Led by the U.S. Army’s 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, the exercise focused on rapid HIMARS infiltration, beyond line of sight targeting, and timed strike coordination. The aim was to strengthen interoperability and responsiveness among allied forces.
“Thunderbolt Convergence is about proving that U.S. and NATO allies can fight as one fires force on the battlefield,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Erwin, commander of 3-321 FAR. The event simulated a realistic battlefield scenario where speed and cooperation determine survival.
The operation began with simultaneous HIMARS deployments from separate NATO airfields. One launcher was airlifted to Bardufoss, Norway, while another landed in Germany, with both units executing coordinated strike missions.
The mission in Norway involved target data from a Norwegian F-35 fighter, a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, and Belgian Special Forces troops. This data was relayed through joint digital fire systems to U.S. fire direction centres for action.
“The HIMARS that landed in Bardufoss, Norway received multiple missions utilising different sensor-to-shooter kill chains,” said Erwin. “These involved high frequency and beyond line of sight communications with the Belgian Special Forces Group, Norway’s Joint Fires Support Element, and U.S. Army XVIII Airborne Corps fires.”
U.S. and Belgian communications teams met in Brussels to design the joint fires plan ahead of the exercise. Norwegian air and land targeting data was integrated during rehearsals to ensure seamless coordination.
“We met with the Belgian Special Operations Air-Land Integration communications team in Brussels to design the communications architecture,” Erwin explained. “We spent another two days prior to execution to ensure we were able to receive targeting data coming from Norwegian Air Force and Land Forces elements.”
At Ramstein Air Base, U.S. Army HIMARS crews worked with U.S. Air Force personnel to conduct high-tempo dry-fire drills. HIMARS launchers were rapidly deployed from C-130 aircraft, simulating strike and reposition tactics under pressure.
“HIMARS rapid infiltration exercises allow us to rapidly strike targets almost anywhere in the world and leave before the enemy knows where the strike came from,” Erwin added. This method reflects a modern emphasis on mobility and unpredictability in combat.
Belgian forces played a key role in communications and targeting during the drill. Norwegian observers gained experience by studying HIMARS loading and deployment procedures for future application.
“We’re here to observe how the HIMARS is loaded onto the C-130 so we can better apply that ourselves,” said Senior Sergeant Aleksander Bräthen of Norway’s 335th Squadron. “Working with our partners like this is critical.”
Erwin emphasised that multinational cooperation enhanced the effectiveness of the exercise. “The contributions of the Belgian and Norwegian forces dramatically expanded the training value and strategic impact of this exercise,” he said.
The operation simulated real-world combat conditions where quick response, cross-border coordination, and integrated communications are essential. “Everything now comes down to speed. If you’re slow, you’re a target. If you’re fast, you survive,” Erwin stated.
Beyond military training, Thunderbolt Convergence reinforced the cohesion and capability of NATO’s joint fires community. “This exercise shows the real-world deterrence capabilities of the NATO alliance and the combat readiness of our forces,” said Erwin.
