NATO’s annual US-led Baltops exercise, involving 49 ships and some 60 aircraft from 17 Alliance and Partnership for Peace countries, got underway in the Baltic Sea late last week, officials announced. “This exercise represents an important opportunity for our forces, as allies and partners, to enhance our ability to work together and strengthen capabilities required to maintain regional security,” US 6th Fleet and Striking and Support Forces NATO Commander Vice Adm. James Foggo said in a June 4 release. B-52s flying from the Continental US will take part in repelling an assault-landing scenario in Sweden, as part of the maritime-focused exercise that runs Jun. 5-20. KC-135s from RAF Mildenhall, UK, are staging from Poland, to support the exercise, which is one of several taking place in the region in June. Exercise Noble Jump in Poland will mark the first deployment of NATO’s new Quick Reaction Force, according to officials. Air Force F-16s are also currently training there.
Space Force’s Top Guardians Share Their Stories
Feb. 27, 2026
Winners of the Space Force’s fourth annual, service-wide Polaris Awards had the chance to discuss the actions that led to their awards from the main stage here at AFA’s Warfare Symposium on Feb. 24, in a panel discussion moderated by Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna.