Northern Strike military exercise trains thousands in Michigan

More than 9,000 service members from 36 U.S. states and territories, along with five international participants, are participating in Northern Strike 26-2 in northern Michigan. Recognized as one of the largest reserve-component military readiness exercises in the United States, this summer's iteration is reportedly the largest in the program's history since its inception in 2012.

Brig. Gen. Ravindra Wagh of the Michigan National Guard stated that training is increasingly influenced by global conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine. The exercise utilizes over 200,000 acres of land, the Great Lakes, and integrated air, space, and cyber capabilities to prepare troops for rapidly evolving battlefield conditions.

The exercise facilitates coordination between different military branches and international allies, including service members from the United Kingdom. Training includes live-fire missions with Paladin howitzers and logistical support exercises conducted by units such as the 445th Quartermaster Company.