U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Troyer, a forward observer (left), and Sgt. Kevin Shipley, a team chief with 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery, Detachment 1, Maryland Army National Guard, plot grid coordinates during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 14, 2025. The State Partnership Program between the Maryland National Guard and Estonia emphasizes civil and military cooperation with civil control of a professional military. Maryland has a key role in this international initiative to foster democracy, encourage market economies and promote regional cooperation and stability. Established in 1993, the Maryland-Estonia partnership serves as a model for future State Partnership Program efforts. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rose Di Trolio)

June 20, 2025

Maryland National Guard Strengthens Ties with Estonia During Exercise Hedgehog

VÕRU, Estonia — Exercise Hedgehog, Estonia’s largest military exercise held May 12-16, 2025, brought together over 16,000 troops from 12 NATO nations – including the United States and Maryland National Guard – to focus on interoperability and realistic warfighting scenarios. The Maryland National Guard has a long-standing partnership with Estonia through the State Partnership Program, dating back to 1993, and played a key role in the exercise by providing fire support expertise and strengthening relationships with Estonian forces. Participants emphasized the value of building these multinational connections for enhanced readiness and collective defense, highlighting the program’s success in fostering trust and cooperation among allies.

June 13, 2025

Task Force Iron celebrates Day of the Restoration of Latvian Independence with NATO Allies

TALSI, LATVIA — On May 4th, 2025, U.S. Army soldiers from the 1st Armored Division and 3rd Infantry Division participated in Latvia’s annual military parade celebrating the Restoration of Latvian Independence. The event, held in Talsi, included a parade with soldiers from Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, and a flyover featuring U.S. UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters alongside Latvian and Canadian aircraft. There was also a public display of military equipment, like the M109 Paladin howitzer, allowing for interaction between soldiers and the Latvian public. The participation highlights the strong relationship between the U.S., NATO, and Latvia, and demonstrates a commitment to interoperability and regional security through joint training and exercises under Task Force Iron. Soldiers expressed the importance of connecting with the Latvian people and culture during this significant national holiday.

U.S. service members and other attendees explore the new exhibit titled “Message Follows” following its opening at the Latvian War Museum in Riga, Latvia, April 11, 2025. The exhibit showcases video interviews, uniforms, equipment, and personal belongings of U.S. Army soldiers who served alongside Latvian troops during the War in Afghanistan. The U.S.-Latvia military partnership, which began in 1993, continues today with the presence of V Corps, the U.S. Army’s only forward-deployed corps in Europe. The enduring presence of V Corps enables continuity and readiness in an ever-evolving environment while supporting the NATO mission. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rachel Hall)

June 9, 2025

Latvian War Museum launches exhibit commemorating U.S. and Latvian military partnership

RIGA, Latvia — U.S. and Latvian service members, diplomats and other guests gathered at the Latvian War Museum for the opening of a new exhibit, “Message Follows,” which commemorates the 32-year history of the U.S.-Latvia military partnership on April 11, 2025.

Sgt. 1st Class Taylor Prohammer, noncommissioned officer in charge of the V Corps Color Guard, stands in formation during the Allied Ceremony at the Eisenhower Statue in Bayeux, France, June 5, 2025. The event highlighted the enduring strength of multinational military cooperation forged on D-Day and carried forward through modern Allied partnerships. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tyler Brock)

June 9, 2025

Proud to Serve: V Corps Color Guard at the 81st D-Day Commemoration

NORMADY, France — The V Corps Color Guard, led by Sgt 1st Class Taylor Prohammer, played a significant role in the 81st anniversary of D-Day commemorations in Normandy. As the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, also known as NCOIC, Prohammer brought a personal sense of pride and dedication to the event, one rooted in both family history and a deeper understanding of service.

Soldiers from V Corps' Best Squad, assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, render honors during a ceremony at the Eisenhower Monument near the Father Maternowski Memorial in Amfreville, France, June 7, 2025. The ceremony commemorated the 81st anniversary of D-Day and honored Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s enduring legacy of leadership, unity, and sacrifice. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tyler Brock)

June 7, 2025

V Corps Commander Honors Eisenhower’s Legacy at Amfreville Ceremony

AMFREVILLE, France — U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general of V Corps, delivered remarks Saturday at the Eisenhower Monument near the Father Maternowski Memorial in Amfreville, France, June 7, 2025, honoring the legacy of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Allied forces whose courage shaped the course of World War II.

French service members stand in formation as C-130 Hercules aircraft fly overhead during a D-Day commemorative ceremony near Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, June 6, 2025. The event marked the 81st anniversary of the Allied landings and honored the enduring partnership between France and the United States. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tyler Brock)

June 6, 2025

Omaha Beach Signal Monument Ceremony

OMAHA BEACH, France — Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general of V Corps, delivered remarks Friday, June 6th, 2025, at the Signal Monument near Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, commemorating the Soldiers who landed there during the D-Day invasion and honoring V Corps’ enduring role in the fight for European freedom.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general of V Corps, speaks beneath a statue of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in Sainte-Mère-Église, France, June 2, 2025. The statue, unveiled in 2024, honors Eisenhower’s legacy and symbolizes Allied unity. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tyler Brock)

June 3, 2025

Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, delivers remarks at ceremony honoring Gen. Eisenhower

SAINTE-MÈRE-ÉGLISE, France — Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general of V Corps, delivered remarks Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at a ceremony honoring Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in one of the first French towns liberated by Allied forces during World War II.

U.S. Soldiers Pfc. Elesban Ruiz, Pfc. Keagan Boston, Staff Sgt. Caleb Rawlings, Sgt. David Conrad, Spc. Devin Schallert, assigned to 2nd Cavalry Regiment, participate in the V Corps Best Squad Competition (BSC) to test their tactical proficiency, communication, and overall cohesion as they compete for the title of Best Squad at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, May 11-16, 2025. Winners of this competition will advance to represent V Corps to compete in the United States Europe and Africa BSC in August. This competition tests the squad's proficiency in their warrior tasks and battle drills and identifies the most cohesive, highly trained, disciplined, and fit team that is ready to fight and win, while demonstrating commitment to the Army Values and Warrior Ethos. (U.S. Army graphic by Pfc. Brent Lee)

June 2, 2025

V Corps Crowns is 2025 Best Squad

GRAFENWÖHR TRAINING AREA, Germany — From May 11-15, 2025, V Corps held its annual Best Squad Competition at Grafenwöhr Training Area in Germany. Six teams from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, and 12th Combat Aviation Brigade competed in a rigorous 120-hour test of both mental and physical endurance, including land navigation, weapons ranges, the Army Combat Fitness Test, and a ruck march. Team 3 from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment – Staff Sgt. Caleb Rawlings, Sgt. Conrad David, Spc. Devin Schallert, Pfc. Elesban Ruiz, and Pfc. Keagan Boston – won the competition, marking the regiment’s fourth consecutive victory. Pfc. Elesban Ruiz was also named V Corps Soldier of the Year. The competition, modeled after the USAREUR-AF Best Squad Competition, is designed to strengthen teamwork and prepare Soldiers for higher-level challenges. It replaced the older "Best Warrior" competition to emphasize a team-based approach to warfare. The winning squad will now represent V Corps at the USAREUR-AF competition in August 2025. They attribute their success to strong bonds and regular team-building exercises.

U.S. Army M1 Abrams belonging to 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, wait in position in the area of operations to assist in the platoon situational training exercise at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, May 2, 2025. 1st Armored Division, a rotational force supporting V Corps, uses platoon situational training exercises to improve readiness and work alongside NATO Allies to enforce regional security as a combat-credible force. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Rayonne Bissant)

May 23, 2025

4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment Conducts Platoon STX

Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria — From April 28 - May 2, 2025, U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division conducted platoon-level situational training exercises (STX) at Novo Selo Training Area in Bulgaria. These exercises focused on honing combat skills like raids, ambushes, and defensive maneuvers, preparing them to meet the division’s standards for combat readiness. The training is part of a larger rotational deployment to support V Corps in Europe, building readiness and interoperability with NATO allies. Soldiers emphasized the importance of continuous training to avoid complacency and maintain a high level of proficiency. The STX builds progressively from section-level exercises to platoon and company-level scenarios, culminating in live-fire exercises and potential deployment after qualification at the National Training Center. A key component is the after-action review process, used to identify weaknesses and improve battlefield effectiveness.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, set up the Howitzer M119A3 during their Table V certifications at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania, May 1, 2025. This training exercise serves as a way to improve standard operating procedures, which overall increases the warfighting capabilities of U.S. Soldiers allowing them to deploy, engage, and destroy enemies of the United States of America on any battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nathan Arellano Tlaczani)

May 19, 2025

Staying Ready: 1-320th FAR Conducts Table V Certifications In Romania

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania — U.S. Army’s 1-320th Field Artillery Regiment in Romania recently completed Table V Certifications on May 1, 2025, for their M119A3 Howitzers. This rigorous process – involving 27 tasks and 354 sub-tasks – ensures each artillery section is proficient, safe, and ready for combat. The certification is considered foundational to the unit’s effectiveness, as artillery provides critical long-range fire support to other troops. Leaders emphasized the importance of this training not only for readiness but also for safety, preventing potential harm to both friendly forces and civilians. The training also provides valuable experience for Soldiers, many of whom are experiencing international deployment and working with foreign nationals for the first time, strengthening NATO’s presence on its eastern flank. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain a highly capable and motivated force prepared to defend against aggression.