U.S. Army Europe and Africa, along with Swedish Armed Forces and U.S. Special Operations Command, conducted High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, Rapid Aerial Insertion (HIRAIN) training and a live fire exercise during Nordic Strike 22, Sep. 27, near Vidsel, Sweden. Nordic Strike 22 is designed to increase readiness, lethality, modernization, and interoperability by exercising U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s ability to rapidly deploy long-range precision fires capabilities in coordination with our allies and partners and integrating joint fires in a multinational environment.
HIMARS Rapid Aerial Insertion or HIRAIN are a demonstration of U.S. European Command’s ability to quickly employ long-range precision fires across Europe. Designed for rapid deployment, HIMARS are wheeled missile launcher systems capable of launching multiple guided artillery strikes on long range targets. This missile system is capable of carrying one pod of six guided rockets, or one pod of a larger extended range missile. HIMARS is capable of rolling onto an aircraft, rolling off of an aircraft, and firing within two minutes of landing. The rockets can fire up to 70 km. (approx. 45 miles) while the guided missile can fire up to 270 km. (approx. 170 miles).
U.S. Army Europe and Africa units participating in Nordic Strike 22 included the 2nd Multi-domain Task Force and the 41st Field Artillery Brigade under the command of the 56th Artillery Command. The HIMARS systems and personnel were rapidly deployed from Ramstein Air Base in Germany to Sweden utilizing C-130 aircraft and personnel with the U.S. Air Force’s 352d Special Operations Wing based at RAF Mildenhall, U.K. Nordic Strike 22 is a critical opportunity for U.S. conventional and special operations forces to work together in a joint and combined training environment, enhancing interoperability and lethality.
The 56th Artillery Command was activated in 2021. The 56th Artillery Command is a two-star command of the United States Army with a mission to synchronize, integrate, and control fires and effects in support of the theater land component. The command plans and coordinates the employment of multi-domain fires and effects in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and when designated, a Combined Force Land Component Command. U.S. Army Europe and Africa is the Army service component command for both Europe and Africa. Its forward presence provides the U.S. military with the strategic access vital to missions in both theaters.
