While the U.S. has taken part in previous iterations of the military exercise, this year's U.S. footprint was smaller as allied nations are pressed by the Trump administration to put more into European defense.

The U.S. NATO envoy supports a German general taking command of all allied forces, a job that has been held by an American officer.

The autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) can also be used for mine detection and anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the companies say. Many NATO nations are heavily investing in ASW and the alliance held drills focused on countering submarines in the Baltic Sea this month.

Another senior Pentagon official visited the Powidz Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite recently, underscoring its critical role in

The US administration would like Germany to take command of NATO forces in Europe. U.S. Ambassador to the Alliance Matthew Whitaker said this during the Berlin Security Conference on November 18, he was quoted by The Times. He noted that this is Washington's long-term ambition amid Europe taking greater responsibility for its defense.

Some of America's closest European allies say they're already in a gray zone between peace and war with Russia.

Business Insider observed US, Polish, and Romanian forces learning to use the Merops system, which has been combat-proven in Ukraine.

Leaders and soldiers from the 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade (52d ADA BDE) and the 10th Army Air and Missile