U.S. Army Sgt. Thriska Smith assigned to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division displays an American flag to the crowd from a CH-47F Chinook helicopter during the 4th Annual Black Sea Air Show at Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport, Romania, August 2, 2025. The air show displayed military aircraft, vehicles, and equipment from the United States, Romania, Italy, and Germany for exhibitors, visitors, and military delegations. This event provided an opportunity for Army aviation crews to demonstrate their elite flying skills and abilities while also demonstrating the U.S. commitment to providing forward deployed combat-credible forces in the region. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Regina Koesters)

Aug. 18, 2025

Black Sea Air Show 2025: Strengthening NATO Presence through Allied Aviation Demonstrations

MIHAIL KOGĂLNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania — Under vast Romanian skies, a multinational spectacle took flight as United States, Romanian, and German aircraft participated in the 4th edition of the Black Sea Air Show at Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport in Romania on August 2, 2025. With a record attendance of over 20,000 spectators, leaders and Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division and 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) had the unique opportunity to showcase the capabilities of vehicles, equipment, and aircraft to the local community alongside our NATO Allies and partners.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Reese Riccardo, a tactical air control party serving as the joint terminal attack controller assigned to 15th Air Support Operation Squadron, supporting 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, Fire Support Team, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, fires a mortar round during a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) July 25, 2025, at the Central Training Area near Camp Tapa, Estonia. This CALFEX served as a way to increase lethality and effectiveness, and improve the interoperability between NATO allies and partners. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nathan Morse)

Aug. 15, 2025

5-7 Cav Conducts Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise

Camp Tapa, Estonia — Camp Tapa, Estonia — Nestled deep within the Baltic country of Estonia, Soldiers with the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, alongside allied forces, executed a combined arms live fire exercise, or CALFEX, July 21-25, at the Central Training Area.

U.S. Army Spc. Ian Anglin, assigned to the Deathwatch Platoon, 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, assisting during a first person view drone release, on Grafenwöhr Training Area, July 21, 2025. The 1 ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division, tests purpose-built, retrievable FPV drones to highlight the ability against autonomous targets to improve battlefield readiness and integration with armored units. The 3rd Infantry Division and V Corps are part of America’s Forward Deployed Corps in Europe which works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Josefina Garcia)

Aug. 11, 2025

FPV Drone Training in Germany Continues drumbeat of the Army's Transformation Initiative

GRAFENWOEHR — In the wet and rainy woods of Germany, drone blades whirr and cut through the drizzle as Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division test newly minted First Person View (FPV) drones. These drones are part of the US Army's armored brigade combat team TiC (Transformation in Contact) training progression and experimentation, which tests new, low-cost, and portable methods for defeating adversaries utilizing small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). The drones Soldiers are testing are designed to be one-way single munition-drones that strike a moving or stationary target. As weapon systems, these small FPV drones are inexpensive and portable, allowing individuals to deploy them in combat without relying on larger, more expensive weapon systems.

U.S. Army Col. Jeremy McHugh, incoming commander of U.S. Army Garrison Poland, left, takes part in the traditional “passing of the guidon” by receiving the USAG-Poland guidon from Tommy Mize, right, Director of Installation Management Command Europe, during the Garrison’s change of command ceremony, Camp Kościuszko, Poland, July 15, 2025. Established on March 21, 2023, USAG Poland supports 7,500 American Soldiers across 12 sites, delivering quality infrastructure and services to enable V Corps readiness and stands as the Army’s home on the Eastern Flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Devin Klecan)

Aug. 8, 2025

USAG Poland Change of Command anchors garrison on Eastern Flank

CAMP KOSCIUSZKO, Poland — U.S. Army Garrison Poland turned the page on its next chapter of leadership July 15, 2025, as Col. Jeremy McHugh assumed command from Col. Jesse Chace. McHugh will be the first commander with a two-year tenure.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jonathan Roland, commander of the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and a combined color guard of squadron personnel and the Maryland National Guard Soldiers salute Estonian Maj. Gen. Ilmar Tamm during the Victory Day ceremony in Pärnu, Estonia, June 23, 2025. Estonian Victory Day commemorates the 1919 Battle of Võnnu, when Estonian forces defeated Baltic-German troops during the War of Independence, a pivotal moment in Estonia’s fight for sovereignty. Serving under Task Force Iron, the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division and Soldiers of the Maryland National Guard are deployed to Europe to conduct multinational training alongside NATO allies and regional partners, supporting V Corps’ mission to provide combat-credible forces across the continent. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Daniel Luong)

July 25, 2025

Task Force Iron, Maryland National Guard join NATO allies in Estonia’s Victory Day Parade

PÄRNU, Estonia — On June 23, 2025, U.S. Army soldiers from Task Force Iron and the Maryland National Guard joined NATO allies in Estonia’s Victory Day parade in Pärnu. This parade commemorates Estonia’s 1919 victory in its War of Independence and celebrates the nation’s freedom. The U.S. participation – including a color guard and a flyover of Black Hawk helicopters – was meant to demonstrate strong support for Estonia and NATO’s commitment to Baltic security. The event also highlighted the importance of international cooperation, with soldiers practicing cross-border operations. The Maryland National Guard has a long-standing partnership with Estonia, dating back to 1993, and has been instrumental in helping Estonia build its defense capabilities and join NATO. The parade was attended by the President of Estonia, who thanked the U.S., UK, and French soldiers stationed in Estonia.

July 21, 2025

Baltic Viking enhances Michigan Army National Guard's readiness to support NATO and Latvia

Camp Adazi, Latvia — From June 1-13, 2025, U.S. Army soldiers from the Michigan National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment participated in Exercise Baltic Viking in Latvia, training alongside NATO allies from Denmark and the Latvian Armed Forces. The exercise focused on enhancing combat skills, particularly in preparation for large-scale combat operations and modern trench warfare. Soldiers practiced live-fire exercises, machine gun training, and maneuvering within a realistic trench system. A key benefit was the opportunity to learn from and improve interoperability with allied nations. This deployment to Latvia – part of a larger Michigan National Guard mobilization exercise involving over 2000 personnel – demonstrated the state’s ability to rapidly deploy forces and integrate with NATO partners, boosting overall combat readiness and strengthening the alliance. Leaders emphasized the unique value of the training environment in Latvia, which couldn't be replicated elsewhere.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. William Branch, Multinational Battle Group Poland commander, 1st Armored Division, 3rd Infantry Division, supporting Task Force Iron, poses for a photo with Tomasz Andrukiewicz, mayor of Ełk, near a static display of military vehicles during the city’s 600th anniversary celebration, May 31, 2025. Soldiers from the United States, Romania, and the United Kingdom joined residents in celebrating the jubilee milestone. The event allowed residents to interact directly with soldiers from Battle Group Poland, fostering relationships and building cultural understanding. Task Force Iron’s mission is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent to increase lethality while strengthening partnerships with NATO allies and regional security partners. The task force provides combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s only forward-deployed corps in Europe.

July 18, 2025

U.S. troops join forces with NATO Allies in a show of unity

EŁK , Poland — On May 31, 2025, U.S. Army soldiers from Task Force Iron, along with NATO allies from the U.K., Romania, Croatia, and Poland, participated in a parade celebrating the 600th anniversary of the city of Ełk, Poland. The event was a way for the multinational battle group – stationed nearby to enhance NATO readiness – to connect with the local community. Hundreds of residents came out to interact with the soldiers and view military vehicles. Leaders from both the U.S. Army and the city of Ełk emphasized the importance of building strong relationships and demonstrating a commitment to Poland’s security and NATO’s collective defense. The parade and festivities highlighted the camaraderie and shared values between the U.S., Poland, and other NATO allies. It underscored the importance of these partnerships in maintaining stability and security in the region.

Polish army Maj. Gen. Maciej Jablonski, V Corps' deputy commanding general for interoperability, speaks during a panel at LANDEURO Warrior’s Corner in Wiesbaden, Germany, July 17, 2025. He emphasized the importance of allied cooperation in Poland’s ongoing modernization and the critical role of V Corps in enabling that progress. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tyler Brock)

July 17, 2025

V Corps, NATO Leaders Showcase Allied Modernization at LANDEURO Warrior’s Corner

WIESBADEN, Germany — Senior leaders from V Corps and NATO partner forces came together Thursday during LANDEURO’s Warrior’s Corner to discuss how they’re building allied warfighting capability in Europe.

Warrant Officer 1 Harley Upham of the British Army, assigned as the command sergeant major of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, speaks during a senior enlisted leadership panel at LANDEURO’s Warriors Corner in Wiesbaden, Germany, July 16, 2025. Panelists addressed how NCOs can lead through transformation while reinforcing core warfighting skills and multinational cooperation across NATO formations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tyler Brock)

July 17, 2025

Leaders highlight multinational innovation and integration at LANDEURO

WIESBADEN, Germany — Bulgaria army and U.S. Army leaders discussed their shared effort to spearhead innovation on NATO’s Eastern Flank at LANDEURO here July 16. Bulgaria army Maj. Gen. Deyan Deshkov, Bulgarian Land Forces commander, and U.S. Army Col. Donald Neal, commander of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment based in Germany, teamed together to deliver the first Warriors Corner presentation at the Association of the United States Army LANDEURO symposium and exposition in the RheinMain CongessCenter.

Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Bohannon, senior enlisted leader for V Corps Forward, speaks to an audience of multinational service members during a senior NCO leadership forum at LANDEURO’s Warriors Corner in Wiesbaden, Germany, July 16, 2025. The discussion centered on empowering NCOs through tough, realistic training, interoperability, and a return to foundational leadership across NATO’s Eastern Flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tyler Brock)

July 16, 2025

NCOs at LANDEURO Stress Back-to-Basics Leadership on NATO’s Eastern Flank

WIESBADEN, Germany — Senior enlisted leaders from the United States, United Kingdom and Estonia gathered at LANDEURO’s Warrior’s Corner Wednesday to discuss the future of the NCO corps in Europe, emphasizing warfighting, transformation, interoperability, and the need to reinforce foundational skills.