A 10-day U.S. Army combat training exercise took place in Germany, involving Blackhawk Company from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. The unit trained at the Hohenfels military training area, where Ukrainian forces from the 412th Regiment, known as the Nemesis, supported opposing forces. During the initial operations, the Ukrainians used aerial systems to monitor American troop movements across the training range. American soldiers noted they did not have access to counter-drone equipment they would have preferred during the exercise. To adapt, the U.S. soldiers changed how they occupied positions, moved vehicles, and concealed themselves from aerial observation. Bradley fighting vehicles were driven under dense vegetation, and troops used steep terrain and difficult routes to reduce visibility from above. The company also analyzed its movements from an aerial perspective, adjusting routines that might have made them easier to detect by enemy operators. Despite these efforts, American vehicles, including Bradleys and tanks, were destroyed during simulated combat scenarios, and some crews were counted as losses. However, the company commander, Capt. Allan Watson, argued that these outcomes did not indicate that armored vehicles were no longer effective in modern combat. He emphasized that armored vehicles still offered mobility, protection, and the ability to navigate difficult terrain during operations. Watson noted that while drones could detect American forces, exploiting that information still required ground-level personnel. This meant that conventional reconnaissance remained important even with advanced aerial surveillance. On the sixth day of the exercise, Blackhawk Company shifted from defensive to offensive operations, and the Ukrainian unit later operated alongside American troops. Watson said the soldiers grew more confident as they adapted to conditions that challenged their previous assumptions about combat. The Ukrainian participants also shared techniques for using low-cost drones over long distances and integrating battlefield observation with quick responses. Watson praised the Ukrainians for demonstrating expertise in the "sensor-to-shooter" kill chain, which connects surveillance with immediate engagement. He concluded that technology alone does not determine battlefield outcomes, as human decisions remain crucial in combat. For Watson, the main takeaway was not that drones had replaced armored units, but that military units must adjust their tactics when aerial surveillance becomes a constant factor. This is not the first time Ukrainian drone teams have surprised U.S. forces during training exercises. In a previous exercise in Germany, U.S. troops were defeated so quickly that officials allowed them to re-enter the scenario. These exercises aim to identify weaknesses, test countermeasures, and help American forces prepare for warfare dominated by drones. Ukraine’s experience against Russia has made its drone units highly skilled in unmanned systems and electronic warfare. The repeated challenges raise questions about whether the U.S. military should adapt more quickly and enhance its capabilities in response.