Exercise JOINT RESOLVE 2026 transitioned to an Execution Phase following completion of the Operational Planning Phase on Friday 15th May. Following a brief pause in the exercise over the weekend, during which the exercise participants took the opportunity to visit cultural sites and museums in and around Helsinki, the exercise was re-set in preparation for the execution phase. The exercise area was reconfigured to produce a replica of a typical Joint Headquarters staff, with the Training Audience (TA) now introduced to and facing some operational dilemmas and challenges as a result of hostile actions undertaken by the Adversary in the Baltic Sea Region. During the last week, Exercise Control presented the TA with a wide range of complex situations and scenarios to be addressed by the Joint Headquarters at the operational level, working in close concert with Strategic and Tactical actors across all domains and spheres of influence.

A wide range of additional specialists were drawn in to support the second part of the exercise, including representatives from Belgium and Sweden; Joint Force Command Brunssum; 1st German-Netherlands Corps; Multinational Medical Coordination Centre – Europe; the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence; and the Estonian Academy of Security Services.  

Exercise JOINT RESOLVE 2026 hosted Distinguished Visitors' Day – 21 May 2026

The Finnish National Defence University organised and hosted a Distinguished Visitors' Day (DVD) on Wednesday 21st May to showcase the three Professional Military Educational Institutions and to receive an overview of the exercise concept and construct.

The distinguished visitors were welcomed by Brigadier General Jaro Kesanen, the Rector of the Finnish National Defence University, and the co-hosts of the exercise, Colonel Toomas Möls, Director of the Department of Military Studies at the Baltic Defence College; Colonel Tomasz Calkowski, Deputy Dean of the War Studies University; and Colonel Pasi Hirvonen, Vice-Rector of the Finnish National Defence University. After a short reception, the programme commenced with a briefing session where the three institutions introduced their vision, mission, and academic activities. In addition, Colonel Toomas Möls explained the evolution, aim, structure, and objectives of JR26.

Following the briefings, the Distinguished Visitors were afforded the opportunity to visit the exercise area, including the Combined Joint Operations Centre and to observe ongoing Board and Working Group activities or receive individual briefings on specific aspects of the operation. The visitors were also afforded the opportunity to engage with members of the Primary Training Audience and Exercise Control Staff. The varied discussions with the exercise training audience and control staff highlighted potential exercise opportunities in the future.

Combined Joint Staff Exercise JOINT RESOLVE 2026 culminated on Friday 22 May 26 with the successful delivery of two key products, providing an overview to the Commander of the progress of the current operation and an update on future plans. 

This year's edition of the JOINT RESOLVE Exercise includes over 260 participants representing the following nations: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This allows for an enhancement of the respective students’ understanding of the complexities involved in planning combined joint operations along with conducting valuable multicultural activities.