The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group sails in formation with NATO allied ships during an integrated sailing event during Neptune Strike, July 11, 2023. The ships sailing include the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), French Navy frigate FS Languedoc (D653), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) and Italian guided-missile frigate ITS Carabiniere (F593).
Swedish Jas 39 Gripens escort two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers through Swedish airspace as they make their way to Luleå Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 19, 2023. The bombers landed in Sweden for the first time ever as part of Bomber Task Force Europe 2023-3, a long-planned bomber rotation in support of U.S. European Command and NATO deterrence initiatives. This arrival of strategic bombers in Sweden highlights U.S. and Swedish cooperation and the ability of U.S. forces to seamlessly integrate with Allied and partner nations. (Courtesy photo by Flygvapnet/the Swedish air force)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jose Borda, a CH-47F Chinook crew chief, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division (1AD CAB), supervises as relief supplies are unloaded from his aircraft in Elbistan, Türkiye on Feb. 14, 2023. The 1AD CAB provides dynamic lift capability in direct support of USAID and Turkish relief efforts, to those affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye. Defense and disaster relief activities were just two of the topics covered during annual U.S.-Türkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks held at EUCOM headquarters June 13-15, 2023.
A U.S. Marine assigned to Task Force 61/2, begins to unload humanitarian aid at Serinyol, Türkiye, Feb. 25, 2023. At the request of the Turkish government, U.S. military personnel assigned to Task Force 61/2 and 39th Air Base Wing are tasked with building a field hospital for the citizens who were affected by the Feb. 6 earthquake. Task Force 61/2 (TF 61/2) is operating under U.S. Sixth Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR), and U.S. European Command as part of the International Turkish disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Bourgeois/Released)
Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, Deputy Director for EUCOM’s J5 Strategy, Plans and Capabilities Directorate (left) and Brig. Gen. Tansel Cokuysal, head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Turkish General Staff, (right) led their respective delegations during the annual U.S.-Turkiye Combined Planning Committee (CPC) talks held at EUCOM headquarters June 13-15, 2023.
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander, U.S. European Command, co-hosted the two-day 2023 Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Romanian Gen. Daniel Petrescu, Romanian Chief of Defense Staff, in Bucharest, Romania, from June 8-9, 2023.
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander, U.S. European Command, co-hosted the two-day 2023 Central Europe Chiefs of Defense Conference alongside Romanian Gen. Daniel Petrescu, Romanian Chief of Defense Staff, in Bucharest, Romania, from June 8-9, 2023. During the event, leaders discussed logistics and support to Ukraine, combined operations, and intelligence sharing. It also provided a venue for leaders to strengthen military-to-military relationships toward solving complex, regional challenges.
Exercise Baltic Operations 2023 kicks off in the Baltic Sea
8:22 AM6/5/2023
From left, the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), and Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F 362) depart Tallinn, Estonia, June 4, 2023, to participate in Baltic Operations 2023. BALTOPS 23 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (Courtesy photo by Sgt. Martti Kallas, Estonian Defence Forces)
Exercise Baltic Operations 2023 kicks off in the Baltic Sea
8:05 AM6/5/2023
Nineteen NATO Allies, one NATO partner nation, 50 ships, more than 45 aircraft, and approximately 6,000 personnel kicked off the 52nd iteration of Baltic Operations 2023 in Tallinn, Estonia, June 4, 2023.
Bomber Task Force: Supersonic bombers' low approach flyby shows support to Bosnia Herzegovina.
12:00 AM5/30/2023
U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers returned to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, U.K., on May 23, 2023, for Bomber Task Force Europe 2023-3 to conduct a long-planned bomber rotation in support of U.S. European Command and NATO deterrence initiatives. Part of that mission included a low approach flyby over Sarajevo on May 30, 2023.
Bomber Task Force Europe operations are routinely conducted across the European continent, showcasing the Air Force's unique ability to rapidly field and deploy strategic forces at any time.
Members of a U.S. Army Special Operations Joint Terminal Attack Controller team demonstrate to U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael Murphy how the JTACs communicate with B1-B Lancers during a training bomber support mission flyover near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on May 30, 2023. The mission, as part of Bomber Task Force 23-3, ensures the U.S. and its Allies are ready and postured to deter threats and respond to aggression if needed. (DoD photo by Adnan Bujak, U.S. Embassy Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Arctic Challenge 2023: U.S. joins coalition for largest Nordic exercise
12:00 AM5/29/2023
A Norwegian F-35 Lightning II receives fuel from a MAINEiac KC-135 Stratotanker above the Arctic Circle, May 29, 2023. The crews are taking part in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2023, a live fly exercise that serves to advance arctic security initiatives and enhance interoperability in the increasingly dynamic and contested region.
