On December 10, 2025, U.S. Army soldiers from the 407th Civil Affairs Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, partnered with NATO Allies to host a community event for high school students in Pabradė, Lithuania. As part of the NATO Force Integration School Project, the soldiers organized a static display of military equipment and vehicles, allowing students to interact with them and learn about the U.S. Army's role in their country. The engagement was designed to foster a strong community partnership, showcase the U.S. commitment to regional security alongside its allies, and connect with the future generation of Lithuania, reinforcing a shared goal of maintaining safety and freedom in the region.

In December 2025, the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division completed its final live-fire exercise of the year at the Novo Selo Training Area in Bulgaria. This training was the culmination of four months of progression from individual to collective skills, focusing on enhancing the unit's lethality and efficiency. The exercise simulated realistic large-scale combat operations, requiring the mortar platoon to coordinate indirect fire to support infantry units as they breached and cleared trench systems. Soldiers faced and overcame challenges posed by adverse weather and difficult terrain, which stressed the importance of deliberate communication, coordination, and equipment maintenance. This training ultimately strengthens the U.S. commitment to NATO's Eastern Flank by ensuring the unit is adaptable, cohesive, and ready for stressful combat conditions.

In December 2025, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa held a multinational Best Drone Warfighter Competition in Grafenwoehr, Germany, to test and improve unmanned aerial system (UAS) skills among allied forces. Ten teams, including U.S. and European partners, competed in realistic scenarios involving reconnaissance, strike missions, and navigation through difficult terrain and weather. A team from Spain’s Legion Brigade secured first place, demonstrating exceptional readiness and adaptability which they credited to their rigorous daily training rather than specific preparation for the event. The competition highlighted the importance of hands-on, collaborative training in austere environments to drive innovation, refine tactics, and ensure that NATO forces are prepared to integrate advanced drone capabilities for modern warfare.

Military Police in the U.S. Army serve a dual role as both soldiers and law enforcement professionals, responsible for maintaining order and discipline. Their missions are diverse, ranging from protecting senior leaders and conducting criminal investigations to patrolling in various environments and coordinating with allied forces, such as in Latvia during Operation Atlantic Resolve. U.S. Army Spc. Mark Garcia, a Military Police Soldier, highlights the significance of his career through experiences like the Best Squad Competition, which tested his squad's physical and mental capabilities. He emphasizes that the role of an MP extends beyond enforcement to include being a standard-bearer, building community, and fostering communication. Working with NATO partners has been a particularly rewarding aspect of his deployment, enhancing interoperability and reinforcing the collective commitment to regional stability. Garcia advises those considering a career as an MP to be open-minded and adaptable, as the experience itself provides invaluable lessons in resilience and personal growth.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.