MIL Security Engine-1

Source: United States Army

WIESBADEN, Germany — U.S. Army Europe and Africa kicks off exercise Sword 26 today. 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.

Sword 26 will see U.S. and NATO forces conducting operations across eight countries in the High North, the Baltic region and in Poland. The exercise focuses on operationalizing the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, a transformational concept designed for NATO and U.S. forces to execute NATO’s integrated defense plans in the land domain.

“Sword 26 tests our lethality and ability to harness data and AI-enabled warfare at scale to operate with NATO Allies. It’s the application of Army Transformation to fight NATO’s regional plans across all domains in the High North, Baltic region, and Poland,” saidGen. Christopher Donahue,commanding general, U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

The exercise series includes three linked exercises: Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. Each plays a unique role in validating Allied and U.S. land forces to execute NATO’s plans and advance the EFDI concept. Saber Strike focuses on rapid overland deployment in the Baltic region, Immediate Response showcases sustainment and combat power in the High North, and Swift Response demonstrates the deployment of specialized equipment from the U.S. and within the theater.

The DEFENDER exercise, an acronym for Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, focused on the deployment of units from the U.S. into Europe from 2020-2025, testing USAREUR-AF’s ability to receive and integrate forces. Sword shifts the focus to validating NATO’s regional plans and advancing the EFDI. This change reflects the U.S. Army’s emphasis on warfighting, modernization, and readiness, consistent with NATO’s transformational priorities.

For U.S. forces, it’s a platform for integrating cutting-edge capabilities, such as AI-enabled command and control systems, and multi-domain operations.

“Sword 26 allows us to test and train a number of efforts,” said Col. James Egan, USAREUR-AF Director of Training and Exercises. “Our Allies are stepping up to meet NATO’s pledge to invest in formations and capabilities, from setting the network to integrating sensors and unmanned systems, this exercise puts it all together to command and control forces in the field, across the Eastern Flank.”

With approximately 15,500 participants, Sword demonstrates the ability to operate as a unified, lethal force across all domains. As NATO continues to adapt to emerging threats, Sword 26 serves as a powerful example of how the U.S. Army and its Allies are working together to deter adversaries across Europe’s Northern and Eastern flanks.

For more information on Sword and related exercises, go to www.europeafrica.army.mil/SWORD.

Source: United States Army

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii is advancing quality-of-life modernization efforts by improving barracks living conditions as the 25th Infantry Division prepares for an increase in incoming personnel.

To support this shift, the garrison has procured more than 500 new bunks, mattresses, and dressers for single enlisted Soldier housing across Schofield Barracks. This effort represents the initial phase of a broader initiative to modernize living spaces and ensure Soldiers have safe, functional, and comfortable environments.

Crews began offloading the first shipment this week, with distribution and installation expected to begin within days. The new items will be strategically placed across multiple barracks facilities to increase occupancy capacity and standardize living conditions.

“This is about taking care of our Soldiers and investing in readiness,” said Travis Ryusaki, supervisor for the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Housing Division Furnishings Management Office, Directorate of Public Works. “Modern, functional living spaces directly support our Soldiers’ ability to recover, focus, and perform their mission. As we prepare to receive additional personnel, we are ensuring they have the environments they need to remain mission-ready.”

The initiative aligns with Army-wide priorities to strengthen readiness by investing in Soldier well-being. By upgrading barracks infrastructure, leadership aims to provide a standard of living that supports rest, resilience, and daily recovery.

Ryusaki noted that this is the first step in a phased approach to modernize barracks across the installation. Additional improvements are planned as part of ongoing efforts by the Directorate of Public Works to sustain and enhance facilities that directly impact Soldier morale.

These upgrades position Schofield Barracks to better support the 25th Infantry Division while reinforcing the Army’s commitment to putting People First and building ready, resilient formations.

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

AGADIR, Morocco – A combined flight of two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers and four Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons over Cap Draa, signaled the launch of Morocco‘s first accredited joint terminal attack controller qualification course, April 23.

The flyover was a key component of African Lion 26, U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8. Integrating these aircraft into the multinational exercise demonstrated the ability of the U.S. and its partners to project combat-credible airpower worldwide.

Air Force Global Strike Command bombers routinely conduct sorties around the world to include flights required to maintain crew proficiency and qualification.

“Their visible presence over Morocco, operating alongside Royal Moroccan Air Force fighters, signals credible deterrence and reinforces the U.S. commitment to regional security,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commanding general of U.S. Africa Command.

U.S. Strategic Command bomber forces regularly carry out combined theater security cooperation engagements with allies and partners, demonstrating the credibility and flexibility of U.S. forces to address today’s complex, dynamic and unpredictable global security environment.

“The inaugural JTAC qualification course trains Moroccan students to direct combat aircraft, artillery and naval gunfire from forward positions,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Therron Bundick, chief of weapons and tactics for the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron. “These controllers hold the authority to clear airstrikes, ensuring accuracy while avoiding friendly fire and minimizing collateral damage.”

During the exercise, U.S. Air Force JTACs assigned to the 165th ASOS, as well as Detachment 1 of the 2nd ASOS, joined U.S. Marine Corps JTACs with the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company to train alongside service members from Canada, Hungary and Morocco. Live and simulated training events give students realistic close air support scenarios, and the diverse group accelerates the development of a professional JTAC cadre through the exchange of tactics and procedures.

The program marks a significant milestone in the development of the Moroccan joint fires capability and a foundational step toward a standardized, internationally interoperable JTAC capability aligned with modern coalition warfare requirements.

“Morocco’s first JTAC qualification course marks a historic milestone in advancing allied interoperability,” Bundick said. “U.S. involvement ensures a rigorous training environment to establish a lasting foundation for the program’s future.”

Combined live-fire integration also allows U.S. units to test their own tactics alongside trusted partners. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Chevallier, 1st Brigade air officer assigned to 3rd ANGLICO, emphasized that the training allowed both forces to cross-train and leverage each other’s unique operational capabilities.

“Combined live-fire training like this allows us to validate our tactics, techniques and procedures under the trusted scrutiny of an allied force,” Chevallier said. “It reinforces that shared commitment to excellence where, as we say, ‘steel sharpens steel.'”

Chevallier said AL26 has provided a valuable opportunity for the Marines of 3rd ANGLICO and its partners in the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces to learn from each other’s strengths and unique capabilities.

The combined employment of U.S. strategic heavy bombers with Moroccan airpower, paired with the launch of Morocco’s first nationally accredited JTAC qualification course, provides flexible options to assure partners and deter potential adversaries across the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.

About African Lion

African Lion 2026 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 and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.

African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

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