US European Command (USEUCOM) began its Europe exercise series on 10 May with the start of joint exercise Immediate Response in Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia. Immediate Response, a freedom of movement exercise, is the first of six, long-planned USEUCOM exercises scheduled to occur in Europe between May and September 2019.  USEUCOM's exercise series brings together NATO allies and partners to enhance interoperability across borders and to deter adversaries.

The goal of the exercise series, referred to as the Joint Exercise Program (JEP), is to "produce trained joint forces ready to enable and execute a full range of military missions," said Major General John Healy, director of USEUCOM's exercises and assessments directorate. "This is in concert with our allies and partners to secure  US national interests, deter Russian aggression and support a Europe that is stable and secure."

The command's exercises are carried out by the combatant command and its components to enhance US readiness to accomplish any mission required while fulfilling NATO treaty obligations. Additionally, the training improves US military capabilities and enhances co-ordination and synchronization with interagency partners. Now through September 2019, six exercises will be hosted by USEUCOM and more than 20 exercises will be hosted by the component commands.

The exercises will take place in Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovenia and the Ukraine.  Across the 51-country area of responsibility, USEUCOM's approximately 70,000 service members and civilians engage with European partners and NATO allies to strengthen regional relationships.

The following is a list of EUCOM-hosted exercises:

10-30 May: Immediate Response occurs in Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia and is focused on combined training with Croatia and Slovenia. It is designed to demonstrate freedom of movement and operational command and control, interoperability, and leverage strategic mobility to respond to an emerging contingency.

4-10 June: Astral Knight occurs in Croatia, Germany, Italy and Slovenia, and is a bi-annual Integrated Air and Missile Defense Capstone Exercise focused on conducting defense of key terrain. Training will involve a combination of flight operations and computer-assisted scenarios.

3-24 June: Saber Guardian occurs in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, and is a multinational brigade level event focusing on defensive operations and interoperability with NATO countries.

1-12 July: Sea Breeze occurs in Ukraine and the western Black Sea, and is a joint US, Ukrainian sponsored maritime field training exercise (FTX) focusing on maritime security in support of the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program.

29 July to 19 August: Agile Spirit occurs in Georgia, and focuses on peacekeeping, support operations and NATO response force operations in response to regional crises.

16-20 September: Northern Challenge occurs in Iceland, and focuses on rendering safe improvised explosive and sabotage devices.  Exercises in the USEUCOM area of responsibility allow USEUCOM's components to strengthen solidarity with allies and partners; increase transparency to build understanding among neighboring countries; and align collective efforts across borders.

"Exercises like Immediate Response are critical to building readiness and interoperability among our forces, strengthening the alliance and promoting security and stability in the Black Sea and Balkan region," said Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander, US Army Europe.

"The level of multinational cooperation demonstrated here at Immediate Response is a credit to our host nations - Croatia and Slovenia - who have hosted this exercise for several years."

Cavoli went on to add that the two countries have been instrumental in growing it from the small command post exercise it began as, to the premier multi-domain logistical and airborne training opportunity it has become.

US European Command is one of two US forward-deployed geographic combatant commands whose area of focus spans across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. The command comprises of approximately 70,000 military and civilian personnel and is responsible for US defence operations, relations with NATO and 51 countries. For more information about US European Command, click here. 

US European Command (USEUCOM) has held a change of command ceremony at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, where US Air Force General Tod D. Wolters assumed command from US Army General Curtis M. Scaparrotti. 

Wolters is the 18th USEUCOM commander and will also serve as the 19th Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO Allied Command Operations. As the USEUCOM commander, Wolters is charged with leading more than 68,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, coast guardsmen, and civilians across the area of responsibility spanning 51 countries and territories.

The change in leadership comes at an important time for the command, which has remained focused on meeting the challenges of a complex and dynamic operating environment. In his remarks, Scaparrotti discussed evolving threats throughout the region during his tenure, emphasizing the command's ability to adapt to an ever-changing landscape.  "We've faced revisionist powers and non-state actors challenging the interests of the United States and our allies and partners in Europe," he noted. "The security environment has become more complex, trans-regional, and certainly more challenging. We have been tested - and proved vigilant, strong, and ready."

According to Scaparrotti, those accomplishments were made possible through the work of talented and tireless leaders throughout the command. He also expressed gratitude to German allies and the continuous support they provide to USEUCOM.

"I want to thank our German hosts, and the special city of Stuttgart. Since 1967, thousands of U.S. service members and their families have called Stuttgart home," said Scaparrotti. "The wonderful experiences they have had here are forever woven into the tapestry of their lives, just as Stuttgart is now a special place for Cindy and me."

Secretary of the Army, Dr. Mark T. Esper, who presided over the event, said the command benefited tremendously while under Scaparrotti's watch, and will continue to thrive under Wolters' leadership.  "For 57 years, EUCOM has been defending freedom, standing bravely alongside a resilient network of like-minded partners and allies," said Esper. "The men and women of this command symbolize America's enduring commitment to Europe, the NATO alliance, and freedom around the world."

Upon taking the helm, Wolters praised Scaparrotti's leadership and impact on the men and women of the command and the mission.   "The guarantee with General Scaparrotti [is] that you're in great hands and you could not be better led," said Wolters. "He is always vigilant, always responsible, always detailed."

Wolters addressed those he now serves alongside, saying: "You've demonstrated a relentless desire to engage and embrace a whole-of-government, whole-of-nation, and whole-of-alliance approach. It has dramatically enhanced our alignment and transparency. We won't relent on building relationships and nurturing trust."

Prior to taking command, Wolters served as Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Commander, US Air Forces Africa; Commander, Allied Air Command, headquartered at Ramstein Air Base; and Director, Joint Air Power Competence Centre, Kalkar, Germany. He was responsible for the air and missile defense of 29 NATO Alliance member nations while commanding US airpower across more than 19 million square miles, to include 104 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, the Arctic, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.   Wolters is a graduate of the Air Force Academy, where he received his commission in 1982.

Wolters is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours in the F-15C, F-22, OV-10, T-38, and A-10 aircraft. He has been assigned to numerous operational, command and staff positions throughout his career.

US European Command is one of two US forward-deployed geographic combatant commands whose area of focus spans across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, and the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. The command is comprised of more than 60,000 military and civilian personnel, and is responsible for U.S. defense operations and relations with NATO and 51 countries. For more information about U.S. European Command, click here.