Combined Resolve prepares Soldiers, NATO allies for modern battlefield

HOHENFELS, Germany - Soldiers from 1st Armored Division participating in Combined Resolve are evaluating combat readiness, integrating emerging capabilities and strengthening interoperability with NATO allies during a multinational training exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.

The exercise, led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, provides a training environment where units test their ability to execute missions, employ new systems, and operate alongside allied forces in a combined-arms environment.

Combined Resolve also allows units to evaluate how effectively their formations work together while adapting to the changing demands of the modern battlefield.

Specialist Harry Clinton, a cavalry scout and Unmanned Aircraft System trainer assigned to the 474th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division, supports the integration of unmanned aircraft systems by helping Soldiers develop the knowledge and skills needed to operate them.

"My job is to help the master trainer get Soldiers licensed to conduct their initial licensing training, make sure they understand their positions and tasks, and know how to utilize them in a combat scenario," Clinton said.

UAS operations require coordination among Soldiers with different specialties. Clinton said drone strike platoons bring together personnel from multiple military occupational specialties to support operational requirements.

"A drone strike platoon consists of your 15 series, your drone operators, your 19 deltas," Clinton said. "We all work together, jointly understanding each other's military occupational specialties and conducting operations based on the needs of the Army."

The integration of unmanned systems reflects the drones' growing role in modern warfare. Training Soldiers to use these capabilities while coordinating with allied forces is a key part of preparing units for future operations.

"So in today's modern battlefield, as we've seen, drones are now part of the biggest thing that goes on in the field," Clinton said. "What we're trying to do is catch up and get ahead of the game of drone operations with our NATO allies."

Through combined arms training and multinational cooperation, Combined Resolve gives participating units a chance to assess their capabilities, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen their ability to operate together.

For Soldiers like Clinton, the exercise offers a chance to develop drone-operating proficiency while contributing to a broader effort to prepare U.S. and allied forces for the demands of the modern battlefield.