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"Sword of Freedom"
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INNOVATION
Innovation in Europe and Africa
Testing counter-unmanned aerial systems technologies during Project Flytrap
Testing drone during Project Flytrap
Working together during Project Flytrap
Test flying drone during Project Flytrap
Soldiers Experiment with High Altitude Balloons
Soldiers Experiment with High Altitude Balloons during Arcane Thunder
Preparing to launch the High Altitude Balloon
Preparing to launch the High Altitude Balloon
Making last minute checks before launching
Preparing to launch the High Altitude Balloon
Checks before launching the High Altitude Balloon
Soldiers Experiment with High Altitude Balloons during Arcane Thunder
Soldiers Experiment with High Altitude Balloons
2nd Multi Domain Task Force Experiment with High Altitude Balloons
173rd Airborne Brigade tests drones for blood supply and material transport
Supervising detonation of a live First Person View
Preparing to operate and detonate a live First Person View
Preparing to operate a live First Person View Drone
173rd Airborne Brigade Builds Internal FPV Drone Lab to Boost Tactical Edge, Cut Costs
Drone Lab to Boost Tactical Edge
Drone Lab
173rd Airborne Brigade Builds Internal FPV Drone Lab
3rd Infantry Division Soldiers operate counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems during Combined Resolve
Connecting tablet to Drone Detector
Working the Drone Detector through tablet
Europe Africa Innovation Videos
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History of the Flaming Spear
97th Air Mobility Wing
Jan. 20, 2017 | 2:20
Since the Mighty 97th began operations just a month after WWII, the flaming spear has been recognized as a symbol of strength and global reach. Within months of formation, the flaming spear was on board the first American heavy bombers, raining destruction on the Nazi forces of occupied Europe. During the war, leaders of the free world, presidents and prime ministers, sat in briefing rooms and wore the spear on their uniforms. Some of the Army Air Forces founding fathers: Eaker, Doolittle, and Spaatz, flew on the missions where the flaming spear came to life in bombs dropped on the enemies of freedom. Even the men who dropped the first atomic bomb once proudly wore the Mighty 97th signature spear.
Following the victory over evil, the flaming spear became a fixture over the American skies, developing a quicker way to refuel aircraft in flight and later the flaming spear maintained a constant presence in the air on the side of nuclear armed bombers, serving as a deterrent to another global conflict. During many missions the sight of the flaming spear on a fuselage of a refueler was a welcome sight to the bomber crew exercising its global strike capabilities.
During the Vietnam conflict, the spear of the 97th came to life again, leading missions over hostile jungles, protecting the lives of those fighting for freedom on the ground and destroying the depots and dens of those attempting to curtail the unalienable rights of life and liberty. As the world evolved, so did the mission of the Mighty 97th. With the Cold War won, and the need for mass bombing over, the flaming spear remained a worldwide image.
Every student pilot, boom operator, and loadmaster who needed to deliver troops, supplies, and humanitarian aid, wherever and whenever the need arose, passed through the gate where the image proudly shines. Yet our heritage is not forgotten or unlearned. When our nation calls, the men and women of the Mighty 97th carry the image of the flaming spear to deployed locations around the world protecting those freedoms Americans hold most dear.
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Latest News On Innovation in Europe and Africa
173rd Airborne Brigade Trains Drone Operators at Grafenwoehr
May 14, 2025
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In a world where paratroopers fall from the sky, one platoon is flipping the script. Forget parachutes. This time, they're learning to fly a little differently.
Led by Chief Andrew Topits, a UAS instructor with 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) , who’s leading the charge—one rotor at a time—throughout the year at Grafenwoehr Training Area. His mission? To make sure Sky Soldiers across every rank know how to operate Unmanned Aerial Systems, or UAS. Yes, that’s Army-speak for “drones.”
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U.S Army Sgt. Jacob Fritz, lead manufacturer, 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, explains his tasks and leadership position in 2MEB's innovation lab, Apr. 2, 2024, on Mainz Kastel TMP Station in Wiesbaden, Germany. The innovation lab was created to find cost-effective and beneficial ways to revolutionize warfighting with techniques such as 3-D printing and soldering.
3ID Drone Validation: CW3 Mesa on Eyes Above the Fight
May 6, 2025
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U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Mesa, 3rd Infantry Division, discusses unmanned aerial systems drone validation during Combined Resolve at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center on Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, May 5, 2025. Combined Resolve is part of the Army’s “Transforming in Contact” initiative, which assesses the effectiveness of electronic warfare and counter-unmanned aerial systems, as well as how force structure changes and current tactics align with emerging technologies.
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Wiesbaden Drone Pilot Learns to Fly
May 1, 2025
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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Aaron Ritzema, commander, 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, 2n Multi-Domain Taskforce, and Spc. Samantha Zaldivar, an unmanned aerial vehicle operator with the Extended Range Sensing and Effects Company of the 2nd MDEB, begin preparations and training for Arcane Thunder 25 on Mainz Kastel Station, Germany, April 15, 2025. The battalion innovation lab added a virtual drone flight simulation to the established mission command software to streamline the reconnaissance process.
Transforming in Contact during Exercise Combined Resolve
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Col. Joshua Glonek, 3rd Brigade 10th Mountain Division Brigade commander discusses how the U.S. Army's Transforming in Contact initiative is shaping how his unit trains and may influence the future of army training during Combined Resolve 25-1, at Hohenfels Training Area, Feb. 1, 2025. During CbR 25-1, TiC utilizes new technologies and systems designed to enhance its warfighting readiness and ability to respond to crisis or conflict.
Next Generation Tactical Vehicle-Hybrid during Combined Resolve
Jan. 22, 2025
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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas Chavez, an air traffic control specialist assigned to 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, describes the features and capabilities of the Amy's new Next Generation Tactical Vehicle-Hybrid prototype during Combined Resolve 25-01 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels Training Area, Hohenfels, Germany, Jan. 14, 2025. The Next Generation Tactical Vehicle-Hybrid (NGTV-H) is a diesel-electric light reconnaissance vehicle. During Combined Resolve 25-1, the U.S. Army is implementing its Transforming in Contact initiative, utilizing new technologies and systems designed to enhance its warfighting readiness and ability to respond to crisis or conflict.
173rd Airborne Brigade hosts inaugural Innovation Symposium
April 1, 2025
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U.S. Army 1st Lt. Francesco La Torre and U.S. Army Warrant Officer Justin Love discuss the 173rd Airborne Brigade's inaugural Innovation Symposium, held March 26-27, 2025 in Vicenza, Italy. The symposium showcased how the 173rd Airborne Brigade supports innovation by enabling bottom-up problem-solving improving warfighter readiness and deploy technology to increase warfighting lethality.
Soldiers demonstrate counter-drone tech in Germany
The U.S. Army showcased several sophisticated systems Soldiers operate to detect and respond to unknown, potentially hostile drones during a demonstration at Joint Multinational Training Center in Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, March 25, 2025.
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Soldiers live fire FPV drones in Germany
Soldiers conducted a live fire of first-person view drones for the first time at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Feb. 17-20, 2025. Although drones have been incorporated into training for years, this event combined FPV drones with live munitions in a series of live fire flights, all within range safety standards. The success is a result of collaboration between U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, 7th Army Training Command, Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine and the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
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Drone Training
March 13, 2025
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Ssg. Gary E. Bowers, assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, describes the multiple uses of the Flying Basket drone at Gasinci training area, Croatia, Mar. 11, 2025.
Wiesbaden Soldiers create solutions in Innovation Lab
April 22, 2025
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U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christian Lehr and Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Baumgartner, the officer and noncommissioned officer in charge of the Innovation Lab of the 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force, spearhead technological advancement on Mainz Kastel Station, Germany, April 7, 2025. The innovation lab creates quick solutions to fill gaps in support during military operations. The innovation lab provides real-time, cost-saving solutions to the Army to increase its capabilities.
Army Drone Innovation Lab represents new model for battlefield adaptation
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U.S. Army Capt. Ronan Sefton, an intelligence officer assigned to 2nd Cavalry Regiment, explaining the creation of 2CR's drone innovation lab and its transformative capabilities and implications for the future of U.S. Army warfare during an interview at Balli Airfield UAS Facility, Vilseck, Germany, April 7, 2025. 2CR's Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Program involves the design, 3D printing, assembling, and testing of custom-built drones, all done exclusively by 2CR Soldiers. This enables the regiment to rapidly respond to changing battlefield conditions and quickly overcome environmental challenges.
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