Thousands of service members from across the United States and internationally are participating in one of the nation's largest reserve-component military readiness exercises, Northern Strike 26-2.
The exercise, which is being held for the second time this summer, involves more than 9,000 participants from 36 states and territories, as well as five international partners. It began in 2012 and is held twice a year, with this summer's iteration being the largest since its inception. The event takes place on over 200,000 acres of land in northern Michigan, providing troops access to the Great Lakes, air, space, and cyber capabilities.
According to Brigadier General Ravindra Wagh of the Michigan National Guard, lessons emerging from conflicts around the world are shaping how troops train. He cited the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and other global hotspots as examples of the changing nature of modern warfare. "You see what's happening globally with some of our other emerging conflicts," he said. "And I think that this is a place where you can test and innovate."
The exercise brings together different military branches and international forces to practice operating alongside one another, allowing troops to train in scenarios they may face in real-world combat. Wagh emphasized the importance of training with allies and partners, saying "We want our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines to see it here. Figure it out here."
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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