U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, 809th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 15th Engineering Battalion, alongside Polish and Italian Armed Forces conduct a wet gap crossing [Image 4 of 7]

POLAND

04.30.2026

Photo by Pfc. Luis Torres 

U.S. Army V Corps

U.S. Soldiers from 1st Squadron 2d Cavalry Regiment cross a wet gap on an Italian Armed Forces built bridge, on April 30, 2026, Podladkie, Poland. From April 27 to May 31, 2026, U.S. and Allied forces will exercise the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, demonstrating NATO’s ability to fight and win on the modern battlefield. Nearly 15,000 troops from eleven nations will train across the High North, Baltic region, and Poland. They will execute rapid maneuvers, air defense, counter-drone operations, and cyber defense to validate NATO’s regional defense plans in real time. This series of linked exercises includes Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. The exercises turn investment into capability. Soldiers integrate unmanned systems such as AI-enabled command and control and live data networks to move, decide, and fight more effectively across all domains. Sword 26 demonstrates how U.S. Army Europe and Africa drives transformation at scale while strengthening deterrence. Together with our allies, we are building a unified, lethal force ready to defend NATO territory and respond to any threat. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Pfc. Luis Daniel Torres)

• Date Taken: 04.30.2026
• Date Posted: 05.01.2026 13:05
• Photo ID: 9653809
• VIRIN: 260430-A-SR153-1005
• Resolution: 6720x4480
• Size: 5.81 MB
• Location: PL