The United Sates’ two-week “Northern Strike” exercise concluded on August 16, with more than 7,500 service members from 36 U.S. states and territories participating, representing all U.S. military branches except the Space Force, along with nine international partners.
This year’s drills placed greater emphasis on maritime operations. Planners have indicated that future exercises will expand further in this direction. One scenario involved delivering supplies to troops stationed on an island, which is different from past scenarios such as resupplying by land in Europe or from large bases in the Middle East.
Michigan has emerged as the top training location for potential large-scale operations in the Asia theater, as its central Great Lakes location replicates an island environment.
At an August 4 briefing, a senior Michigan National Guard official stated that more than 500 Taiwanese soldiers took part in this year’s Northern Strike exercise. Briefing slides showed that Taiwan has been sending troops to participate at least since 2021.
Source: Epoch Times, August 20, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/8/19/n14577051.htm