NATO Begins Major Decades Military Exercise

NATO began its largest military exercise Wednesday since the Cold War period and an American battleship fled the United States to cross the Atlantic towards alliance territory in Europe.

The Western military alliance has said about 900,000 forces will participate in the monthly exercise, dubbed “StandfastDefender 2024” (“Setupback 2024”). The training operation aims to test NATO protection as Russia's war in Ukraine continues.

“Alance will demonstrate its ability to reinforce the Euro-Atlantic arena through the transatlantic movement of forces from North America”, said General Christopher Cavoli, NATO's supreme commander in Europe.

“Steadfast Defender 2024 will be a clear demonstration of our unity, power and determination to protect each other, our values and international order based on”, General Cavoli said.

The exercise is designed as a simulation of the 31-nation member alliance's response to an attack by a rival country like Russia.

The exercise will consist of a series of smaller maneuvers that will extend from North America and to the eastern NATO wing, near the border with Russia.

About 50 battleships, 80 planes, and over 1,100 ground war vehicles are expected to take part.

This is the biggest exercise since 1988, when training was held “Reforger” during the Cold War. It comes at a moment when NATO has transformed its defence since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine in 2022.

The alliance has sent thousands of military forces to its eastern flank and has prepared the most extensive plans since the collapse of the Soviet Union to be protected by a Russian attack. / VOA