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Feature: Sword 26

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MDC-E Conducts Micro High Altitude Balloon Training in Baltic Region

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Multi-Domain Command – Europe will conduct a Micro High-Altitude Balloon training event in coordination with NATO Allies and host-nation authorities in early May 2026. The training event is taking place as part of the series of linked exercises called Sword 26.

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Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford speaks at Project Flytrap in Lithuania

May 6, 2026 | 1:10

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford, deputy commanding general of readiness for V Corps, addresses viewers to discuss the purpose and advantages of Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, May 5, 2026. Project Flytrap is a multinational exercise intended to increase cohesive integration among different intelligence, fire and protection systems to combat evolving drone threats. From April 27 to May 31, 2026, U.S. and Allied forces will conduct Project Flytrap as part of a series of linked exercises called Sword 26, including Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response, which transform experimentation into capability. During Project Flytrap, Soldiers integrate counter-unmanned systems, AI-enabled command and control, and live data networks to move faster, decide faster, and fight more effectively across all domains.

Interview: Austrian Army Col. Christoph Bierbamer shares experience during African Lion 2026

May 7, 2026 | 2:04

Austrian Army Col. Christoph Bierbamer, a family medicine physician, speaks about his experience participating in the Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) in Ziguinchor, Senegal, May 6, 2026. Bierbamer discusses his experiences working alongside U.S. and Senegalese medical personnel, highlighting the importance of multinational cooperation and the exchange of medical knowledge in austere environments. Part of African Lion 26 (AL26), this MEDREX is planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and prepares U.S. military health professionals for the challenges of providing care outside of traditional clinical settings. By working alongside African partners, U.S. medical professionals refine their ability to deliver rapid, adaptable, and resource efficient medical care, directly increasing medical readiness for large scale combat operations.

African Lion 2026 (AL26) is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.

Counter-drone crucible: Project Flytrap applies lessons to inform the future of warfare

May 6, 2026 | 0:41

V Corps deputy commanding general of readiness, Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford, speaks at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, May 5, 2026. Project Flytrap directly supports the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative by evaluating scalable counter-drone solutions that can integrate into NATO's existing air defense networks. From April 27 to May 31, 2026, U.S. and Allied forces will conduct Project Flytrap as part of a series of linked exercises, called Sword 26, which transform experimentation into capability.
During Project Flytrap, Soldiers integrate counter-unmanned systems, AI-enabled command and control, and live data networks to move faster, decide faster, and fight more effectively across all domains.

Advanced drone and counter-drone capabilities during Project Flytrap - Sword 26

May 5, 2026 | 0:28

2d Cavalry Regiment Soldiers prepare drones and equipment during Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, May 3, 2026. FlyTrap is a counter-unmanned aerial system exercise designed to integrate emerging technologies and inform future Army requirements and doctrine. From April 27 to May 31, 2026, U.S. and Allied forces will conduct Project FlyTrap as part of a series of linked exercises, Sword 26, including Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response, which transform experimentation into capability. During Project FLYTRAP, Soldiers integrate counter-unmanned systems, AI-enabled command and control, and live data networks to move faster, decide faster, and fight more effectively across all domains.

Project Flytrap puts emerging tech in warfighters’ hands

May 4, 2026 | 0:20

Soldiers assigned to 2nd Cavalry Regiment prepare for the force-on-force iteration of Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, May 2, 2026. Project Flytrap directly supports the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative by evaluating scalable counter-drone solutions that can integrate into NATO's existing air defense networks.

African Lion 26 Innovation Integration

May 5, 2026 | 1:00

U.S. service members utilized and operated variety of emerging technology throughout exercise African Lion across multiple locations in Morocco, April 20 to May 8, 2026. The exercise integrated more than 30 U.S.-based technology vendors to test cost-effective capabilities and use innovation that drives readiness and lethality.

809th MRBC Wet Gap Crossing

May 3, 2026 | 2:02

U.S. Army engineers and Italian Armed Forces soldiers erect two separate improved ribbon bridges for a wet-gap crossing being Traversed by the 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, April 30, 2026 in northern Poland. The wet gap crossing is a tactical friendly forces maneuver performed during Sword 26.

Sword: The Army’s signature exercise in Europe for Warfighting with Allies

U.S. Army Europe and Africa kicked off exercise Sword 26. This series of exercises will run through the end of May 2026 in eight countries across NATO's Eastern Flank, replacing the DEFENDER exercise series.

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2d Cavalry Regiment Convoys to BPTA for Sword 26 participation

May 3, 2026 | 1:18

U.S. Soldiers with 2d Cavalry Regiment conduct convoy operations in support of Sword 26 from Vilseck, Germany, to Bemowo Piskie Training Area (BPTA), Poland, April 27 to April 30, 2026. 1st Lt. Jacob Paullin, 1st Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, discussed the convoy’s mission in Oberlausitz, Germany, April 28, 2026. From April 27 to May 31, 2026, U.S. and Allied forces will exercise the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, demonstrating NATO’s ability to fight and win on the modern battlefield. Nearly 15,000 troops from eleven nations will train across the High North, Baltic region, and Poland. They will execute rapid maneuvers, air defense, counter-drone operations, and cyber defense to validate NATO’s regional defense plans in real time. This series of linked exercises includes Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. The exercises turn investment into capability. Soldiers integrate unmanned systems such as AI-enabled command and control and live data networks to move, decide, and fight more effectively across all domains. Sword 26 demonstrates how U.S. Army Europe and Africa drives transformation at scale while strengthening deterrence. Together with our allies, we are building a unified, lethal force ready to defend NATO territory and respond to any threat.

US Army Reserve Soldiers inprocess participants during African Lion 26

May 5, 2026 | 1:13

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 210th Regional Support Group, 1st Mission Support Command, conduct reception, staging, onward movement and integration (RSOI) operations during African Lion 26 at Southern Zone Headquarters, Agadir, Morocco April 26, 2026. The 210th RSG provided RSOI support, the military process that converts arriving personnel and equipment into combat-ready forces capable of achieving objectives in an area of operations.

Sword 26 Announcement

U.S. and Allied forces will conduct a series of exercises across the High North, Baltic region, and Poland from late April through May 2026, leveraging cutting-edge capabilities to demonstrate credible deterrence in the land domain. Known as Sword 26, this U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF)-led series of multinational exercises will focus on operationalizing NATO’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), highlighting the continued commitment to collective defense and security.

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Interview: US Army Sgt. Caesar Diaz discusses sharpening IED detection, threat mitigation skills during African Lion 26

April 25, 2026 | 1:13

U.S. Army Sgt. Caesar Diaz, an explosive ordnance disposal noncommissioned officer assigned to 71st EOD Group, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, speaks on instructing U.S. Soldiers assigned to 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), during African Lion 26 improvised explosive device detection and disposal training at Camp Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, April 21, 2026. The training built foundational proficiency in detecting, identifying and mitigating IED threats, equipping combat engineers with the awareness and response skills necessary to protect friendly forces and maintain freedom of movement in contested environments.

African Lion 26 begins

April 22, 2026 | 0:44

African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual, joint exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), designed to strengthen interoperability among allies and partners while enhancing readiness for a wide range of operations.

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Roaring into action: African Lion 2026 begins in Tunisia

Military forces from Tunisia, the United States and international partner nations officially inaugurated Exercise African Lion 2026 April 13, 2026. The multinational engagement in Tunisia, scheduled to conclude April 30, serves as a venue for strengthening regional security cooperation and refining the readiness of participating forces in a complex global security environment.

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Are you ready for the European Entry/Exit System?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders. EES will capture biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial image, and other travel information, gradually replacing the current system of passport stamping.

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Why We Serve Together

April 13, 2026 | 0:58

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade, discuss what motivates them to serve the Soldiers around them during training in preparation for Combined Resolve at U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels, Germany, March 24–25, 2026. Their perspectives highlight the importance of teamwork, leadership, and commitment to mission success in a multinational training environment.

Hornet Drone UAS Training in GTA

April 13, 2026 | 1:34

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade operate a one-way attack Hornet drone during a demonstration in the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, March 25, 2026. The demonstration provided leaders with insight into how AI-enabled one-way attack systems operate alongside Army fires formations.

Vision To Victory - Millrinder Innovation Center

March 24, 2026 | 1:00

The 21st Theater Sustainment Command hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony announcing the grand opening of the Millrinder Innovation Center on Panzer Kaserne, Germany, on March 13, 2026. The Millrinder Innovation Center is a 10,000-square-foot facility that allow Soldiers the opportunity to think big and drive effects operationally with various methods of advanced manufacturing.

Eyes on the Sky: Project Flytrap and the cUAS Fight

March 16, 2026 | 1:24

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment conduct counter-unmanned aerial systems training, March 16, 2026. Project Flytrap is a multinational exercise designed to develop and test new tactics and technologies to counter drone threats. The exercise focused on integrating existing counter-UAS systems onto mobile combat platforms and fixed sights onto weapons to provide force protection for maneuver units and ensure V Corps maintains freedom of movement on the modern battlefield.

Digital Shield 2026 Evaluates Emerging Counter-Drone Technologies

March 7, 2026 | 0:57

Capt. Micah Maule, plans officer for the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, discusses the second iteration of Digital Shield 2026 in Estonia on March 5, 2026. Digital Shield brings together NATO service members and civilian defense contractors to showcase new and experimental counter-drone systems in a simulated disruptive environment. The exercise provides additional insight, capabilities, and readiness for countering small unmanned aircraft systems, or sUAS, threats along NATO’s eastern flank.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command Video 2025

Aug. 15, 2025 | 3:28

U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command video showcasing key operations, missions, or initiatives of U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command and highlighting collaborative efforts across Europe, Africa, and NATO partnerships.

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MDC-E Conducts Micro High Altitude Balloon Training in Baltic Region

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