Department-Level Exercise (DLE) Series

Through this series, the Department of the Air Force is preparing to be a stronger, more lethal deterrent force, to provide an advantage against competitors and adversaries across all domains, and to ensure regional stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

The DLE series will incorporate multiple command exercises into one overall threat deterrence scenario, including Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC), Resolute Space, Mobility Guardian, Emerald Warrior and Bamboo Eagle 25-3.

It will also integrate multiple allies and partners in specific component exercises with shared interests. Partner integration is critical to U.S. efforts to ensure regional and global peace and stability and provides a decisive advantage against complex threats.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition 2025

AFN Bavaria

Video by Sgt. Scyrrus Corregidor

Aug. 21, 2025 | 7:01

The U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition is underway at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, from Aug. 19–28, 2025, where squads from across the European theater are competing for a chance to represent USAREUR-AF at the Department of the Army Best Squad Competition for fiscal year 2025. Participants are maneuvering through Expert Infantry and Expert Soldier Badge Lanes (E2B), testing their technical proficiency under stress through simulated combat scenarios, and weapons handling. They also face rugged terrain in the land navigation event, relying on map-reading skills, endurance and teamwork to locate checkpoints across unfamiliar ground. More than a contest of marksmanship and tactics, the competition builds squad cohesion, strengthens leadership and fosters confidence and personal growth in every soldier. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Scyrrus Corregidor) More