The operation is the largest NATO exercise planned for this year, and with it, European NATO partners aim to show what they can do on their own. General Gerhartz called the exercise a “great and important signal” that nations from southern Europe can deploy to Central Europe in the case of a crisis. Within NATO, the American military is not only the biggest member, it is also unquestionably the leader. Regardless of the viability of this operation, which will run through February, European military leaders acknowledge that any real NATO action needs significant support from American partners, especially if the fighting starts. The post NATO Is Having a Military Exercise.