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America's Continued Commitment to European Security - Operation Atlantic Resolve

The United States is demonstrating its continued commitment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region in light of the Russian intervention in Ukraine.

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Exercise Platinum Eagle 14

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Shawn Hynes of Black Sea Rotational Force 14 from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, shows Armenian soldiers on how to properly handle an M27 IAR service rifle during exercise Platinum Eagle at Badabag Training Area, Romania, April 29, 2014.

Romania: U.S. Marines conducted a two-part multilateral exercise with their counterparts from Romania, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Macedonia to build partner nation capacity, reinforce relationships in a joint training environment and increase interoperability of allied/partner forces.

Exercise Combined Resolve IV

U.S. Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conduct urban assault training with Albanian infantrymen during exercise Combined Resolve II at the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, May 17, 2014.

Germany: U.S. Army Europe-led multinational exercise at Joint Multinational Training Command's Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr Training Areas.

Exercise Saber Strike

Lithuanian soldiers engage the enemy during a movement to contact as part of Exercise Saber Strike in Adazi, Latvia, June 12, 2013.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia: Long-standing, multilateral, multifaceted U.S. Army Europe-led security cooperation exercise primarily focused on improving the cooperation and capabilities of participating nations for future contingency operations.

Exercise Saber Strike

Lithuanian soldiers engage the enemy during a movement to contact as part of Exercise Saber Strike in Adazi, Latvia, June 12, 2013.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia: Long-standing, multilateral, multifaceted, U.S Army Europe-led security cooperation exercise primarily focused on the three Baltic States.

Exercise Saber Strike

Lithuanian soldiers engage the enemy during a movement to contact as part of Exercise Saber Strike in Adazi, Latvia, June 12, 2013.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia: Long-standing, multilateral, multifaceted, U.S Army Europe-led security cooperation exercise primarily focused on the three Baltic States.

Exercise Summer Shield 14

U.S. Marines breach an obstacle on their way to an objective during a live-fire platoon attack aboard Camp Adazi, Latvia, April 9, 2014. The attack was part of Exercise Summer Shield 14, a combined staff planning exercise and combined arms live-fire maneuver event. The Marine are assigned to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Black Sea Rotational Force 14.

Latvia: U.S. Marines trained as part of the Black Sea Rotational Force with Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Exercise Summer Shield 14 was a combined staff planning exercise and combined arms live-fire maneuver event.

USS Donald Cook

USS Donald Cook (U.S. Navy file photo)

Conducted operations in the Black Sea from April 10-24, 2014, to reassure our allies of the U.S. commitment to the region. This included conducting a port visit in Constanta, Romania, and exercises at sea with the Romanian navy and the USS Taylor, to improve interoperability, increase readiness and enhance relationships in the region.

U.S./Ukraine Bilateral Defense Consultations

Ukraine: Senior DoD leaders regularly meet with their Ukrainian counterparts for substantive discussions on regional security, defense cooperation, and areas for growth in the U.S.-Ukraine defense relationship.

USAF Aviation Detachment Rotation

The 10 Airmen assigned to the Aviation Detatchment on Lask Air Base, Poland, mark the first enduring presence of U.S. military members on Polish soil.

Poland: Three C-130s and 100 airmen trained with Polish airmen at Lask Air Base, Poland for the regularly scheduled aviation detachment rotation.

Requests for Military Assistance

The United States has obligated or notified $52 million in security assistance for Ukraine.

Ukraine: The United States has obligated or notified $52 million in security assistance for Ukraine. In addition to 300,000 meals-ready-to-eat delivered in March, the United States is providing foreign military financing to support Ukraine's armed forces with medical supplies, service member equipment, explosive ordinance disposal equipment and handheld radios. The United States has also allocated cooperative threat reduction funding to support Ukraine's state border guard service with supplies for use in monitoring and securing its borders.

The United States has also allocated cooperative threat reduction funding to support Ukraine's state border guard service with supplies for use in monitoring and securing its borders.

Reforming Defense Institutions

Ukraine: Defense Department strategy and policy experts continue to meet with Ukrainian defense officials in Kyiv to assess specific defense institution building activities and programs. The objective is to shape and establish an enduring program for future U.S. efforts to support the Ukrainian military through subject-matter expert teams and long-term advisors.

Train and Equip Ukraine's National Guard

Ukraine: The Defense and State departments notified the U.S. Congress of the intent to use $19 million in Global Security Contingency Fund authority to train and equip four companies and one tactical headquarters of the Ukrainian national guard as part of efforts to build Ukranian capacity for internal defense. Ukraine's national guard continues to play a direct role in responding to the current crisis, as well as in ensuring Ukraine's internal security. Pending congressional approval, training is anticipated to begin in this year and would take place at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Yavoriv, Ukraine.

USAF Aviation Detachment Augmentation

An F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft takes off from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Dec. 4, 2013. The U.S. military sent 12 F-16 fighter jets and about 300 service members to their Poland in response to the situation in Ukraine.

Poland: The United States deployed F-16s and personnel to Lask Air Base, Poland, to augment the U.S. Air Force aviation detachment training rotation. The deployment is focused on training and interoperability with the Polish air force.

Air-to-Air Refueling Missions in Support of NATO

A KC-135 Stratotanker deployed with the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing in the European theater of operations prepares to refuel a C-17 over the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 29, 2011.

United Kingdom: The United States agreed to fly refueling missions to support NATO airborne early warning aircraft flights over Eastern Europe. The mission began March 16, 2014, and 66 sorties were conducted as of May 30.

NATO Baltic Air Policing

NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission currently consists of four U.S. Air Force F-15s, which were beefed up by an additional six fighters after the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine.

Lithuania, Poland, Estonia: The United States deployed an additional six F-15C Eagles on March 6, 2014, to augment the four F-15Cs already in Lithuania filling a NATO peacetime requirement to have quick-reaction interceptor aircraft ramp-ready for a four-month period. The U.S. rotation began in January. Poland took over the Baltic Air Policing task May 1 with augmentation from the United Kingdom, Denmark and France. Polish and British aircraft will operate from Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania, Danish aircraft from Amari Air Base in Estonia, and French aircraft from Malbork Air Base in Poland.

NATO Baltic Air Policing

NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission currently consists of four U.S. Air Force F-15s, which were beefed up by an additional six fighters after the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine.

Lithuania, Poland, Estonia: The United States deployed an additional six F-15Cs to augment the four F-15Cs already in Lithuania filling a NATO peacetime requirement to have quick-reaction interceptor aircraft ramp-ready for a four-month period, March 6, 2014. The U.S. rotation began in January. Poland took over the Baltic Air Policing task, May 1, with augmentation from the United Kingdom, Denmark and France. Polish and British aircraft will operate from Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania, Danish aircraft from Amari Air Base in Estonia, and French aircraft from Malbork Air Base in Poland.

NATO Baltic Air Policing

NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission currently consists of four U.S. Air Force F-15s, which were beefed up by an additional six fighters after the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine.

Lithuania, Poland, Estonia: The United States deployed an additional six F-15Cs to augment the four F-15Cs already in Lithuania filling a NATO peacetime requirement to have quick-reaction interceptor aircraft ramp-ready for a four-month period, March 6, 2014. The U.S. rotation began in January. Poland took over the Baltic Air Policing task, May 1, with augmentation from the United Kingdom, Denmark and France. Polish and British aircraft will operate from Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania, Danish aircraft from Amari Air Base in Estonia, and French aircraft from Malbork Air Base in Poland.

173rd Airborne Brigade Bilateral Training

Maj. Gen. Richard C. Longo, Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, speaks to U.S. and Estonian Soldiers during a ceremony commemorating new land forces exercises in Estonia, April 28, 2014.

Approximately 150 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne's 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment landed in Estonia April 28, 2014, to conduct an unscheduled bilateral exercise with Estonian troops. U.S. troops are expected to remain on a rotational basis at Paldiski Barracks outside Tallinn through the end of the year.

173rd Airborne Brigade Bilateral Training

Paratroopers from U.S. Army Europe's 173rd Airborne Brigade, arrive on Swidwin Air Base, Poland, April 23, 2014, to begin a training rotation with the Polish army's 6th Airborne Brigade, one of the brigade's sister units.

Poland: About 150 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team landed in Swidwin, Poland, April 23, 2014, to conduct an unscheduled training exercise at the Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area alongside the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade. The training was focused on airborne operations and infantry tactics and techniques.

173rd Airborne Jumps With Canadian Paratroopers Near Krakow

U.S. soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade's 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment jumped alongside Canadian paratroopers from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battalion, May 5, 2014, in Bledowska, Poland. They were joined on the ground by Polish paratroopers for training May 6-9 at the Zagan Training Area in Poland.

173rd Airborne Brigade Bilateral Training

U.S. paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade and their allies in the Lithuanian Mechanized Infantry Brigade mark the opening of Exercise Black Arrow 2014 with a ceremony in Rukla, Lithuania, May 14, 2014.

Lithuania: Approximately 150 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade's 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment landed in Lithuania, April 26, 2014, to conduct an unscheduled bilateral exercise with Lithuanian troops. U.S. troops remained on a rotational basis at Rukla Training Area through the end of the year.

173rd Airborne Brigade Participates With Lithuanian Troops in Exercise Black Arrow

Paratroopers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment are participating with Lithuania's Iron Wolf mechanized brigade in Exercise Black Arrow, May 12-25, 2014. The exercise will include multiple airborne operations.

173rd Airborne Brigade Bilateral Training

Paratroopers from U.S. Army Europe's 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) and Latvian soldiers stand in formation during a ceremony commemorating new exercises in Riga, Latvia, April 24, 2014.

Latvia: About 150 U.S. soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade's 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment landed in Latvia, April 24, 2014, to conduct an unscheduled bilateral exercise with Latvian troops. U.S. troops remained on a rotational basis at Adazi Training Area through the end of the year.

Exercise Spring Storm

U.S. and Estonian Special Operation Forces stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Exercise Spring Storm 2014 in Amari, Estonia, May 6, 2014. Spring Storm is an annual training event and has evolved into the largest field training exercise in the Baltic States.

Estonia: Exercise Spring Storm is an annual training event that has evolved into the largest field training exercise in the Baltic states. In May 2014, about 6,000 troops participated in the exercise, which involved service members from Estonia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Lithuania, Poland, the United States, and Latvia.

Exercise Namejs

Latvian military prepared for biggest exercises in country's history.

Bilateral exercise focused on a variety of military-to-military training that included special operations elements.

Exercise Flaming Sword 14

Servicemembers participate in Flaming Sword 12

Lithuania: About 140 U.S. Special Operations Command Europe personnel and seven European partners (Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden) participated in a multinational exercise in May 2014 to enhance interoperability in the Baltic region and amongst allied special operations forces.

Exercise Flaming Sword 14

Servicemembers participate in Flaming Sword 12

Approximately 140 U.S. Special Operations Command Europe units and seven European partners (Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden) will participate in a multinational exercise to enhance Baltic region and allied special operations forces interoperability from May 18-30, 2014.

Operation Dragoon Ride

Europe: The U.S. Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment Operation Atlantic Resolve training rotation concluded with a capstone event named Operation Dragoon Ride -- an 1,800-kilometer road march that crossed five allied borders between Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany and tested the regiment’s leadership and sustainment capabilities. The exercise demonstrated the freedom of movement that exists within NATO, afforded U.S. soldiers an opportunity to engage with community members along the route, and reinforced U.S. commitment to its NATO partners.

Cavalry Ride

Eastern Europe: Approximately 550 U.S. soldiers and 75 Stryker vehicles from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment trained with allies in Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Training events focused on individual and team tasks that culminated in joint platoon level-events, such as live fires. This was the first Stryker unit and the second brigade-sized element from U.S. Army Europe to deploy to the Baltic nations and Poland in support of the operation.

Exercise Hedgehog

Approximately 66 Airmen and 4 A-10s from the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed to Amari Air Base, Estonia, at the invitation of the Estonian Defense Forces. The 354th FS trained with the Estonian air forces to improve interoperability in allied air operations and train multi-national Close Air Support operations in support of ground combat forces. Also, 150 Army Soldiers from the 173rd IBCT and one tank platoon from the 2nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division participated in the exercise.

BALTOPS 15

Baltics: Seventeen NATO and partner nations are participating in the 43rd iteration of the multinational maritime exercise BALTOPS 2015 in Poland, Sweden, Germany and the Baltic Sea, June 5-20, 2015. About 5,600 ground, maritime, and air forces from participating nations are demonstrating air defense, maritime interdiction, anti-subsurface warfare, and amphibious operations in a joint environment to ensure regional security. BALTOPS is an annual exercise designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability and demonstrate the resolve of allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region. Participating nations include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, United Sates, and the United Kingdom.

Theater Security Package, Netherlands & Bulgaria

Netherlands and Bulgaria: Twelve F-15C Eagles from the 125th Fighter Wing, Florida Air National Guard, Jacksonville, Fla., deployed to Leeuwarden, Netherlands, and Graf Ignatievo, Bulgaria, to conduct training alongside NATO allies.

Theater Security Package, Bulgaria

Twelve U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and approximately 200 airmen from the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron forward deployed as part of the first-ever theater security package to Graf Ignatievo, Bulgaria. The unit conducted training alongside NATO allies to strengthen interoperability.

Exercise Swift Response 15

Exercise Swift Response 15 will be held 18 August - 12 September 2015 in Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and Italy. This is the first iteration of a multinational training event designed around a U.S. Army Brigade-level multinational joint forcible entry or JFE operation involving approximately 3,000 U.S. personnel. The exercise is part of U.S. European Command's Joint Exercise Program designed to enhance joint combined interoperability with allied nations.

Exercise Swift Response 15

Exercise Swift Response 15 will be held 18 August - 12 September 2015 in Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and Italy. This is the first iteration of a multinational training event designed around a U.S. Army Brigade-level multinational joint forcible entry or JFE operation involving approximately 3,000 U.S. personnel. The exercise is part of U.S. European Command's Joint Exercise Program designed to enhance joint combined interoperability with allied nations.

Exercise Swift Response 15

Exercise Swift Response 15 will be held 18 August - 12 September 2015 in Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and Italy. This is the first iteration of a multinational training event designed around a U.S. Army Brigade-level multinational joint forcible entry or JFE operation involving approximately 3,000 U.S. personnel. The exercise is part of U.S. European Command's Joint Exercise Program designed to enhance joint combined interoperability with allied nations.

Exercise Swift Response 15

Exercise Swift Response 15 will be held 18 August - 12 September 2015 in Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and Italy. This is the first iteration of a multinational training event designed around a U.S. Army Brigade-level multinational joint forcible entry or JFE operation involving approximately 3,000 U.S. personnel. The exercise is part of U.S. European Command's Joint Exercise Program designed to enhance joint combined interoperability with allied nations.

Sea Breeze 2015

Maritime forces from 11 nations will begin the U.S.-Ukraine co-hosted multinational maritime exercise Sea Breeze 2015 in Odessa, Ukraine, and the Black Sea, Aug. 31. Sea Breeze, now in its 14th iteration, is an annual exercise held in the Black Sea which seeks to enhance interoperability and strengthen regional security. Participating nations include Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Moldova, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Dragoon Crossing

Eastern Europe: Approximately 500 U.S. Soldiers and 110 Stryker vehicles from the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment trained with allies in Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Training events will include a water crossing with Hungarian forces in cooperation with the 173rd Airborne Brigade just inside the Hungarian border. This was the second Stryker unit and the third brigade-sized element from the U.S. Army Europe to demonstrate the freedom of movement within NATO countries in Eastern Europe.

Dragoon Crossing

Eastern Europe: Approximately 500 U.S. Soldiers and 110 Stryker vehicles from the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment trained with allies in Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Training events will include a water crossing with Hungarian forces in cooperation with the 173rd Airborne Brigade just inside the Hungarian border. This was the second Stryker unit and the third brigade-sized element from the U.S. Army Europe to demonstrate the freedom of movement within NATO countries in Eastern Europe.

Dragoon Crossing

Eastern Europe: Approximately 500 U.S. Soldiers and 110 Stryker vehicles from the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment trained with allies in Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Training events will include a water crossing with Hungarian forces in cooperation with the 173rd Airborne Brigade just inside the Hungarian border. This was the second Stryker unit and the third brigade-sized element from the U.S. Army Europe to demonstrate the freedom of movement within NATO countries in Eastern Europe.

Dragoon Crossing

Eastern Europe: Approximately 500 U.S. Soldiers and 110 Stryker vehicles from the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment trained with allies in Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Training events will include a water crossing with Hungarian forces in cooperation with the 173rd Airborne Brigade just inside the Hungarian border. This was the second Stryker unit and the third brigade-sized element from the U.S. Army Europe to demonstrate the freedom of movement within NATO countries in Eastern Europe.

Exercise Brave Warrior

Exercise Brave Warrior (Sept. 15 - Oct. 30, 2015) is a multinational training exercise that is being held in Hungary. It will include the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The exercise will also include units from the allied nations of Slovakia, Czech, and Hungary. The exercise will begin in mid-September and run through October.

Exercise Brave Warrior

Exercise Brave Warrior (Sept. 15 - Oct. 30, 2015) is a multinational training exercise that is being held in Hungary. It will include the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The exercise will also include units from the allied nations of Slovakia, Czech, and Hungary. The exercise will begin in mid-September and run through October.

Exercise Brave Warrior

Exercise Brave Warrior (Sept. 15 - Oct. 30, 2015) is a multinational training exercise that is being held in Hungary. It will include the 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The exercise will also include units from the allied nations of Slovakia, Czech, and Hungary. The exercise will begin in mid-September and run through October.

Immediate Response 15

Immediate Response 15 (Sept. 9 - Sept. 22, 2015) was a multinational, brigade-level exercise utilizing computer-assisted simulations and field training exercises in Croatia and Slovenia. The exercises included more than 1,400 soldiers from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Immediate Response 15 supported the goal that partner nations are trained and ready to combine forces to ensure unified security across allied nations.

Immediate Response 15

Immediate Response 15 (Sept. 9 - Sept. 22, 2015) was a multinational, brigade-level exercise utilizing computer-assisted simulations and field training exercises in Croatia and Slovenia. The exercises included more than 1,400 soldiers from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Immediate Response 15 supported the goal that partner nations are trained and ready to combine forces to ensure unified security across allied nations.

Trident Juncture 2015

Trident Juncture 2015 (Oct. 3 - Nov. 6, 2015) is the largest NATO exercise since 2002 designed to ensure that NATO allies and partners can work together effectively. The exercise involves the entire NATO Command Structure and is organized in three Host Nations: Italy, Portugal and Spain. The exercise trains NATO's ability to work with international organizations and NGOs to respond to crisis situations.

Trident Juncture 2015

Trident Juncture 2015 (Oct. 3 - Nov. 6, 2015) is the largest NATO exercise since 2002 designed to ensure that NATO allies and partners can work together effectively. The exercise involves the entire NATO Command Structure and is organized in three Host Nations: Italy, Portugal and Spain. The exercise trains NATO's ability to work with international organizations and NGOs to respond to crisis situations.

Trident Juncture 2015

Trident Juncture 2015 (Oct. 3 - Nov. 6, 2015) is the largest NATO exercise since 2002 designed to ensure that NATO allies and partners can work together effectively. The exercise involves the entire NATO Command Structure and is organized in three Host Nations: Italy, Portugal and Spain. The exercise trains NATO's ability to work with international organizations and NGOs to respond to crisis situations.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Operation Bayonet Thrust

Paratroopers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, after five months training in Lithuania during Operation Atlantic Resolve, convoy across nine countries totaling more than 1,500 miles, including, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Croatia, Slovenia, and then Italy. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the U.S. Army contingency response force in Europe and is capable of deploying ready forces to conduct the full range of military operations across the U.S. European, Africa and Central Commands' areas of operations within 18 hours.

Peace Sentinel

U.S. Army Soldiers from 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga., and 1st Battalion 61st Mechanized Brigade from the Bulgarian Land Forces, to complete a series of tactical movements in scenario-based enemy attacks during Exercise Peace Sentinel in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Peace Sentinel kicked off Nov. 20, 2015 and continued through Nov. 25, 2015 and is a joint exercise of Bulgarian and U.S. ground forces aimed to enhance the combat readiness of Allied forces as they work together to build interoperability between the armies.

Exercise Iron Sword 15

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade and Lithuanian Land Forces soldiers from the King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion, conducted airborne operations training during Exercise Iron Sword in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Iron Sword kicked off Nov. 8, 2015 and continued through Nov. 20, 2015, involving more than 2000 soldiers from Canada, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, United Kingdom, and the United States.

LEGEND - Green pin: Army; Silver pin: Navy; Blue pin: Air Force; Purple pin: Joint

Pins represent past, present and ongoing OAR military exercises.

USNS Grapple T-ARS-53 Infographic.

NATO is helping to address the migrant and refugee crisis in the Aegean Sea, and Defense Secretary Ash Carter said during the NATO defense ministers conference this week that the United States soon will be supporting that NATO activity by sending the USNS Grapple to support it.

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About the Secretary

Profile photo of Defense Secretary Ash Carter Ash Carter is the 25th secretary of defense. He previously served as deputy defense secretary and as undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. Carter has received the Defense Department's Distinguished Service Medal five times and the Defense Intelligence Medal. Biography

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Latest Trip

October 2015

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Trip Highlights

  • Defense Secretary Ash Carter departed Washington Oct. 4 for a five-day trip to Europe to attend the NATO Defense Ministerial Conference in Brussels, Belgium and meet with counterparts in Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.
  • Carter met with Spanish leaders in Madrid.
  • He visited U.S. Marines at Morón Airbase, Spain before travelling to Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, to visit U.S. personnel stationed there.
  • Carter visited Rome, where he met with Italian leaders.
  • He attended the NATO Ministerial in Belgium, including sessions on nuclear strategy, the NATO-Georgia Commission, and discussions on how the United States and allies can best respond to threats along the southern flank.
  • Carter traveled to London for discussions with his counterpart on the ongoing Strategic Defense and Security Review.

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