
He arrived in Croatia as part of a tour of countries in the EUCOM/USAREUR area of responsibility, and during his stay he will visit the military ranges in Udbina and Slunj and discuss with Croatian officials the possibility of upgrading those ranges for future joint training and exercises.
Speaking to reporters after talks with Defence Minister Ante Kotromanovic and the Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff, General Drago Lovric, Hodges said that he looked forward to visiting the said army ranges, that Croatia had been a capable, efficient and credible partner and a NATO member for several years, that Croatian and US troops served together in Afghanistan and that Croatia continued to provide excellent support there, as well as that its support against Islamist extremists had been very important.
He also noted that Croatian officers and soldiers were excellent and underlined the importance of caring well for veterans after the end of their military service.
General Lovric said that the USA was Croatia's main ally and that Croatia was committed to further cooperation and development of defence and military capabilities through training courses, exercises and education in the USA.
"We discussed different initiatives and what the Croatian and US armies have achieved so far. I would like to underline that the USA is Croatia's main ally as regards defence and security," he added.
"We have numerous joint activities and more than a thousand of our officers have been educated in the USA. We are committed to continuing our cooperation and to developing our defence and military capabilities through different training courses, exercises and education in the USA," Lovric added.
He underlined that regional stability was the key priority for Croatia.
"We discussed ways to improve our cooperation... and ways to participate together in peace-supporting and humanitarian operations with countries in the region. I can say that we are exceptionally satisfied with our cooperation with the countries in the region," said Lovric.