MIKKELI, Finland –
A team of Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers participated alongside members of the Finnish Defense Forces in Exercise Steadfast Duel, a NATO multi-domain command post exercise, Oct. 6 -15, 2026, in Mikkeli, Finland.
The NATO exercise brought together about 8,000 military and civilian participants from the United States and Europe, with all 32 allied nations represented. The VNG contingent worked alongside allies from France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Virginia and Finland have been formally paired in the State Partnership program since 2024.
According to the VNG’s Maj. Charles Cavender, this state partnership engagement was executed as a comprehensive Army-level battle group command post exercise nested within the broader framework of the operation to strengthen allied interoperability and synchronize multinational command and control.
“Throughout the high-intensity exercise, the combined forces utilized advanced simulation systems to focus on multidomain command and control by streamlining communication and staff synchronization across international boundaries,” said Cavender. “The training scenarios placed a significant emphasis on tactical integration, specifically focusing on the deployment of unmanned systems and adapting to modern electronic warfare threats, while simultaneously aligning tactical execution, intelligence assessments and combat service support workflows.”
Cavender, who was joined by the VNG’s Maj. Gabriela Brantmier, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Steve Jones and Capt. Nicholas Gurganious, said the VNG team served as key planners, observers and trainers, sharing critical U.S. Army tactics, techniques, and procedures while gaining invaluable insights into Finnish defense strategies and northern European operational concepts.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb visited the exercise, observing the training and meeting with participants.
“President Stubb’s visit highlighted the strategic importance of the bilateral collaboration and the critical role that multinational exercises play in regional security,” said Cavender. “Participation in Operation Steadfast Duel continues to underscore the robust and growing relationship between the Virginia National Guard and the Finnish Defense Forces through the State Partnership Program. By training together in Mikkeli, both forces enhance their readiness to operate as a seamless, unified coalition in defense of shared regional security interests.”
The Virginia National Guard established a formal partnership with Finland in May 2024 as part of the U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Program. The partnership was initiated to combine air operations and interoperability defense including defense against cyber threats, information and intelligence operations, combined land forces capability, military assistance and support for disaster operations, and special operations training.
Read more about the VNG’s partnership with Finland here>>.