U.S. European Command Concludes Exercise Series

U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) concluded its 2019 Joint Exercise Program (JEP) Sept. 30 with exercise Saber Junction's closing ceremony at Grafenwoehr and Hohnenfels Training Area in Germany.

The 2019 JEP consisted of multiple USEUCOM-led exercises in Europe between May and September 2019. Among the exercises conducted this year were Immediate Response, Astral Knight, Saber Guardian, Sea Breeze, Agile Spirit, Northern Challenge and Saber Junction, which took place in Bulgaria,
Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Romania, Slovenia and Ukraine. Each of these exercises brought together NATO allies and partners to enhance interoperability across borders and deter adversaries. 

2019 was the first year that exercises in Southern and Eastern Europe were executed as part of a series with common themes.  The Southern exercise series focused on building partner nation relationships, interoperability, increasing joint readiness and logistics. 

Most USEUCOM exercises are planned and executed by its component commands, U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Marine Forces Europe and U.S. Air Forces Europe, to enhance U.S. readiness to accomplish any mission required while fulfilling NATO treaty obligations. Additionally, the
exercises improved U.S. military capabilities and enhanced coordination and synchronization with interagency partners. The coordination and synchronization gained from the 2019 exercise program
will contribute toward a larger 2020 exercise series, which includes the Northern exercise series.