About Arcane Thunder

Arcane Thunder 26 highlights the U.S. Army’s continued refining multi-domain operations and demonstrates how U.S. forces operate alongside NATO Allies and partners to deter adversaries across Europe. The exercise validates the employment and qualification of Multi-Domain Company Teams (MDCTs), integrating cyber, space, electronic warfare, and conventional capabilities to create synchronized multi-domain effects.

Arcane Thunder 26 is a geographically distributed exercise conducted across the United States, Germany, and Poland that links sensors and shooters across domains to enable rapid decision-making and precision effects. The exercise supports NATO regional defense plans and reinforces the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), demonstrating the Alliance’s ability to deter aggression and defend the Euro-Atlantic region.

Through Arcane Thunder 26, U.S. and Allied forces rehearse the integration of kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities to penetrate and disintegrate adversary anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems, enabling freedom of maneuver for the joint force and strengthening NATO’s deterrence posture. 

Arcane Thunder Press Release

 Download Arcane Thunder Press Release

Arcane Thunder Videos

Video by Cpl. Avery Wayland
Download
B-roll: 11th MEU Marines Conduct a Live-Fire DATF Drill Aboard USS Portland
11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
April 3, 2026 | 2:00
U.S. Marines with Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in a defense of the amphibious task force life-fire drill aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) in the Pacific Ocean, April 3, 2026. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations demonstrating the United States’ long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Cpl. Avery Wayland)
More