Exercise Joint Warrior 19-1 Concludes

Service members from the U.S. Armed Forces, NATO, and allied nations concluded the United Kingdom-led multinational exercise Joint Warrior 19-1 in Scotland, April 11, 2019.

The exercise involved a range of scenarios, including crisis and conflict simulations such as disputed territory, terrorist activity, and piracy.

Approximately 10,000 military personnel, 35 warships, five submarines, and 59 aircraft and helicopters from 13 countries participated in the joint exercise.

“Getting several dozen warships to talk together, sail together, and operate together is a challenge,” said Lt. Zachary Zarow, operations officer aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64). “In the end, we’re a coherent force working and fighting together.”

The Joint Tactical Exercise planning staff, led by the United Kingdom, simulated a war zone in which a United Nations-sanctioned NATO task force is sent to support and defend a victimized nation, suppress terrorism, and ensure freedom of navigation and unhindered trade in the region.

“Joint Warrior 19-1 was a great opportunity for U.S. Sailors to flex their own resiliency and toughness with the simulated war-time scenarios presented in the exercise,” said Command Master Chief David Marcus, senior enlisted leader aboard Carney. “As a forward-deployed unit, it’s always great to operate with allied nations to ensure interoperability within the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.”

The exercise also provided a full spectrum of real-life training opportunities for damage control. Participating ships encountered simulated damage, which produced interconnected causalities affecting other systems.

“Joint Warrior 19-1 was an excellent opportunity for us to test our warfighting skills and enabled critical refresher training for mission areas throughout the ship,” said Lt. j.g. Matthew Heimer, anti-submarine warfare officer aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78). “These training opportunities [with NATO allies] strengthen our partnerships and ultimately enhance our ability to maintain freedom and stability throughout the European theater.”

Joint Warrior is a series of biannual exercises designed to provide NATO, allied, and partner forces with a unique multi-warfare environment in which to prepare for global operations.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests, security, and stability in Europe and Africa.