War games: Nato's Exercise Joint Warrior

The US Navy on the Clyde for the start of Joint Warrior

Joint Warrior is one of Europe's largest Nato exercises and is held twice a year in and around Scotland.

Sailors and warships of the US Naval Force Europe-Africa/US 6th Fleet are among those involved in the UK-led war games.

Images released by the American naval force show the ships and their crews arriving at Faslane on the Clyde for the start of the exercise last month.

Other pictures show some of the training that has been taking place, including live firing exercises at a military range at Cape Wrath in Sutherland.

The US armed forces have joined those from other Nato nations, including Germany and France for the exercise

War games are conducted in the sea off Scotland's west coast

Joint Warrior is led by the UK and held each year in spring and autumn

The exercise helps prepare armed forces personnel for actual combat situations

Joint Warrior is one of the largest Nato exercises held in Europe

The first of this year's exercises started late last month

The training is due to end on Thursday

The US regularly sends personnel, warships and aircraft for involvement in the training

A MK45 5-inch gun is fired aboard USS Carney during live firing training at Cape Wrath

All images copyright of Commander, US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US 6th Fleet.