Thousands of service members are participating in Northern Strike 26-2, a large-scale military readiness exercise in northern Michigan. The exercise, which began in 2012 and is held twice a year, is one of the nation’s largest reserve-component military readiness exercises.

Training for a Changing Battlefield

More than 9,000 participants from 36 states and territories and five international participants are taking part in the exercise. Brig. Gen. Ravindra Wagh of the Michigan National Guard said lessons emerging from conflicts around the world are shaping how troops train.

“You see what’s happening in Ukraine right now. You see what’s happening globally with some of our other emerging conflicts that you see,” Wagh said. “And I think that this is a place where you can test and innovate.”

Preparing for Combat

Preparing for combat involves more than the troops on the front line. Northern Strike also puts the units responsible for keeping them supplied and supported through the same kind of training. This includes the 445th Quartermaster Company, which runs shower and laundry operations.

“Our main goal is to provide, I would say, logistical support and really strengthen the morale of the soldiers that are out there actually doing the big booms in combat,” Company Commander Captain Kelson said.

Technology is also changing the training. Nearly 90 industry partners are participating in Northern Strike, allowing troops to work with developing capabilities before potentially encountering them in conflict.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.