US Army, NATO. M1A2 Abrams tanks during a tactical road march in Germany.

Testing 2nd Cav:7th Army Training Command's Saber Junction 23

Saber Junction 23 is a 7th Army Training Command-conducted,U.S. Army Europe and Africa-directed annual drill designed to assess the readiness of US Army units to execute unified land operations in a joint,combined environment,and to provide interoperability with participating Allied and Partner nations.This year's iteration of SJ23 runs from 28 August to 23 September 2023.It aims to prepare a US Army Brigade Combat Team for NATO's collective deterrence and defence initiatives.2nd Cavalry Regiment out of Rose Barracks,Germany is leading SJ23.*Over 4,000 Soldiers from NATO Allies and Partners are participating,including:Albania,Armenia,Belgium,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Bulgaria,Croatia,France,Georgia,Italy,Lithuania,North Macedonia,Poland,the UK and the US.*75 Polish troops from the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division out of Zagan,Poland are serving as the command element of 2CR.*More than 3,000 US troops from 2CR,3rd Combat Aviation Brigade and 18th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion are the training audience of the approximately 900 Soldiers from other countries.250 French troops of the 96th Infantry Regiment out of Clermont-Ferrand,France will serve as part of 2CR.*The drills are being held at the Joint Multinational Readiness Centre in Hohenfels,Germany.2CR will have its capabilities and readiness to deter aggression and operate in a multidomain battlespace tested.Said Major John Ambelang,JMRC spokesperson:SJ23 is a great opportunity to get units sets and repetitions on situations they may be faced with in reality.We do everything we can to put them in that mindset from day one.*2CR arrived on 7 September to commence the force-on-force drills,solving complex problems with Allies and Partners.

NATO Land Forces:Combined Resolve Shapes an Armored Brigade Combat Team

Exercise Combined Resolve 18 is underway in Bavaria,Germany at the Joint International Readiness Center near Hohenfels,U.S. Army Europe and Africa announced in a press release.It is a recurrent exercise meant to prepare a U.S. Armored Brigade Combat Team in support of NATO deterrence initiatives such as bolstering readiness,responsiveness,and reinforcement.Leading CR18 is the 2nd Brigade,1st Cavalry Division Armored Combat Team as the primary focus of the drills.The Polish Armed Forces' 16th Mechanized Brigade is the higher command.Participating in CR18 are over 4,000 Soldiers from the US,Allied and Partner nations,including:Azerbaijan,Albania,Belgium,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Georgia,Italy,Lithuania,North Macedonia,Poland,Romania,Slovakia,Slovenia,Turkey,the UK and the US.The exercise evaluates and assesses the ABCT's ability to conduct combat operations in a complex,multi-domain battlespace.By drilling with Allied and Partner nations,interoperability and readiness will be enhanced,said 7th Army Training Command.Thus the drills will break barriers of human and linguistic boundaries to ensure readiness to effectively respond to a regional crisis. For example,U.S. Airmen assigned to the 9th Air Support Operations Squadron interoperated with Belgian Soldiers assigned to the Intelligence,Surveillance,Target Acquisition and Reconnaisance Battalion and U.S. Soldiers of 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team,1st Cav on 6 May 2023.In another instance,U.S. Soldiers assigned to 15th Support Battalion,2nd ABCT of 1st Cav,supporting the 4th Infantry Division,prepared for decontamination conducted by Albanian Soldiers assigned to the Albanian Chemical,Biological,Radiological and Nuclear Platoon in the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany on 10 May 2023.The CR series provides a realistic manoeuvre training capability in Europe that can be tailored to individual US,Allied and Partner units.The simulated combat environment offers realistic training scenarios of a modern battlefield.CR18 reinforces the U.S. Army's,Allies' and Partners' ability to fight and win on any battlefield,7th Army Training Command indicated. The situation of an actually ongoing war in Europe points up the importance of achieving readiness to fight tonight,and the Soldiers on this exercise are aware of that necessity.* CR18 began on 21 April and runs through 23 May 2023.This iteration of CR18 has featured an emphasis on U.S. Civil Affairs Soldiers preparing for conflict in Europe by interoperating with Romanian Civil Affairs Soldiers (CIMIC).Such troops would interact with local civilians,including key leaders,in the course of military operations,so role-playing is used.

NATO Land Forces:Saber Junction 22 Tests Combined Operations

More than 4400 troops are currently participating in land warfare drills at the US Army Hohenfels Training Area,Germany.Allied and Partner nations partcipating include Albania,Belgium,Bulgaria,Georgia,Hungary,Italy,Kosovo,Lithuania,North Macedonia,Romania,Slovakia,Turkey,the UK and the US. Bulgarian Soldiers are acting as members of the US Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade.More than 100 members of Bulgaria's Headquarters,2nd Mechanised Battalion;the self-propelled artillery battalion of 61st Stryama Mechanised Brigade with 15 units of equipment;and members of the Intelligence,Surveillance and Reconnaisance Battalion (STAR) are improving their skills through the exercise.The annual drills are to assess the preparedness of US Army units to execute unified land operations in a joint,combined environment while enhancing interoperability with Allied and Partner nations.* The exercise runs from 29 August to 20 September 2022.It trains leaders,staff,units and multinational partners to dominate in unified land operations worldwide.For example,on Airborne Operations Day 1,immediately being dropped,a US Army paratrooper checked his automatic rifle out before doing anything else.Another US Army paratrooper strode across the meadow with his machine gun at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels on 7 September.The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the US Army's rapidly deployable Contingency Response Force in Europe.They are forward deployed across Italy and Germany.*

US Army Europe Leads Simulated Warfighting:Combined Resolve XVI Forms NATO Allies and Partners

Some 4600 troops from Bulgaria;Georgia;Greece;Italy;Lithuania;Poland;Serbia;Slovenia;Ukraine;the UK and the US are currently staging combat drills in snowy Bavaria,Germany's Hohenfels Training Area.The exercise is to evaluate and assess the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team,1st Infantry Division's ability to conduct multinational operations in a multi-domain simulated battlespace.The drills began 17 November 2021 and run till 20 December.They are large-scale operations in a dynamic environment geared at achieving interoperability with unified Allies and Partners.The ultimate goal is to affirm that,together,they will be victorious in any conflict. The multinational counterparts are testing their skills across all warfighting functions,thus creating a more lethal coalition.According to Major General Adam Joks,Deputy Commanding General-Interoperabilty V Corps: By conducting combined operations with our Allies,our Soldiers learn how to work together effectively to achieve tactical objectives...integrating systems,procedures and building lasting relationships with our Allies.* Units based in the US are brought to Europe for nine months at a time in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve,a response to Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2014.This creates a unified front which serves to deter aggression in the region.CBR XVI represents US commitment to a free,democratic,safe and secure Europe by maintaining readiness to dominate large-scale operations in the European theatre.* A tactical operations centre was set up to support brigade leadership during the combined arms operations in the complex battlespace.Procedures for Command and Control across multinational formations,such as the Bulgarian Land Forces and their BTR-60 armoured personnel carriers,during the field portion of the exercise.*

US Ups Its NATO Commitment to Germany

US Army Europe is increasing its troop strength in Germany,despite President Donald Trump's recent complaints that Germany isn't doing enough to defend itself and its NATO allies.Between now and 2020,USAEUR will be sending new units comprised of 1500 additional troops,mainly to Southern Germany.The move will round out existing US combat forces in Germany up to divisional strength.The new total commitment to Germany will be 34,800 American Soldiers in Deutschland.
Germany praised the decision.*
The new US forces will include:
1.a field artillery brigade HQ in Bavaria,Southern Germany;
2.2 multiple rocket launch system battalions in Bavaria;
3.a short-range air defence battalion in Ansbach,Bavaria;
4.support personnel at Grafenwoehr,Bavaria;and
5.support personnel at Baumholder,Rhineland-Palatinate,Western Germany,near the border with France.
According to USAEUR:
The addition of these forces increases US Army readiness in Europe and ensures we are better able to respond to any crisis.*
A Newsweek magazine investigation showed that the Trump administration has increased spending on USAEUR and its drills by up to 40%,or 1.4 billion dollars.

NATO's Allied Spirit On Display in Germany

NATO Exercise Allied Spirit VIII has commenced at 7th Army Training Command's Hohenfeld Training Area in Southeastern Germany.The drills began on 15 January 2018 and run until 5 February.About 4100 troops from 10 countries are taking part in the initiative:Albania;Canada;the Czech Republic;Denmark;Italy;Lithuania;Poland;Romania;the UK;and the US.*
Poland's 12th Mechanised Brigade,the Blue Brigade from Szczecin,is commanding the multinational brigade HQ.This assignment will test its ability to plan,manage and implement the logistics security process,including subordinate international forces.AS VIII is the first exercise where a NATO Ally,Poland,is bringing the full complement of manoeuvre warfare capabilities to a combat training centre environment.About 2420 US and 1680 Allied Soldiers will gain practical experience and test secure communications between NATO Allies and partners,working together in and for a multinational effort.*
Participating in Allied Spirit VIII means building interoperability for NATO,truly demonstrating NATO integration.It will develop and enhance NATO and key partner interoperability and readiness across the specified warfighting functions,according to US Army Europe.

NATO's Allied Spirit VII:Close Quarters Combat Drills in Northern Europe - plus Nuclear Planning Group meets

A three week-long NATO infantry exercise is drawing to a conclusion at US Army Europe's Hohenfels Training Area,Germany.Allied Spirit VII is a 7th Army Training Command-conducted exercise emphasising tactical interoperability and testing secure communications among NATO Allies,7th Army TC said.Running from 30 October to 22 November,some 4,000 troops from 13 countries have taken part in the warfighting drills:the Czech Republic,Denmark,France,Germany,Hungary,Italy,Lithuania,Poland,Portugal,Slovenia,Spain,the UK and the US.Among those units representing the US were the 40th Infantry Division,California Army National Guard;Field Artillery Squadron,2nd Cavalry Regiment;1st Battalion,3rd Aviation Regiment with Apache AH-64D Longbows.*
Italian soldiers of the 24th Field Artillery Regiment calibrated and camouflaged their FH 70 155mm Field Howitzers.*
The allied armies were integrated into a single multinational brigade under a Lithuanian headquarters command.Initial activities included IED awareness training;medical training;route clearance;and chemical,biological,radiological and nuclear defence.*
According to Lieutenant Colonel Jez Lamb,British Army 1st Battalion,Royal Regiment,Fusiliers,who were participating in their first Allied Spirit exercise:
It was totally different from what we normally do,because most of our training is conducted in Canada on wide-open prairies.But here,maximum ranges are about 50 meters,so it's very close.We can't form nice open formations,so the whole thing is totally different.*
Once the Allies had studied the terrain,the multinational brigade moved into a combat scenario versus simulated enemy forces.Skills were integrated to conduct recons;dismounts;attacks;and defensive operations as an interoperable warfighting force.
Note:At the recent Defence Ministerial in Brussels,NATO's Nuclear Planning Group,consisting of all Alliance members except France,which doesn't wish to belong to the Group,and chaired by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg,met to discuss the Alliance's nuclear forces and policies.Topics typically include the safety and survivability of nuclear weapons,communications and information systems,as well as deployment issues,NATO says.The Alliance's nuclear policy is kept under review and decisions are taken jointly to modify or adapt it in light of new developments,and to update and adjust planning and consultation procedures.
It is known that,at this Defence Ministerial,the US informed the Alliance that Russia is in violation of its Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty obligations.This could ultimately result in a decision involving a change in the Alliance's own nuclear posture.*

NATO's Combined Resolve VIII:Building a Rapid and Lethal Combat Force for Central and Eastern Europe

A major NATO exercise is underway at the US Army's Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels Training Areas in Southeast Germany.The extensive drills are running from 19 April to 16 June 2017,with over 3400 troops from 10 NATO Allies and partners.Those participating include:
Albania;Finland;Hungary;Kosovo;Lithuania;Macedonia;Romania;Slovenia;Ukraine;and the US Army's European Rotational Force,as represented by the Mission Command Element and 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team,4th Infantry Division,out of Fort Carson,Colorado;and the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade out of Fort Drum,New York.
CRVIII has three phases:
1.Combined arms live-fire exercises on Grafenwoehr;
2.Command post exercise;
3.Force-on-force manoeuvre training at the US Army Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels.*
About 1400 4th ID troops were relocated from Zagan,Poland to support the drills.According to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team,4th ID operations officer Major Jon Alexander:
Participation in this multinational exercise not only demonstrates our ability to freely move an armoured brigade around Europe;it provides the best opportunities to train with as many Allies as possible,so that we are collectively stronger as a fighting force.*
The movement of the 3/4 ABCT from Poland to Germany took about two weeks.The ABCT's Tactical Command Post (TAC) was set up by 29 March.Relocating this HQ was to further support the NATO Allies in the combined environment of the Training Areas.Its mission is to support multiple field exercises such as CR VIII and Saber Guardian 17,which are multinational joint operations.
3/4 ABCT is the current heavy brigade in rotation for Operation Atlantic Resolve,the effort to strengthen NATO's battle force in Europe.*
The TAC was set up to control the fight and battle track while the larger Tactical Operations Center (TOC) is being moved.There was 100% accountability of all personnel,equipment and sensitive items in 48 hours.The 3/4 ABCT will repeatedly mass and move around Central and Eastern Europe to demonstrate the ability to freely and rapidly manoeuvre an armoured force across Alliance member-states.The equipment being moved includes the TOCs;M1A2 Abrams tanks;and M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.Exercising the rapid mobility of a brigade and its more than 2600 pieces of equipment has become muscle memory to the Soldiers involved,noted Captain Alex Carreon,TAC officer in charge with HHC Brigade.

NATO's Exercise Allied Spirit IV:Winter Warfare Challenge

NATO's Exercise Allied Spirit IV is now underway in Bavaria,Germany at the Hohenfels Training Area.The snowy landscape provides a challenging setting for the more than 2400 troops from Canada,Italy,Germany,Latvia,Slovenia,the UK and the US who are participating in the high intensity drills.Combat scenarios being enacted include conventional forces engagement;guerilla warfare;and defending against a chemical weapons attack.They are intended to train brigade and battalion level commands for real world battlefields.*
Leading the major exercise is Italy's Garibaldi Brigade,being the brigade headquarters for Allied Spirit.The Michigan Army National Guard is lead advisor in the higher command echelon.Other US troops participating are the US Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 173rd Airborne Brigade.Besides the Michigan National Guard,Army National Guard troops from Louisiana,Ohio,Washington,DC and California are honing their skills at Hohenfels as well.*
It is our hope to not only learn from our allies,but also demonstrate the US overall support of the NATO mission,said Michigan Army National Guard Colonel Clark C. Barret,Commander,NATO Rapid Deployment Corps-Hohenfels (NRDC-H).The NATO allies show they can work together to resolve potential threats,safeguarding the freedom and security of its members through political and military means,which is a fundamental principal of the most successful military alliance in history,COL Barret added.*
Hohenfels confronts the soldiers with extreme cold and snow,varied terrain and obstacles,testing their ability to respond to simulated threats and challenging all levels of command with decision making and overall operational planning,US Army Europe said.