View allAll Photos Tagged Interoperability
A Romanian air force paratrooper lands on a dropzone at Boboc Air Base, Romania, Aug. 23, 2018. The paratrooper jumped out of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft as part of Carpathian Summer 2018, a bilateral training exercise designed to enhance interoperability and readiness of forces by conducting combined air operations with the Romanian air force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devin Boyer) www.dividshub.net
An A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 104th Fighter Squadron flies near a KC-135 Stratotanker at the start of Saber Strike after departing from Amari Air Base, Estonia on June 3, 2013. The KC-1345 provided aerial refueling to A-10C s assigned to the 104th Fighter Squadron during the exercise with the Estonian Air Force and Maryland Air National Guard. Saber Strike 2013 is a multinational exercise involving approximately 2,000 personnel from 14 countries and is designed to improve NATO interoperability and strengthen the relationships between military forces of the U.S., Estonia and other participating nations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hughes)
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force moves to his next firing position while conducting immediate-action drills with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)
Infantrymen of the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, reach their destination in M1A2 System Enhancement Package Version 2 and Bradley fighting vehicles, on Tapa Army Base, Nov. 11. The infantrymen were on their way to the field for nine days to conduct joint training exercises with Estonian soldiers, as well as showcase their skills and allow Estonian officers and noncommissioned officers to experience firing a M1A2 SEP V2. These activities are part of the U.S. Army Europe-led Operation Atlantic Resolve land force assurance training taking place across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to enhance multinational interoperability, strengthen relationships among allied militaries, contribute to regional stability and demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO. (U.S. Army photo by: Sgt Caitlyn Byrne, 10th Press Camp Headquarters)
U.S. Army Europe Soldiers, assigned to 2nd Cavalry Regiment, move their Stryker vehicle into a fighting position during Saber Junction 2012 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Oct. 25. The U.S. Army Europe's exercise Saber Junction trains U.S. personnel and 1800 multinational partners from 18 nations ensuring multinational interoperability and an agile, ready coalition force.
(U.S. Army Europe photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/released)
U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, train with soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 8, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anna K. Albrecht/Released)
Gunnery Sgt. Dragos Coca engages targets during a desert survival and tactics course. Coca is a platoon sergeant with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Elements of the 15th MEU trained with the 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment in Djibouti from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7 in order to improve interoperability between the MEU and the French military.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve H. Lopez/Released)
Bulgarian Soldier Pvt. Hristo Todorov takes cover behind a vehicle while engaging opposing forces. As part of Exercise Saber Junction 14, Bulgarian soldiers attacked and cleared a village against opposing forces of 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment Soldiers Aug. 30 at Hohenfels Training Area. Exercise Saber Junction 2014 includes participants from the U.S., NATO allies and European security partners, conducting unified land operations at the 7th Army's Joint Multinational Training Command's Hohenfels Training Area. The exercise trains units in the simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations while improving international interoperability, commitment to NATO and allied nations and strategic access to critical areas within the European Command's area of responsibility. More information about Saber Junction 2014 can be found at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction/ (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina Dion/Released)
A German Army Leopard II tank, assigned to 104th Panzer Battalion, scans the battlefield at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center during Saber Junction 2012 in Hohenfels, Germany, Oct. 25. The U.S. Army Europe's exercise Saber Junction trains U.S. personnel and 1800 multinational partners from 18 nations ensuring multinational interoperability and an agile, ready coalition force.
(U.S. Army Europe photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/released)
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force clips vegetation to camouflage his ghillie suit while conducting a stalk exercise with 1st Marine Division Schools during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 11, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)
BASE AERIENNE 188, Djibouti (Sept. 21, 2015) U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the French 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (RIAOM) perform crunches as part of indoctrination prior to participating in a desert survival course. Elements of the 15th MEU are training with the 5th RIAOM in Djibouti in order to improve interoperability between the MEU and the French military. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve H. Lopez/Released)
Twitter: bit.ly/1xr6HiM
Facebook: on.fb.me/1cj34Am
BOHOL SEA (Sept. 16, 2021) An MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to the “Black Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4, conducts flight operations with Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Erin C. Zorich)
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force practice breaching techniques during maritime interoperability training in San Diego Bay Jan. 10, 2015. MIT prepares the MRF for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills and teaching them techniques for boarding vessels. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jamean Berry/Released)
PHILIPPINE SEA (June 4, 2022) Seaman Daniel Aguilar, from Phoenix, stands lookout watch as Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great (DDG-976) sails in formation with Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) following the conclusion of Carrier Strike Group Exercise 2022. Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 and Maritime Task Flotilla (MTF) 7 operated together during this partnership between Republic of Korea Navy and U.S. Navy, as well as provide an opportunity to assure allies and partners of the U.S. commitment to the region and rules-based international order. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Arthur Rosen)
ENOSHIMA, Japan (June 27, 2016) An MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51 and an SH-60K Seahawk, assigned to their sister squadron, Air Development Squadron (VX) 51 of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, perform a formation flight over Kanagawa prefecture. HSM-51 and VX-51, who share more than 30 years as sister squadrons, participated in the formation flight in order to foster greater interoperability between the two services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew C. Duncker/Released) 160627-N-YD204-076
** Interested in following U.S. Pacific Command? Engage and connect with us at www.facebook.com/pacific.command and twitter.com/PacificCommand and www.pacom.mil/
Soldiers of the Hungarian Defense Forces stood watch as Troopers assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, conducted a deliberate water crossing in their M1126 Stryker Combat Vehicles using a bypass bridging site during Dragoon Crossing, a tactical road march starting out at Rose Barracks, Germany and continuing through the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic ending in Hungary on Sept. 17, 2015. The purpose of the exercise is to reassure NATO Allies of the U.S. intent during Operation Atlantic Resolve while demonstrating interoperability and freedom of movement throughout Eastern Europe. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. William A. Tanner/released)
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force fast-rope onto a gas and oil platform from a UH-1Y Venom during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif., Jan. 16, 2015. MIT prepares the MRF for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills, and teaching them techniques for boarding vessels. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Allison Burgos/Released)
Lithuanian army opposing forces faced a fierce defense as they attacked Camp West from Kittensee Village at Hohenfels Training Area Sept. 6. Exercise Saber Junction 2014 includes participants from the U.S., NATO allies and European security partners, conducting unified land operations at the 7th Army's Joint Multinational Training Command's Hohenfels Training Area. The exercise trains units in the simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations while improving international interoperability, commitment to NATO and allied nations and strategic access to critical areas within the European Command's area of responsibility. More information about Saber Junction 2014 can be found at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction/ (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina M. Dion/Released)
An AH-1W Cobra provides air support for a UH-1Y Huey while participating in a close air support mission during exercise Ssang Yong 2014 on April 1, 2014. Exercise Ssang Yong is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to enhance the interoperability of U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Katelyn Hunter/Released).
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Feb. 27, 2023) East-Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) participate in a special operations forces interoperability exercise aboard Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728), Feb. 27, 2023. These operations demonstrate U.S. European Command’s ability to rapidly deploy Special Operations Forces throughout the theater at a time and place of our choosing, and the U.S. commitment to train with Allies and partners to deploy and fight as multinational forces and SOF to meet today’s challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton)
PACIFIC OCEAN (May 29, 2021) Aviation Machinist Mate Airman Dillan Hall, right, from Janesnille, Wis., assigned to the Archangels of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) Airman Julia Ellis, from Dallas, take a fuel sample from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter to on the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America’s (LHA 6) flight deck. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Walter Estrada)
This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:
www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-249
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS: Actions Needed to Better Coordinate Federal Efforts in the National Capital Region
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force practice visit, board, search, and seizure techniques during maritime interoperability training in San Diego Bay Jan. 10, 2015. MIT prepares the MRF for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills and teaching them techniques for boarding vessels. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jamean Berry/Released)
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Davis
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) hosted its second annual C4ISR Senior Leaders Conference Feb. 2-4 at Caserma Ederle, headquarters of U.S. Army Africa, in Vicenza, Italy.
The communications and intelligence community event, hosted by Brig. Gen. Robert Ferrell, AFRICOM C4 director, drew approximately 80 senior leaders from diverse U.S. military and government branches and agencies, as well as representatives of African nations and the African Union.
The conference is a combination of our U.S. AFRICOM C4 systems and intel directorate,” said Ferrell. “We come together annually to bring the team together to work on common goals to work on throughout the year. The team consists of our coalition partners as well as our inter-agency partners, as well as our components and U.S. AFRICOM staff.”
The conference focused on updates from participants, and on assessing the present state and goals of coalition partners in Africa, he said.
“The theme for our conference is ‘Delivering Capabilities to a Joint Information Environment,’ and we see it as a joint and combined team ... working together, side by side, to promote peace and stability there on the African continent,” Ferrell said.
Three goals of this year’s conference were to strengthen the team, assess priorities across the board, and get a better fix on the impact that the establishment of the U.S. Cyber Command will have on all members’ efforts in the future, he said.
“With the stand-up of U.S. Cyber Command, it brings a lot of unique challenges that we as a team need to talk through to ensure that our information is protected at all times,” Ferrell said.
African Union (AU) representatives from four broad geographic regions of Africa attended, which generated a holistic perspective on needs and requirements from across the continent, he said.
“We have members from the African Union headquarters that is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; we have members that are from Uganda; from Zambia; from Ghana; and also from the Congo. What are the gaps, what are the things that we kind of need to assist with as we move forward on our engagements on the African continent?” Ferrell said.
U.S. Army Africa Commander, Maj. Gen. David R. Hogg, welcomed participants as the conference got under way.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be the host for this conference, and we hope that this week you get a whole lot out of it,” said Hogg.
He took the opportunity to address the participants not only as their host, but from the perspective of a customer whose missions depend on the results of their efforts to support commanders in the field.
“When we’re talking about this group of folks that are here — from the joint side, from our African partners, from State, all those folks — it’s about partnership and interoperability. And every commander who’s ever had to fight in a combined environment understands that interoperability is the thing that absolutely slaps you upside the head,” Hogg said.
“We’re in the early stages of the process here of working with the African Union and the other partners, and you have an opportunity to design this from the end state, versus just building a bunch of ‘gunkulators.’ And so, the message is: think about what the end state is supposed to look like and construct the strategy to support the end state.
“Look at where we want to be at and design it that way,” Hogg said.
He also admonished participants to consider the second- and third-order effects of their choices in designing networks.
“With that said, over the next four days, I hope this conference works very well for you. If there’s anything we can do to make your stay better, please let us know,” Hogg said.
Over the following three days, participants engaged in a steady stream of briefings and presentations focused on systems, missions and updates from the field.
Col. Joseph W. Angyal, director of U.S. Army Africa G-6, gave an overview of operations and issues that focused on fundamentals, the emergence of regional accords as a way forward, and the evolution of a joint network enterprise that would serve all interested parties.
“What we’re trying to do is to work regionally. That’s frankly a challenge, but as we stand up the capability, really for the U.S. government, and work through that, we hope to become more regionally focused,” he said.
He referred to Africa Endeavor, an annual, multi-nation communications exercise, as a test bed for the current state of affairs on the continent, and an aid in itself to future development.
“In order to conduct those exercises, to conduct those security and cooperation events, and to meet contingency missions, we really, from the C4ISR perspective, have five big challenges,” Angyal said.
“You heard General Hogg this morning talk about ‘think about the customer’ — you’ve got to allow me to be able to get access to our data; I’ve got to be able to get to the data where and when I need it; you’ve got to be able to protect it; I have to be able to share it; and then finally, the systems have to be able to work together in order to build that coalition.
“One of the reasons General Ferrell is setting up this joint information enterprise, this joint network enterprise . . . it’s almost like trying to bring together disparate companies or corporations: everyone has their own system, they’ve paid for their own infrastructure, and they have their own policy, even though they support the same major company.
“Now multiply that when you bring in different services, multiply that when you bring in different U.S. government agencies, and then put a layer on top of that with the international partners, and there are lots of policies that are standing in our way.”
The main issue is not a question of technology, he said.
“The boxes are the same — a Cisco router is a Cisco router; Microsoft Exchange server is the same all over the world — but it’s the way that we employ them, and it’s the policies that we apply to it, that really stops us from interoperating, and that’s the challenge we hope to work through with the joint network enterprise.
“And I think that through things like Africa Endeavor and through the joint enterprise network, we’re looking at knocking down some of those policy walls, but at the end of the day they are ours to knock down. Bill Gates did not design a system to work only for the Army or for the Navy — it works for everyone,” Angyal said.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Searyoh, director general of Defense Information Communication Systems, General Headquarters, Ghana Armed Forces, agreed that coordinating policy is fundamental to improving communications with all its implications for a host of operations and missions.
“One would expect that in these modern times there is some kind of mutual engagement, and to build that engagement to be strong, there must be some kind of element of trust. … We have to build some kind of trust to be able to move forward,” said Searyoh.
“Some people may be living in silos of the past, but in the current engagement we need to tell people that we are there with no hidden agenda, no negative hidden agenda, but for the common good of all of us.
“We say that we are in the information age, and I’ve been saying something: that our response should not be optional, but it must be a must, because if you don’t join now, you are going to be left behind.
“So what do we do? We have to get our house in order.
“Why do I say so? We used to operate like this before the information age; now in the information age, how do we operate?
“So, we have to get our house in order and see whether we are aligning ourselves with way things should work now. So, our challenge is to come up with a strategy, see how best we can reorganize our structures, to be able to deliver communications-information systems support for the Ghana Armed Forces,” he said.
Searyoh related that his organization has already accomplished one part of erecting the necessary foundation by establishing an appropriate policy structure.
“What is required now is the implementing level. Currently we have communications on one side, and computers on one side. The lines are blurred — you cannot operate like that, you’ve got to bring them together,” he said.
Building that merged entity to support deployed forces is what he sees as the primary challenge at present.
“Once you get that done you can talk about equipment, you can talk about resources,” Searyoh said. “I look at the current collaboration between the U.S. and the coalition partners taking a new level.”
“The immediate challenges that we have is the interoperability, which I think is one of the things we are also discussing here, interoperability and integration,” said Lt. Col. Kelvin Silomba, African Union-Zambia, Information Technology expert for the Africa Stand-by Force.
“You know that we’ve got five regions in Africa. All these regions, we need to integrate them and bring them together, so the challenge of interoperability in terms of equipment, you know, different tactical equipment that we use, and also in terms of the language barrier — you know, all these regions in Africa you find that they speak different languages — so to bring them together we need to come up with one standard that will make everybody on board and make everybody able to talk to each other,” he said.
“So we have all these challenges. Other than that also, stemming from the background of these African countries, based on the colonization: some of them were French colonized, some of them were British colonized and so on, so you find that when they come up now we’ve adopted some of the procedures based on our former colonial masters, so that is another challenge that is coming on board.”
The partnership with brother African states, with the U.S. government and its military branches, and with other interested collaborators has had a positive influence, said Silomba.
“Oh, it’s great. From the time that I got engaged with U.S. AFRICOM — I started with Africa Endeavor, before I even came to the AU — it is my experience that it is something very, very good.
“I would encourage — I know that there are some member states — I would encourage that all those member states they come on board, all of these regional organizations, that they come on board and support the AFRICOM lead. It is something that is very, very good.
“As for example, the African Union has a lot of support that’s been coming in, technical as well as in terms of knowledge and equipment. So it’s great; it’s good and it’s great,” said Salimba.
Other participant responses to the conference were positive as well.
“The feedback I’ve gotten from every member is that they now know what the red carpet treatment looks like, because USARAF has gone over and above board to make sure the environment, the atmosphere and the actual engagements … are executed to perfection,” said Ferrell. “It’s been very good from a team-building aspect.
“We’ve had very good discussions from members of the African Union, who gave us a very good understanding of the operations that are taking place in the area of Somalia, the challenges with communications, and laid out the gaps and desires of where they see that the U.S. and other coalition partners can kind of improve the capacity there in that area of responsibility.
“We also talked about the AU, as they are expanding their reach to all of the five regions, of how can they have that interoperability and connectivity to each of the regions,” Ferrell said.
“(It’s been) a wealth of knowledge and experts that are here to share in terms of how we can move forward with building capacities and capabilities. Not only for U.S. interests, but more importantly from my perspective, in building capacities and capabilities for our African partners beginning with the Commission at the African Union itself,” said Kevin Warthon, U.S. State Department, peace and security adviser to the African Union.
“I think that General Ferrell has done an absolutely wonderful thing by inviting key African partners to participate in this event so they can share their personal experience from a national, regional and continental perspective,” he said.
Warthon related from his personal experience a vignette of African trust in Providence that he believed carries a pertinent metaphor and message to everyone attending the conference.
“We are not sure what we are going to do tomorrow, but the one thing that I am sure of is that we are able to do something. Don’t know when, don’t know how, but as long as our focus is on our ability to assist and to help to progress a people, that’s really what counts more than anything else,” he said.
“Don’t worry about the timetable; just focus on your ability to make a difference and that’s what that really is all about.
“I see venues such as this as opportunities to make what seems to be the impossible become possible. … This is what this kind of venue does for our African partners.
“We’re doing a wonderful job at building relationships, because that’s where it begins — we have to build relationships to establish trust. That’s why this is so important: building trust through relationships so that we can move forward in the future,” Warthon said.
Conference members took a cultural tour of Venice and visited a traditional winery in the hills above Vicenza before adjourning.
To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil
Official Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/usarmyafrica
Official YouTube video channel: www.youtube.com/usarmyafrica
Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. soldiers, designated as Combined Task Force 50-100th, on their second consecutive day conduct an early morning raid, April 18, to capture Hilltop 142, which was infested with “enemy” role-players. This is one of many scenarios AFP and U.S. forces train to during Exercise Balikatan 2012. The exercise is an annual bilateral event, which benefits both militaries in continuing to build upon their high level of cooperation and interoperability.
Balikatan 2012
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Peter Eustaquio
Date Taken:04.18.2012
Location:FORT MAGSAYSAY, PH
Read more: www.dvidshub.net/image/561909/philippine-us-soldiers-cond...
Soldiers from all nations participating in the Strong Europe Tank Challenge (SETC) pose for a group photo May 08, 2016 at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. The SETC is co-hosted by U.S. Army Europe and the German Bundeswehr May 10-13, 2016. The competition is designed to foster military partnership while promoting NATO interoperability. Seven platoons from six NATO nations are competing in SETC - the first multinational tank challenge at Grafenwoehr in 25 years. For more photos, videos and stories from the Strong Europe Tank Challenge, go to www.eur.army.mil/tankchallenge/ (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/released)
PHILIPPINE SEA (June 4, 2022) An MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to the “Golden Falcons” of helicopter sea combat squadron (HSC) 12, approaches the flight deck of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) during flight operations. Benfold is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Arthur Rosen)
Battle Group Poland Romanian soldiers set up and test their Oerlikon GDF-203 35mm twin cannon anti-aircraft weapon during the Saber Strike 2017, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area near Orzysz, Poland, June 13, 2017. Saber Strike 17 is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational combined forces exercise conducted annually to enhance the NATO alliance throughout the Baltic region and Poland. This year's exercise includes integrated and synchronized deterrence-oriented training designed to improve interoperability and readiness of the 20 participating nations' militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stefan English)
Pvt. Richard Kellogg, a native of Atlanta, assigned to 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, descends during a practice jump over Malemute drop zone, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 24, 2015. Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and U.S. Army paratroopers conducted the practice jump utilizing Royal Australian and U.S. Air Force aircraft as part of Pacific Airlift Rally 2015, a biennial, multilateral tactical military symposium designed to enhance military airlift interoperability and cooperation between nations of the Pacific region for future humanitarian missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alejandro Pena)
Pte. Scott Bridge, a rifleman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Army, provides security as coalition forces pass by following a raid on an improvised explosive device factory at Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, July 27. The raid was the action subsequent to a noncombatant evacuation operation executed by Marines with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and coalition forces at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, July 26. Both operations were conducted as part of interoperability training between coalition forces during the multi-national Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2010.
Battle Group Poland U.S., U.K and 15th Mechanized Brigade Polish tactical vehicles perform river crossing training June 19 in Rukla, Lithuanian as part of the joint training exercise Iron Wolf which is held in conjunction with Saber Strike 17. The exercises include integrated and synchronized deterrence-oriented training designed to improve interoperability and readiness of the militaries of the 20 participating nations throughout the Baltic region and Poland. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kevin Wang/Released)
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Eric Hady (right), an aircraft loadmaster assigned to the 103rd Operations Group, 103rd Airlift Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard and an Italian paratrooper jump master prepare for a jump during an airdrop mission, as part of Exercise Swift Response 22, May 11, 2022, in Pisa, Italy. Swift Response is a U.S. EUCOM scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted, and SETAF-AF led global exercise, focused on Allied Airborne forces' ability to quickly and effectively respond to crisis situations as an interoperable, multi-national team. Swift Response demonstrates U.S. and Allied force projection and high readiness interoperability in support of NATO Connected Force Initiative (CFI). Swift Response consists of Joint Forcible Entries (JFEs) into the Nordic, Baltics, and Balkans, followed by multinational training, and live-fire exercises. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Tamara R. Dabney)
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- A Stryker combat vehicle maneuvers along a tank trail during Saber Junction 2012, Oct. 13. The U.S. Army in Europe's exercise Saber Junction trains U.S. personnel and more than 1800 multinational partners from 18 European nations, ensuring interoperability between forces and an agile, ready coalition force. (U.S. Army Photo by Visual Information Specialist Gertrud Zach)
MANILA, Philippines (Aug. 4, 2021) U.S. Army Maj. Maren Mason, left, a veterinarian, demonstrates how to assess a dog to an Armed Forces of the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency service member during a Pacific Partnership 2021 mission discussion. Pacific Partnership, now in its 16th iteration, brings nations together to prepare during calm periods to effectively respond in times of crisis. Each year, the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joseph R. Vincent/Released)
Soldiers from Slovenia participating in the Strong Europe Tank Challenge (SETC) pose for a group photo May 08, 2016 at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. The SETC is co-hosted by U.S. Army Europe and the German Bundeswehr May 10-13, 2016. The competition is designed to foster military partnership while promoting NATO interoperability. Seven platoons from six NATO nations are competing in SETC - the first multinational tank challenge at Grafenwoehr in 25 years. For more photos, videos and stories from the Strong Europe Tank Challenge, go to www.eur.army.mil/tankchallenge/ (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/released)
Military forces from the U.S., U.K., Lithuania and Poland conduct a convoy movement from Poland to Lithuania to continue the next portion of Saber Strike 2017 near Rukla, Lithuania, June 18, 2017. Saber Strike 17 is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational combined forces exercise conducted annually to enhance the NATO Alliance throughout the Baltic region and Poland. This year's exercise includes integrated and synchronized deterrence-oriented training designed to improve interoperability and readiness of the 20 participating nations' militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stefan English)
Four Apache Gunship aircraft from the Army Air Corps Landed at sunset in the Baltic Sea on HMS Ocean flight deck in preperation for Baltops 2016
BALTOPS 16
BALTOPS is the premier maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea region and one of the largest exercises in northern Europe. In 2016, the aim will be to demonstrate the interoperability of NATO allies and partners and to assure nations of NATO’s commitment to the security and stability of the Baltic Sea region. The latest in a series of annual exercises that have run for over 40 years, BALTOPS 16 also has the core aim of delivering high-end training across the entire spectrum of naval warfare, including AAW, ASuW, ASW and MCM, as well as Amphibious and Maritime Interdiction Operations and exercising against the Asymmetric Threat. NATO (SFN), headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, has led the planning, coordination and execution of the exercise.
Force contributing NATO Nations: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, UK, US. Force contributing NATO Partners: Finland, Sweden. Observer Nation: Singapore.
ARTA TRAINING RANGE, Djibouti (Oct. 7, 2015) U.S. Marine Capt. John Garlasco is awarded the desert commando pin during the desert survival and tactics course pinning ceremony. Garlasco is a platoon commander with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Detachment. Elements of the 15th MEU are training with the 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (RIAOM) in Djibouti from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7 in order to improve interoperability between the MEU and the French military. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve H. Lopez/Released)
U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464, Detachment A, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a logistic resupply mission in a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from the U.S.S. Sacagawea during exercise Ssang Yong 2014 on April 1, 2014. Exercise Ssang Yong is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to enhance the interoperability of U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Chief Warrant Officer Clinton Runyon, MCIPAC Combat Camera/Released)
Soldiers from all nations participating in the Strong Europe Tank Challenge (SETC) inspect each others equiment May 08, 2016 at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. The SETC is co-hosted by U.S. Army Europe and the German Bundeswehr May 10-13, 2016. The competition is designed to foster military partnership while promoting NATO interoperability. Seven platoons from six NATO nations are competing in SETC - the first multinational tank challenge at Grafenwoehr in 25 years. For more photos, videos and stories from the Strong Europe Tank Challenge, go to www.eur.army.mil/tankchallenge/ (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/released).
.
.
.
ARTA TRAINING RANGE, Djibouti (Oct. 6, 2015) U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit provide security during a desert survival and tactics course. Elements of the 15th MEU trained with the 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (RIAOM) in Djibouti from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7 to improve interoperability between the MEU and the French military. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve H. Lopez/Released)
PHILIPPINE SEA (March 13, 2019) Ensign Jerome Stanford plots maneuvers aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69). U.S. Navy warships train together to increase the tactical proficiency, lethality and interoperability of participating units in an Era of Great Power Competition. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rufus Hucks/Released)
INDIAN OCEAN (Aug. 27, 2017) The Indian Navy frigate INS Trikand (F51) practices underway replenishment approaches with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) as part of bilateral interoperability drills following the Pearl Harbor’s visit to Goa, India. The bilateral drills between Pearl Harbor and Trikand were aimed to enhance interoperability between the two navies and emphasize the importance of communications and coordination while operating together at sea. Pearl Harbor, with embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, recently completed a routine port visit to Goa, India to experience the city’s culture and history as part of their scheduled patrol in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Kris Rodriguez/Released)
In order to quickly reengage his target Lance Cpl. Taymullah B. Ameen unloads a round out of his M40 A5 bolt action sniper rifle as a part of an unknown distance qualification range August 18 at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, during Exercise Koolendong 14. The range focused on increasing scout sniper's long range precision firing capabilities. The Marines challenged themselves with the M40 A5, M110 SASS and the M107 SASR. The Marines are with Scout Sniper Platoon, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and are currently deployed in part of the Marine Rotational Force Darwin. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines affords an unprecedented combined training opportunity with our Australian allies, and improves interoperability with our forces. Ameen, a Chicago, Illinois native, is a mortarman assigned with the platoon. (Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman, Jr./ Released)
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force practice visit, board, search, and seizure techniques during maritime interoperability training in San Diego Bay Jan. 10, 2015. MIT prepares the MRF for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills and teaching them techniques for boarding vessels. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jamean Berry/Released)
Picture shows a German Army Leopard 2A6 participating in the Strong Europe Tank Challenge (SETC), May 08, 2016 at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. The SETC is co-hosted by U.S. Army Europe and the German Bundeswehr May 10-13, 2016. The competition is designed to foster military partnership while promoting NATO interoperability. Seven platoons from six NATO nations are competing in SETC - the first multinational tank challenge at Grafenwoehr in 25 years. For more photos, videos and stories from the Strong Europe Tank Challenge, go to www.eur.army.mil/tankchallenge/ (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/released)
151117-N-BB269-035 WATERS SOUTH OF JAPAN (Nov. 17, 2015) Sailors prepare to fire a L131 pencil flare on the starboard bridge-wing of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) during a flare exercise as part of Annual Exercise (AE) 16. Chancellorsville is participating in AE16 to increase interoperability between Japanese and American forces through training in air and sea operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Raymond D. Diaz III/Released)
Battle Group Poland U.S. Soldiers prepare for a tactical movement to the field during Saber Strike 2017, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area near Orzysz, Poland, June 13, 2017. Saber Strike 17 is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational combined forces exercise conducted annually to enhance the NATO alliance throughout the Baltic region and Poland. This year's exercise includes integrated and synchronized deterrence-oriented training designed to improve interoperability and readiness of the 20 participating nations' militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stefan English)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Rymer, 435th Contingency Response Squadron mobile aerial port supervisor, provides training on securing cargo to Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina 2nd Lt. Medina Hodzic, Basic Platoon in Transport commander, Battalion of Logistic Support, Sept. 11, 2019, at Tuzla International Airport, BiH. Silver Arrow is a U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces Europe sponsored training event that supports multinational interoperability and establishes a way-ahead for introducing air coordination and a Media Information Center element - a new capability for Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sarah McClanahan)
U.S. Army Soldiers from Eagle Troop 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, stationed out of Vilseck, Germany, fire an FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile during a live fire field training exercise at Tapa Training Area, Estonia, June 3, 2016. Eagle Troop conducted a six-hour platoon level training lane during their rotation to Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR) to test the Soldiers' strength and endurance. OAR contributes to regional stability through the enhanced land force multi-national training and security cooperation activities taking place in each of the participating countries, strengthens relationships among allied militaries, and improves multi-national interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Steven M. Colvin)