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.

Matt Wall, Chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn, gives a speech during a ceremony unveiling Estonia's newly received M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) at Amari Air Base, Estonia, April 30, 2025. Originally approved for sale to Estonia in 2022 by the U.S. State Department, the HIMARS gives precise long-range artillery capabilities to enhance national security and regional stability. U.S. Soldiers, supporting Task Force Voit, have trained Estonian soldiers on operating the system prior to the delivery. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Austin Steinborn)

May 16, 2025

Forging Firepower: U.S. and Estonia Unite with HIMARS

AMARI AIR BASE, Estonia — On April 30, 2025, Estonia officially received six U.S.-made HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems), significantly boosting its long-range defense capabilities. This delivery is the result of years of preparation, training with U.S. forces (specifically Task Force Voit and V Corps through the EHI initiative), and a commitment from both Estonia and the U.S. to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. Leaders from both countries emphasized the importance of this partnership for deterrence and collective defense. Estonia plans to begin using the HIMARS this summer and is increasing its defense spending. The U.S. training has been so effective that Estonian soldiers are prepared to operate the systems almost immediately upon receiving them.

U.S. Army Soldiers representing different staff sections within V Corps review intelligence reports as Col. Kevin Jackson, V Corps Chief of Staff, left, briefs strategies and operations May 13, 2025, at Camp Kościuszko, Poland. The primary mission of V Corps is to conduct operational planning, mission command, and oversight of rotational forces in Europe. It also provides additional capabilities in support of allies and partners in the region, such as deterring aggression on NATO’s Eastern Flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Devin Klecan)

May 16, 2025

V Corps Conducts CPX 1 in support of Swift Response 25

POZNAN, Poland — U.S. Army V Corps completed a Command Post Exercise (CPX1) from May 6-15th as part of the multinational Swift Response 25, a large-scale exercise involving forces from ten nations across five European countries, to prepare for the Warfighter 2026 exercise next spring. The exercise focused on enhancing interoperability with NATO allies, integrating new technologies like the Maven Smart System, and simulating both real-world and large-scale combat operations to strengthen deterrence and readiness on NATO’s Eastern Flank, aligning with the broader DEFENDER 25 initiative and V Corps’ mission of operational planning and regional support.

U.S. Army soldiers with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, and the Spanish Armed Forces work together to replace the engine on a U.S. M88A2 Hercules Armored Recovery Vehicle at Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 14, 2025. The Spanish Armed Forces assisted the U.S. with a Leopard 2ER Buffalo tracked recovery vehicle and a crane to replace an engine of an M88A2. V Corps and NATO Allies deter adversaries by demonstrating a combat-credible force through multinational training and exercises. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rachel Hall)

May 12, 2025

NATO Allies Flex U.S. and Spanish Recovery Capabilities

CAMP ADAZI, Latvia — U.S. Army soldiers with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, and the Spanish Armed Forces worked together to replace the engine on a U.S. M88 Hercules Armored Recovery Vehicle on April 14, 2025.

A U.S. AH-64 Apache fires missiles at targets during a training mission at Camp Ādaži, Latvia, May 02, 2025. Four AH-64 Apaches from the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, flew to a training area at Camp Adazi to demonstrate the aircraft’s precision and lethality to distinguished guests attending the training event. The U.S. remains committed to the NATO alliance and our Latvian allies. Latvia’s investment in its defense and cooperation with the U.S. strengthens deterrence and security along NATO’s eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Rose Di Trolio)

May 9, 2025

U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches roar through Latvia demonstrating lethality

CAMP ADAZI, Latvia — On May 2, 2025, U.S. Army Apache helicopters and NATO forces (from Canada, Italy, and Latvia) conducted a successful live-fire exercise in Latvia. The exercise focused on strengthening cooperation and communication between the Apache crews and NATO Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) – who provide crucial targeting information from the ground.

Italian Army OR-8 Eduard Raduna (left,) Canadian Army Capt. Chelsea Stephen (center,) U.S. Army Capt. Mark Fisher, commander of Bravo company, 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, in support of Task Force Iron, discusses events during Verboom in Ādaži, Latvia, March 18, 2025. Exercise Verboom is a multinational training exercise with the goal of enhancing soldiers from varying nations interoperability and effectiveness on the removal of anti-personnel obstacles. Task Force Iron's mission is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent to increase lethality, while strengthening partnerships with our NATO allies and regional security partners. The task force provides combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s only forward-deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevor Wilson)

May 5, 2025

Strengthening battle readiness: U.S. Soldiers participate in multinational engineering exercise Verboom

ADAZI, Latvia — U.S. Army soldiers from Bravo Company, 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, in support of Task Force Iron, joined other multinational soldiers from Albania, Canada, Czechia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain, and the United Kingdom for NATO exercise Verboom in Adazi, Latvia, March 14-21, 2025.

Estonian soldiers drive multiple M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) off the airfield at Amari Air Base, Estonia, April 29, 2025. In 2022, the U.S. State Department approved HIMARS sales to Estonia, which have now been received. Their arrival will give Estonia precise long-range artillery capabilities to strike deep behind enemy lines. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Jaidyn Moore)

May 2, 2025

Forging Firepower: U.S. and Estonia Unite with HIMARS

AMARI AIR BASE, Estonia — On April 30, 2025, Estonia officially received six U.S.-made HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems), significantly boosting its long-range defense capabilities. This delivery is the result of years of preparation, training with U.S. forces (specifically Task Force Voit and V Corps through the EHI initiative), and a commitment from both Estonia and the U.S. to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank. Leaders from both countries emphasized the importance of this partnership for deterrence and defense, with Estonia planning to quickly begin using the systems and increasing its defense spending. The U.S. provided extensive training, enabling Estonian soldiers to operate the HIMARS effectively almost immediately upon delivery. This is seen as a pivotal moment for Estonia, the Baltics, and NATO as a whole.

Members of the V Corps Command Team and senior staff members stand together for a group photo with senior leaders from the 1st Armored Division and various supporting units during the Spring Senior Leaders Forum, April 25, 2025, Camp Kościuszko, Poland. Over the course of two learning days, senior leaders used the opportunity to discuss talking points such as crisis response, interoperability, and sustaining over distance. As the forum concluded, leaders were ready to further bolster their unit’s readiness within Victory Corps’ area of operations across Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Devin Klecan)

May 1, 2025

V Corps Hosts Senior Leader Forum in Poland

POZNAN, Poland — From April 23-25, V Corps hosted a senior leader forum at Camp Kościuszko in Poland, bringing together Army leaders from across Europe. The forum focused on preparing for large-scale combat operations, specifically to deter aggression and secure NATO’s Eastern Flank. Key discussion topics included intelligence, modernization, challenges on the Eastern Flank, and improving warfighting capabilities. Speakers like General Donahue emphasized the importance of combat readiness and interoperability. The overall goal was to strengthen unit readiness and reinforce the U.S. Army's commitment to its NATO allies. V Corps’ main role in Poland is operational planning and overseeing forces in the region.