DESCRIPTION

In the event of a crisis, NATO must quickly assemble and deploy forces to defend its Allies by whatever means necessary – land, sea or air. But pulling off this logistical feat requires practice.

NATO Allies conduct a wide range of exercises to test their ability to rapidly deploy troops directly into combat. This year, US Marines and Romanian naval infantry deployed from the Baltic Sea as part of Exercise Baltic Operations 18; US and Polish airborne troops hit the battlefield as part of Exercise Swift Response 18; and US and German Army engineers constructed bridges to cross rivers during Exercise Saber Strike 18. The exercises took place in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Romania.