NATO has launched its biggest ever special forces exercise in Europe, a 10-day operation spanning 10 nations from the Mediterranean Sea through the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea. The exercise, currently underway in Greece, involves soldiers from multiple NATO members as well as non-NATO partners such as Switzerland.
The scenario involves responding to up to 100 enemy forces that have infiltrated an area, posing threats through sabotage and cyber attacks. Participating soldiers must assess the scale of the threat and determine whether it represents the beginning of a larger invasion. American and Greek special forces were observed conducting parachute drops and maritime insertion operations off the coast of Athens.
American special forces make up approximately one third of the forces deployed in the exercise, underscoring the continued US commitment to European security even as European allies seek to bolster their own defence capabilities. The exercise comes amid growing concerns about the possibility of reduced American military support under President Trump's administration.
Senior NATO commanders expressed confidence in the alliance's readiness, stating that the exercise provides a unique opportunity for allied forces to train together, strengthen together, and ultimately be prepared to fight together if called upon. The scale and geographic spread of the exercise reflect NATO's evolving strategic posture in response to multiple security challenges across the European theatre.
This article was prepared by AVALW News editorial based on monitoring Sky News live broadcast (detected at 02:29 UTC on 19 May 2026). The original segment can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDvsBbKfLPA&t=7742s