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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eleanor Raffaele, a combat medic with 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, highlights vital medications kept on board for medical evacuations to a Finnish Army rescue team during Exercise Saber Strike at Vousanka Training Area, Finland, May 12, 2026. From April 27 to May 31, 2026 U.S. and Allied forces will exercise NATO’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, demonstrating NATO’s ability to fight and win on the modern battlefield. Nearly 15,000 troops from eleven nations will train across the High North, Baltic region, and Poland, executing rapid maneuvers, air defense, counter-drone operations, and cyber defense to validate NATO’s regional defense plans in real time. This series of linked exercises, including Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response, turns investment into capability. Soldiers integrate unmanned systems, AI-enabled command and control, and live data networks to move faster, decide faster, and fight more effectively across all domains. Sword 26 demonstrates how U.S. Army Europe and Africa drives transformation at scale while strengthening deterrence. Together with our Allies, we are building a unified, lethal force ready to defend NATO territory and respond to any threat. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Derek Combs)
Date Taken:
05.12.2026
Date Posted:
05.12.2026 21:52
Photo ID:
9679557
VIRIN:
260512-A-GG576-1305
Resolution:
6720×4480
Size:
4.22 MB
Location:
FI
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2
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0
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