U.S. Soldiers assigned to 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, initiate a simulated firefight while in a M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during Exercise Hedgehog 25 near Camp Reedo, Estonia, May 16, 2025. Exercise Hedgehog 25 is a large-scale international military exercise led by the Estonian Defence Forces, focused on the rapid deployment of allied forces and the enhancement of multinational interoperability. As the designated opposition force, 5-7 CAV challenges participating units with a complex, realistic scenario to strengthen multinational interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Army soldiers with Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment with Task Force Voit, prepare for fire missions for Exercise Hedgehog, the joint training exercise near Võru, Estonia, May 13, 2025. Hedgehog is Estonia's largest military exercise, focusing on the planning and execution of large-scale, multi-domain operations, enhancing the readiness and lethality of NATO and allied partners. V Corps and NATO Allies deter adversaries by demonstrating a combat-credible force through multinational training and exercises. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Rachel Hall)

U.S. Army Spc. Olu Achu, a forward observer with 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery, Detachment 1, Maryland Army National Guard, scans for enemy movement during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 14, 2025. Hedgehog is Estonia's largest military exercise, focusing on planning and executing operations to enhance interoperability and warfighting skills among NATO allies. The State Partnership Program between Maryland Army National Guard and Estonia was established as part of early U.S. outreach to new democracies in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

U.S. Army Spc. Olu Achu, a forward observer (left), Spc. Derrick Hyman, a radio telephone operator, Sgt. Kyle Troyer, a forward observer, with 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery, Detachment 1, Maryland Army National Guard, move through the woods while awaiting air support during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 14, 2025. Hedgehog is Estonia's largest military exercise, focusing on planning and executing operations to enhance interoperability and warfighting skills among NATO allies. The Maryland National Guard’s State Partnership Program maintains partnerships with two countries in Europe: Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) assigned to Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, supporting Task Force Voit, demonstrates HIMARS capabilities for members of the Estonian HIMARS component during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 13, 2025. Exercise Hedgehog, Estonia's largest military exercise, focuses on planning and executing military operations and enhancing interoperability between Estonian and allied forces. V Corps invests in developing the warfighting capabilities of NATO’s national and multinational corps and division forces through realistic scenarios designed to create strategic flexibility.

VÕRU, Estonia – U.S. Army Soldiers with Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Voit; Apache Troop, 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division; and the Maryland Army National Guard, through the State Partnership Program, trained with Estonian and NATO allies during Exercise Hedgehog 25, May 5–23, 2025.

Exercise Hedgehog 25, or Siil 2025 in Estonian, is Estonia's largest annual military exercise. It focuses on planning and executing military operations and enhancing interoperability between Estonian and allied forces.

Ten countries participated in this year’s exercise, including forces from the United Kingdom, France the United States, Canada, Latvia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland and Portugal. Over 16,000 Estonian and allied troops took part to train planning and executing military operations and enhancing interoperability. The U.S. Army participated with M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and fire support teams.

"It is important for us to work with our NATO allies in the field because it improves our interoperability and it allows us to work together to accomplish a common goal." said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jenna Hackman, a support platoon leader with Able Battery.

A U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System assigned to Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment supporting Task Force Voit, engages in a fire mission during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 13, 2025. Exercise Hedgehog, Estonia's largest military exercise, includes over 16,000 Estonian and allied troops training to plan and execute operations that enhance interoperability and readiness across NATO. Long-range artillery, armored tanks, and aircraft are V-Corps’ cornerstone warfighting capabilities that enable the Corps to remain lethal and agile along NATO’s Eastern Flank. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rachel Hall)

A M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, operated by U.S. Soldiers assigned to 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, maneuvers to the next location during Exercise Hedgehog 25 near Camp Reedo, Estonia, May 16, 2025. Exercise Hedgehog 25 is a large-scale international military exercise led by the Estonian Defence Forces, focused on the rapid deployment of allied forces and the enhancement of multinational interoperability. As the designated opposition force, 5-7 CAV challenges participating units with a complex, realistic scenario to strengthen multinational interoperability and readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Austin Steinborn)

U.S. Army Pfc. Nicolus Clark, (left) Pfc. Xavier Morris, (center) and Pfc. Brianna Hewitt, soldiers with Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment with Task Force Voit, prepare for Exercise Hedgehog joint training exercise near Võru, Estonia, May 13, 2025. Exercise Hedgehog, Estonia's largest military exercise, focuses on planning and executing military operations, enhancing interoperability and warfighting skills between Estonian and NATO allied forces. V Corps participates in more than 50 exercises, symposiums, and leader summits each year with Allied and partnered nations committed to build capability and capacity along NATO’s Eastern flank.

U.S. Army soldiers with Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, Task Force Voit, demonstrate loading M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System training ammunition pods onto a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 13, 2025. Various NATO and allied countries, including forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Latvia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, and Portugal, participated in the exercise. Long-range artillery, armored tanks and aircraft are V Corps’ cornerstone warfighting capabilities that enable V Corps to remain lethal and agile along NATO’s Eastern Flank.

U.S. Army Capt. Emma Abusch, commander of Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment supportingTask Force Voit, speaks with Estonian allies during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 13, 2025. Estonian soldiers from their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) unit observed Able Battery’s operations to improve interoperability with U.S. HIMARS units. V Corps participates in more than 50 exercises, symposiums, and leader summits each year with Allied and partnered nations, committed to building capability and capacity along NATO’s Eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rachel Hall)

The HIMARS battery supported the Estonian and NATO allied forces who acted as allied forces, known as BLUFOR, with long-range precision fires. The Bradleys acted as opposing forces, or OPFOR, and the MDARNG participated as both OPFOR and BLUFOR during the exercise that spanned multiple days. The U.S. involvement aided in challenging participating units with a complex, realistic scenario to strengthen multinational interoperability and readiness.

“It’s important working with our NATO allied partners because if you really want to be an effective war-fighter then you need to start developing relationships with your partners.” Said 1st Lt. Russell Meadows, fire support officer in charge with 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery Detachment 1, Maryland Army National Guard

Exercise Hedgehog 2025 showcased the strength and unity of NATO and allied forces through realistic, joint training, emphasizing coordination, adaptability and shared commitment to regional defense. As U.S. Army units integrated with Estonian and partner nation troops, they demonstrated the critical importance of collective readiness in today’s security environment. The collaboration fostered during the exercise not only enhanced military capabilities but also reinforced the enduring bonds between allied nations committed to peace, stability and mutual support.

U.S. Army Sgt. Kyle Troyer, a forward observer (left), and Sgt. Kevin Shipley, a team chief with 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery, Detachment 1, Maryland Army National Guard, plot grid coordinates during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 14, 2025. The State Partnership Program between the Maryland National Guard and Estonia emphasizes civil and military cooperation with civil control of a professional military. Maryland has a key role in this international initiative to foster democracy, encourage market economies and promote regional cooperation and stability. Established in 1993, the Maryland-Estonia partnership serves as a model for future State Partnership Program efforts.

U.S. Army Pfc. Brianna Hewitt, an ammunition specialist with Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment with Task Force Voit, operates the crane on a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 13, 2025. Rapid staging of ammunition and fuel at resupply points for the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System supports sustained, lethal, long-range precision fires against enemy targets. V Corps and NATO Allies deter adversaries by demonstrating a combat-credible force through multinational training and exercises.

A U.S. Army M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System with Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment supporting Task Force Voit, moves into a firing position during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 13, 2025. Hedgehog is Estonia's largest military exercise, includes over 16,000 Estonian and allied troops this year. V Corps and NATO Allies deter adversaries by demonstrating a combat-credible force through multinational training and exercises.

U.S. Army Spc. Olu Achu, a forward observer, with 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery, Detachment 1, Maryland Army National Guard, treks through the woods during exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 14, 2025. The State Partnership Program between the Maryland National Guard and Estonia emphasizes civil and military cooperation with civil oversight of a professional military. Maryland has a key role in this international initiative to foster democracy, encourage market economies and promote regional cooperation and stability. Established in 1993, Maryland’s partnership with Estonia serves as a model for future State Partnership Program relationships.

U.S. Army soldiers with Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment with Task Force Voit, demonstrate how to load training ammunition pods for M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System onto a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck during Exercise Hedgehog near Võru, Estonia, May 13, 2025. During the exercise, Able Battery soldiers cross-trained in various roles to sustain warfighting skills and lethality in any situation. V Corps invests in developing the warfighting capabilities of NATO’s national and multinational corps and division-level readiness through realistic scenarios designed to create strategic flexibility.

“When you get to be a part of helping another nation secure the rights and freedoms that we get to enjoy as Americans is very gratifying.” Said 1st Sgt. Alber Conolley with Able Battery. “To see them want to live free and want to have the same rights and liberties… is very humbling. It is very worthwhile and very fulfilling to help train them.”

V Corps’ participation in exercises like Hedgehog 25 highlights its role in maintaining a lethal and agile force posture along NATO’s eastern flank. By deploying cornerstone warfighting capabilities such as armored vehicles, long-range artillery, and integrated support teams, V Corps enables joint forces to train under realistic, high-stakes scenarios. These efforts improve collective readiness and underscore the Corps’ mission to deter aggression and defend its NATO Allies.

The Maryland National Guard’s enduring partnership with Estonia through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program reflects the broader mission to strengthen global security through trusted, long-term relationships. By training side-by-side with partner nations, the SPP enhances interoperability, builds trust and reinforces the United States’ commitment to shared defense and regional stability.