Over 7,000 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers converged at Fort McCoy this August for Global Strike 2025, a large-scale training operation designed to prepare troops for future combat scenarios. The exercise, part of the annual Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX), simulates real-world battlefield conditions to sharpen unit readiness and coordination.

From engineers and military police to chemical, aviation, and logistics units, soldiers engaged in rigorous drills that included nighttime combat simulations, heavy equipment operations, and live-fire exercises. One standout moment saw troops from the 844th Engineer Battalion respond to a surprise attack in complete darkness—testing their ability to adapt under pressure.

Brigadier General Sandra Martin, deputy commander of the 412th Theater Engineer Command, led the training oversight. “We spent a year planning this,” she said. “Our goal is to challenge these units with realistic scenarios that reflect today’s evolving threats.”

Among the participants was Pvt. Samantha Lawton, who manned a mounted M240B machine gun on a Humvee, showcasing the tactical edge and determination of the Army Reserve.

Global Strike 2025 not only reinforces combat skills but also strengthens the Army Reserve’s ability to deploy rapidly and effectively in any global conflict.