12th Combat Aviation Brigade participates in Aviation Maneuver Training Exercise Center 26-01
CELLE, Germany -- Amidst freezing temperatures and a snowy backdrop, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade is converging from Katterbach and Wiesbaden Army Airfields to the Aviation Maneuver Training Exercise Center (AMTEC) in Celle, Germany, to participate in AMTEC 26-01.
Bringing a full complement of CH-47F Chinook, UH-60V Black Hawk, and AH-64E Apache helicopters, the exercise incorporates both the 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion “Cougars” and the 2-159th Attack Battalion “Gunslingers.”
12th CAB is supporting a familiar partner at AMTEC 26-01: the 11th Airmobile Brigade (AMB) from the Netherlands. Participation in this exercise is the brigade’s first major step of 2026 toward multilateral exercises like Saber Strike and Saber Junction. As Soldiers in the brigade build their tactical edge, they are also reinforcing the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line, which layers autonomous and manned air, ground, space, and cyber capabilities to defend Europe from modern threats.
12th CAB’s rotary wing support to AMTEC includes both lift and attack assets. The 1-214th GSAB will serve as the headquarters element for this mission, with the attack assets attached to them. This diverse capability allows the brigade to validate NATO doctrine for air assaults, sling loads, and attack aviation support to the ground force commander. The opportunity to refresh and retrain these core competencies prepares the brigade for the increased complexity of larger exercises later this year.
AMTEC, located at the Celle Air Base in Lower Saxony, Germany, is a key German Army (Bundeswehr) facility. It serves as a premier location for aviation training, maneuver exercises, and other major joint army exercises.
“AMTEC 26-01 is a critical milestone in our road to readiness,” said Lt. Col. Azizi Wesmiller, commander of the 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion. “We’re proud to once again train alongside our partners from the 11th AMB as one unified, combat-ready force.”
12th Combat Aviation Brigade provides V Corps with a ready and lethal combat aviation force capable of rapidly projecting combat power across the European and African areas of responsibility in support of designated plans to assure Allies and Partners, deter aggression, and, if necessary, defeat near-peer adversaries.
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