Saber Junction 26: Sky Soldiers train for modern conflict in Europe’s premier crucible event
HOHENFELS, Germany — More than 2,300 Paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, along with over 2,100 Allied and partner forces from ten nations, have begun Exercise Saber Junction 26 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center. Overseen by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF‑AF), the rotation is designed to validate warfighting readiness, strengthen NATO interoperability, and prepare forces for large‑scale combat operations across the European theater.
Saber Junction 26 tests the brigade’s ability to rapidly deploy, conduct joint forcible entry, execute offensive and defensive operations, and regenerate combat power in a contested environment. The exercise incorporates lessons learned from ongoing conflicts, including electronic warfare, unmanned aerial systems, dispersed maneuver, and contested communications. SETAF‑AF serves as the division‑level higher command for the rotation, integrating U.S. and Allied formations, issuing division orders, maintaining the common operating picture, and rehearsing mission command essential for operations across both Europe and Africa.
“Saber Junction is where our Soldiers and our Allies prove they are ready for the demands of modern war,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Matthew W. Brown, commander of Southern European Task Force, Africa. “This rotation is a crucible event—designed to expose gaps, accelerate learning, and ensure that formations are trained and lethal. The 173rd continues to demonstrate that disciplined application of the fundamentals, ground-up innovation, and persistence remain the hallmarks of a combat‑credible force. The Brigade is ready – and the lessons we gather here help our Army scale innovation at pace and strengthen NATO’s collective readiness.”
The rotation also highlights modernization efforts within the 173rd Airborne Brigade, including the work of the Bayonet Innovation Team (BIT), the brigade’s internal innovation cell composed of paratroopers, engineers, warrant officers, and technical specialists. BIT designs, builds, and fields low‑cost, high‑impact technologies such as FPV drones, ISR platforms, ground robots, and AI‑enabled tools. The team operates a facility capable of producing drones in house and integrates lessons from Ukraine, JMRC rotations, and multinational exercises to help the brigade adapt rapidly and strengthen NATO interoperability.
“Our standards are non-negotiable: disciplined, lethal and relentless. Saber Junction is where we put those expectations to the test,” said U.S. Army Col. Mark E. Bush, commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. “This exercise validates our ability to deploy at the time of need, fight and succeed regardless of the mission environment or enemy capability and posture the brigade for future operations. Through the character, competence and commitment of our Sky Soldiers, we will deliver overwhelming firepower, maneuver aggressively and accomplish the mission alongside our Allies.”
Saber Junction 26 includes participants from Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, and the United States. The exercise strengthens multinational interoperability and accelerates combined decision‑making across the European theater.
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