U.S. Army Sgt. Mason Corral with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment watches for enemy activity during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 12, 2023. Soldiers take shifts securing the perimeter to allow fellow Soldiers to continue their mission.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Army Reserve 1st Lt. Jordan Littel, left, a civil affairs team chief from the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, exchanges a flag patch with an officer from the Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Detachment of the Albanian Support Command during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 12, 2023. Saber Junction 23 is designed to build interoperability and cooperation between NATO allies and partners to ensure they can operate as one team across multiple systems.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from August 28 to September 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cav. Regt., a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier with the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion pulls his glove on before mounting an M240B machine gun during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 12, 2023. Soldiers take every precaution possible to prevent injury in training to complete their mission.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Collin George, a civil affairs specialist from the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, watches an oncoming Humvee during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 12, 2023. This type of training scenario promotes regional stability and security, while increasing readiness, strengthening partner capabilities and fostering trust.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from August 28 to September 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cav. Regt., a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

HOHENFELS, Germany — Soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment crammed into blacked-out armored vehicles for a jarring ride through the rough terrain of "the box," the nickname used for the training area at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, or JMRC. Their vehicles and packs were loaded down with combat gear, communication equipment, computers, cables, weapons and more.

The deafening roar of engines drowned out every sound except the crackling of the radio as vehicle commanders and drivers navigated to their positions.

With an unexpected shudder of the vehicle, leaders shouted orders to begin preparing defensive and fighting positions.

Moving into their fighting positions was just the beginning stage of Saber Junction 23, which lasted more than two weeks from Aug. 28 to Sep. 16. The overall mission relied on 16 NATO partner militaries to work together and prove their interoperability in a relentless training environment.

“I think that there is no better environment to cooperate than when you're under the stress of a combat training center,” said Lt. Col. William Murray, the commander of Regimental Engineer Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. “Everyone wants to do well and represent their unit and their nation."

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion of the 4th Infantry Regiment, playing the role of opposition forces, roll through a training village in an M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle – Dragoon during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 13, 2023. U.S. and multinational soldiers play the role of enemy forces during the exercise to provide integrated, total force training for combat readiness.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Army Reserve 1st Lt. Jordan Littel, a U.S. Army civil affairs team chief from the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, communicates with local police during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 12, 2023. By maintaining constant communication, U.S. Soldiers train on enhancing unit stability and security on the battlefield.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and Bosnian chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear soldiers work together to evacuate a simulated casualty during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 12, 2023. Testing their skills in exercises prepares Soldiers to successfully complete missions in real-world situations.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Army Sgt. Juan Aros and Spc. Dylan Jordan, infantrymen with the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, playing the role of opposing forces, discuss the unit’s movement plan during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 12, 2023. U.S. Army Soldiers pose as enemy forces for an integral part of creating real-world simulation to maintain combat readiness.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

The 19-day exercise tested everything from Soldiers’ warfighting and communication skills to their ability to communicate across languages and integrate their battle strategies, all while under the stress of field conditions and little sleep.

Each day and night presented a new set of challenges for the exhausted Soldiers. Opposing Forces, also known as OPFOR, composed primarily of Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, probed for weaknesses to exploit persistently. Italian and Polish soldiers also played a role in simulating enemy forces with ongoing attacks both by tank and by foot.

Troops rapidly dug in, moving across the land to gain their objectives, often dripping with sweat, gritty with sand and dirt while defending positions or gaining ground. Language barriers and varying tactics added to the chaos of war, creating a realistic combat environment.

JMRC provided coaches and trainers to evaluate participating nations, including OPFOR units. This feedback was vital for Soldiers to improve their tactics and communication to maintain the highest level of combat readiness possible.

"Everything is being tested. One of the biggest challenges that I noticed at the very beginning was with communications. We get to see those challenges,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jesus Pulido, an Observer Coach Trainer with JMRC. “They covered down effectively. They didn't allow obstacles to stop them or prevent them from accomplishing their mission."

From one minute to the next, Soldiers taking a break to eat could suddenly and unexpectedly find themselves in a firefight with OPFOR. Gunfire from rifles or mounted machine guns could ring in their ears at any moment. A chemical attack with CS gas might sting their nostrils and burin their eyes, prompting them to don chemical masks in seconds and heavy protective suits in the heat of day.

Armenian medics transport a casualty to safety during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 14, 2023. This type of training scenario promotes readiness while strengthening partner capabilities and fostering trust.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Justin Gerber, an infantry squad leader with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, talks on the radio from the top of a hill known as “Old Baldie” at sunrise during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 15, 2023. U.S. Soldiers have been sleeping and living in the field environment for several weeks while training alongside NATO troops to increase their interoperability operations and enhance their combat readiness.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

A French soldier climbs out of a tank during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 14, 2023. This type of training scenario promotes readiness while strengthening partner capabilities and fostering trust.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, playing the role of opposing forces, prepare for a night mission during Saber Junction 23 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 12, 2023. U.S. Army Soldiers pose as enemy forces for an integral part of creating real-world simulation to maintain combat readiness.

Saber Junction 23 is an annual U.S. Army exercise with NATO allies and partners including 4,000 participants from 16 different countries training together from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2023. The primary training audience for the exercise is the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a U.S. Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team based in Germany. While U.S.-led, this exercise will develop and enhance NATO allies and partners’ interoperability and readiness.

With both permanent and rotational forces in Europe, NATO forces and their partners are better positioned to deter current and potential threats, Murray said.

"As Soldiers of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, we know our job here in Europe is to respond in case something happens,” said Murray, whose unit is stationed in Vilseck, Germany. "We can move anywhere in Europe in about 48 to 72 hours to cover down on any problem that our nation needs to support.”

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