New Jersey Soldiers participate in Spring Storm 2026
New Jersey Soldiers participate in Spring Storm 2026
By Mark C. Olsen, New Jersey National Guard Public Affairs Office
Four U.S. Army Soldiers with the New Jersey Army National Guard participated in Spring Storm 2026 alongside soldiers from 15 countries May 9-24, 2026.
U.S. Army Maj. Jesse E. Nagle, Capt. Jennifer L. Wain, Capt. Jonathan D. O’Connor, and Sgt. Sebastian E. Fara, all with the 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, travelled to the Republic of Estonia as part of Military Reserve Exchange Program 2026 Estonia.
MREP enables Guard and Reserve Soldiers, both officers and noncommissioned officers, to temporarily attach to and train with their selected NATO partner nation. It provides immersive training opportunities that broaden professional development, increase knowledge and interoperability with the selected partner nation reserve forces as well as opportunities to display readiness, share best practices and foster international security cooperation while building and strengthening relationship with allies.
The four New Jersey Soldiers successfully integrated with their host units; they observed foreign battle drills, planning processes, and field training to bring that knowledge and practices home.
“In the early phases of the exercise, I embedded with the Estonian Defense League, who are similar in mission and structure to our Army National Guard,” said Nagle. “With the Regional Command-South staff, I observed their planning and military decision-making processes.”
During Spring Storm execution, Nagle was attached to the 2nd Brigade Fires Cell where he partnered with the brigade fire support officer to integrate, plan, and synchronize all fire support assets and build the brigade fire support plan.
Serving at the Estonian Division Headquarters, Wain participated in force protection, administrative support, and maintaining operational briefing products while observing multinational headquarters operations.
Spring Storm 2026 brings together U.S. and NATO Allied and partner forces in order to train defensive and offensive operations to enhance interoperability and warfighting skills. The exercise is part of Sword 26, U.S. Army Europe and Africa's premier annual exercise series taking place from late April through May 2026 across eight countries.
Fara gained front-line experience serving with an Estonian infantry squad mortar section. “MREP enables Soldiers to train in ways they couldn't back home,” said Fara. “Estonia is preparing for a different war than the U.S.”
Estonia, which is a NATO and European Union member, borders Russia to the east. The majority of Spring Storm 2026 main activities are in south-eastern Estonia.
O’Connor operated as the Artillery Battalionintelligence officer. “I got real world training as an intel officer with NATO Forces and learned how another nation’s artillery battalion operates in comparison to ours,” said O’Connor. “It was also a firsthand lesson on the threat Russia imposes on Europe and its neighbor countries.”
The exercise comprised 12,000 soldiers from Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States. The exercise’s goal is to enhance the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Estonian Defense Force, and its allied units. The primary focuses is on defensive multi-domain operations and integrates various training elements to prepare units for potential confrontations with the Russian Armed Forces.
“Getting to represent my nation and military is a huge responsibility that I do not shy away from,” said Fara. “Sharing knowledge and immersing myself in their culture to foster closer relations was one of my favorite parts of this exchange.”
“The MREP experience was one of the absolute highlights of my 18-year career and one I would highly recommend everyone to apply to,” said Nagle. “It allowed us to build stronger alliances and gain and share knowledge with the Republic of Estonia. This program was beneficial for everyone involved.”
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