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US Army Europe and Africa PCS Town Hall Coming Up

Join our PCS Town Hall Today at 6 p.m. CEST

Join Deputy Commanding General Brigadier General Jed Schaertl, Command Sergeant Major Rob Abernethy and Human Resources Chief Colonel Trina Rice on May 18, at 6 p.m. CEST, and have your Permanent Change of Station questions answered.

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PCS Town Hall Facebook event
Visit the Newcomers page for more helpful information
View the latest PCS Infographic

Florida National Guard arrives in Croatia for Defender-Europe 21

May 16, 2021 | 0:56

U.S. Army Florida National Guard soldiers arrive at the Zagreb, Croatia on May 16, 2021. The guardsmen will be participating in training exercises at the Main Training Area in Slunj during DEFENDER-Europe 21.

Related:
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 webpage

U.S. Army offers COVID-19 vaccination to local nationals

U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Bavaria, in collaboration with U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, 7th Army Training Command and the tenant units within the USAG Bavaria footprint, conducted a weeklong COVID-19 Vaccination drive starting on May 3, 2021, at the Multi-Purpose Center on Rose Barracks.

Related:
Read more about the vaccination rodeo for local national employees

U.S. Army delivers projects to help serve the most vulnerable in Albania

The United States Embassy in Albania celebrated the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of ties between the United States and Albania earlier this year, highlighting the close bond between the two nations since 1991.

Related:
Read about the humanitarian assistance projects

Moving it: The Mighty 1099th can handle it

When it comes to the movement of equipment and personnel, the crew of the U.S. Army Vessel MG Charles P. Gross has it figured out.
Led by Chief Warrant Officer 3 LeShawn Gerald Cooper, vessel master of the Gross, the crew has been instrumental in providing support to and for Joint Logistics Over-the Shore operations at the Port of Durres, Albania May 11, 2021.

Related:
Read the full story
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 webpage

Logistics assistance representative helps keep equipment running, vehicles rolling

The transport and delivery of supplies, ammunition, water and food is a critical component of any military operation. And keeping those trucks, tactical vehicles and equipment pieces operational is extremely important.

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Full article

53rd IBCT arrives in Bosnia and Herzegovina

May 16, 2021 | 1:10

Soldiers from 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Immediate Response 21, a joint exercise in support of DEFENDER-Europe 21. During the exercise, nearly 700 U.S. Soldiers will train side-by-side with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Related:
Defender-Europe 21 Webpage

Maritime Operations Over the Black Sea

May 10, 2021 | 3:14

Aircrews from the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, part of 12th CAB, are flying training missions over the Black Sea as the final step in their certification for maritime operations, during exercise Swift Response 21, part of DEFENDER-Europe 21, between May 4th and 16th.

Related:
Visit the DEFENDER-Europe 21 webpage

Know your DEFENDER: Spc. Alejandro Guerrero

May 14, 2021 | 1:49

Meet U.S. Army Spc. Alejandro Guerrero, a radio telephone operator with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, an O’Fallon, Illinois, native. Guerrero recently participated in live fire exercises with British and French artillery soldiers in support of Swift Response 21.

Related:
Visit teh Defender-Europe 21 webpage for more information

Garrison’s Black Sea sites serve to launch troops into DEFENDER-Europe 21

Hundreds of American and international military paratroopers jumping from a half-dozen cargo aircraft soaring over Romania May 11 culminated weeks of U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz continuous support to one of the Army's premier exercises.

Related:
Read about the USAG Rheinland-Pfalz supporting Defender-Europe 21
Visit Defender-Europe 21 website

Swift Response 21: Estonia LFX

May 11, 2021 | 2:34

TAPA CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Estonia — As Estonian Defence Force soldiers make their maneuvers, it is up to U.S. Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division to support them via assault in, as they await for the call that they can quickly answer in support of Swift Response 21, May 10, 2021.

Related:
Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21

Albanian Lt. Eldi Ormeni helps keep the ship afloat at DEFENDER-Europe 21

Lt. Eldi Ormeni, Albanian Naval, executive officer and military liaison officer, takes great pride in his job bringing together U.S. and Albanian Forces to work more efficiently together and engage in meaningful relationships that form lasting bonds of friendship and cooperation, during Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operations that took place during DEFENDER-Europe 21.

Related:
Read more about his role in the Joint Logistics Over the Shore operations

Know your DEFENDER: Capt. Damian Vargas

May 14, 2021 | 1:54

Meet French Capt. Damian Vargas, the artillery liaison officer from the French 40th Artillery Regiment, currently supporting Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup - Estonia. Vargas, who comes from the very famous Champagne region of France, says working with British and U.S. Soldiers during Swift Response 21 in Estonia has been a great experience.

Related:
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 website for more stories, videos and information

Pentagon, NATO Demonstrate Transparency Officials Want Russia to Emulate

The contrast in the transparency demonstrated by the United States and its European allies and that displayed by Russia is obvious — perhaps shown best in the way each side handles exercises.

Related:
Read the full article
View the video of the press briefing
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 webpage

Know your DEFENDER: Gunner Luke Johnston

May 12, 2021 | 3:08

Meet Gunner Luke Johnston from the 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, from Kirkcaldy, Scotland, who comes from a long line of military family members. “I come from a rich military history in my family,” he said. “Every generation has served for about the last hundred years.” Johnston is currently in Estonia participating in Swift Response 21, a linked exercise to DEFENDER-Europe 21, with members of the French 40th Field Artillery Regiment and 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Related:
Visit teh Defender-Europe 21 webpage

Joint Forcible Entry on Boboc Air Base, Swift Response 21

May 11, 2021 | 1:15

The JFE on Boboc was conducted as part of three near-simultaneous airborne operations being executed by multiple NATO allied nations, in support of Swift Response 21, one of the premier military crisis response training events for multinational airborne forces in the world. Swift Response is just one part of the large-scale, U.S. Army-led exercise DEFENDER-Europe 21.

Related:
Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21

U.S. and British Soldiers strengthen relationships during Swift Response

Swift Response 21 brings both countries together in order to enhance interoperability and improve tactics for potential real-world dangers. Last month, British soldiers teamed with the 1-319th Abn. Field Artillery Regt. Soldiers for two weeks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, strengthening their partnership between the two countries and their soldiers.

Related:
Read more about the teaming of British and U.S. Soldiers during Swift Response 21
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 webpage

Joint Inspection before loading onto aircraft for Swift Response 21

May 10, 2021 | 1:13

Sky Soldiers and United States Air Force aerial porters from the 435th Contingency Response Group, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing conduct a joint inspection of vehicles and equipment before being loaded onto an aircraft for exercise Swift Response 21 at Papa Airbase, Hungary.

Live Feed of Airborne Operations in Romania for Swift Response

May 10, 2021 | 30:09

Watch the live feed video of U.S., Polish, Romanian and Dutch paratroopers conduct a Joint Forcible Entry during exercise Swift Response Boboc, Romania on 10 May, 2021.
This year Swift Response is a DEFENDER Europe 21 linked exercise. DEFENDER-Europe is an annual large-scale U.S. Army-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO and partner militaries.

Related:
Visit the DEFENDER-Europe 21 webpage

Preparation For The Night Air Assault

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division and their equipment were dropped off late in the evening via Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter in preparation of an air assault exercise that started before sunrise at Tapa Central Training Area, Estonia, May 8, 2021.

Related:
Read more about the preparations
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 website

4x4x48: Army Europe and Africa community participates in 'Ready and Resilient' challenge

Last month, United States Army Europe and Africa conducted the first annual Ready and Resilient 4x4x48 Challenge. Over 70 participants ran, walked, or rucked four miles every four hours for forty-eight hours, with 35 participants completing all twelve legs of the challenge throughout the month of April. Participants conducted the challenge from all over Europe and the United States.

Related:
Read more here

NCO delivers readiness to DEFENDER-Europe 21, other missions across Europe

Within the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, noncommissioned officers play a critical role in operationalizing U.S. Army Materiel Command capabilities to deliver anticipatory readiness at the tactical point of need.

One of those NCOs is Master Sgt. Roxanne Richards. Richards delivers readiness as the only Logistics Civil Augmentation Program NCO in Europe.

Related:
Read more about her role during Defender-Europe 21
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 webpage

Berklee music student turned Army officer supports Horn of Africa mission

Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., is the world’s preeminent music study institute. Many graduates go on to become industry professionals while others become mega music stars. But only one graduate of Berklee now serves in the U.S. Army in Djibouti and Somalia as a Logistics Civil Augmentation Program professional.

Related:
Read more about this Berklee Student turned Soldier

Reserve Soldiers start first-ever BOSS Poland

The Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program has been supporting the overall quality of life for single and unaccompanied Soldiers assigned to duty stations around the world since 1989.
Now, for the first time ever, the program has been established for deployed and rotational troops in Poland thanks to a small team of U.S. Army Reserve civil affairs Soldiers.

Related:
Read more here

Watch these 1-214th Aviation Regt. Soldiers' messages for Mother's Day

From Defender-Europe 21 to Mom

May 9, 2021 | 4:33

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, send Mother's Day messages during exercise Swift Response, part of DEFENDER-Europe 21, May 8.

Related:
Visit the Defender Europe webpage

Over the blue waters of the Black Sea: 12th CAB qualifies crews for maritime operations

The 12th Combat Aviation Brigade is certifying aircrews for maritime operations over the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria in both day and night conditions during Exercise Swift Response 21, part of DEFENDER-Europe 21, between May 4th and 16th.

Related:
Read more about the qualification
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 website

Fueling the Fight

May 6, 2021 | 1:05

Members of the 493rd Petroleum Support Company execute the liquid logistics portion of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operations conducted during DEFENDER-Europe 21 near the port of Durres, Albania, May 4 2021. DEFENDER-Europe is an annual large-scale U.S. Army-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO and partner militaries.

Related:
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 website

General Mohan Hits the Beach with the 21st TSC

U.S. Army Major Gen, Christopher Mohan, commander of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, visited troops on the beach, as they performed bulk fuel transfer over-the-shore May 4, 2021, as part of Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operations currently taking place here as part of DEFENDER-Europe 21 exercises in Durres, Albania.

Related:
Read more
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 website for more information

Historical Port Offers Strategic Access, DEFENDER-Europe 2

U.S. Army Gen. Chris Cavoli, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, visited the historic Port of Durres, May 4, 2021, to observe Joint Logistics Over-the Shore operations and to participate in the DEFENDER-Europe 21 Opening Ceremony and Distinguished Visitor Day, which marked the kick-off of this year’s U.S. Army led-DEFENDER- Europe exercises.

Related:
Full Story
Visit the DEFENDER-Europe 21 webpage

British cargo ship arrives in Zadar, Croatia

May 6, 2021 | 0:53

British cargo ship HURST POINT arrived at the port of Zadar, Croatia, May 5, 2021. Multinational forces offloaded 300 pieces of equipment to be transported to Slunj Training Area for the DEFENDER-Europe 21 associated exercise Immediate Response 21.
DEFENDER- Europe 21 is a large-scale U.S. Army-led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO allies and partner militaries.

Related:
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 website for more information and updates

Just send it: Fires Shock kicks of with MLRS LFX in Estonia

Soldiers from 41st Field Artillery Brigade, along with soldiers from the United Kingdom who are supporting NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup-Estonia, conducted a Multiple Launch Rocket System live fire exercise at Tapa Central Training Area, Estonia, May 5, 2021.
Fires Shock is a series of fires exercises to demonstrates the ability to rapidly deploy long-range precision fires and joint forcible entry fires across Europe and Africa.

Related:
Read about the kick-off event for U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Fires Shock exercise
Fires Shock Press Release

COVID-19 isolation facility in Estonia prepped, ready for DEFENDER-Europe 21

If a Soldier participating in DEFENDER-Europe 21 in Estonia starts feeling ill and is exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19 – he or she will meet these two Army officers very quickly.

Related:
Read the full story
Visit the DEFENDER-Europe 21 webpage

APS-2 equipment, vehicles issued to units in Estonia for DEFENDER-Europe 21

DEFENDER-Europe 21 involves about 28,000 U.S., NATO and partner militaries from 26 nations conducting live fire exercises, airborne operations, missile defense activities and a multitude of complex, bilateral operations simultaneously.

Related:
Read about the APS issue in Estonia
Visit the DEFENDER-Europe 21 website for more information

Estonian Defense League participate in Blackhawk Cold Load training

May 5, 2021 | 1:37

UH-60 Blackhawk crew members from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division conduct cold load training for Estonian Defense League Soldiers on loading and unloading from the Blackhawk May 4, 2021, in preparation for DEFENDER-Europe 21 linked exercise Swift Response 21.

Germany to Bulgaria in 12 hours: 12th CAB arrives for Swift Response 21

The 12th Combat Aviation Brigade demonstrated its ability to rapidly project aviation assets from their homes in Germany to Eastern Europe in under 12 hours by deploying 17 aircraft from 3 separate bases across Germany, crossing 7 countries and more than 1,000 miles to participate in Swift Response 21, part of the larger DEFENDER-Europe 21 series of exercises.

Related:
Read more about the rapid deployment
Visit the DEFENDER-Europe 21 webpage

U.S equipment leaves for training area

May 5, 2021 | 0:56

U.S. Soldiers transport military vehicles and equipment from Zuminek Air Base in Croatia to Slunj Training Area for future multinational training events in support of DEFENDER-Europe 21.

Related:
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 website for more information

2nd Theater Signal Brigade Best Warrior Competition - Belgium competitors

May 5, 2021 | 1:02

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Jason Gourlie, with 39th Strategic Signal Battalion, Non-Commissioned Officer for the 2nd Theater Signal Brigade Best Warrior Competition explains the event, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, April 15, 2021. Competitors performed theater level Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills events that involved ruck, marksmanship, medical procedures and detainee operations. The BWC was held in their home stations to adhere to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby briefs the media at the Pentagon, May 3, 2021.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kirby Mentioning Defender-Europe 21 Attributes in his 3 May Press Briefing

May 3, 2021 | 52:01

"It's defensive in nature, focused on deterring aggression, while preparing our forces to respond to crisis and conduct large-scale combat operations if necessary," said Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby, during a briefing today at the Pentagon.

Related:
Visit the DEFENDER-Europe 21 webpage for more information on the exercise
Read the DOD NEWS article following the conference

405th AFSB, 50th RSG discuss base support operations in Poland

The 405th Army Field Support Brigade's command team, Col. Brad Bane and Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus, visited the Florida National Guard's 50th Regional Support Group in Powidz, Poland, April 29 to discuss the partnership that exists between the two units supporting thousands of Soldiers deployed to Poland with Base Operating Support-Integrator resources, enhancing the operational readiness of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

Related:
Read the full story

Installation Access System Receives Upgrade

U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Directorate of Emergency Services, IACS, is currently in the process of upgrading the installation access system (IACS), which is expected to come online by mid-May.

Related:
Read more here

DEFENDER-Europe 21 Opening Ceremony

May 4, 2021 | 58:07

Broadcast of the Defender-Europe 21 opening ceremony at the port of Durres, Albania on May 4, 2021.
DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a large-scale U.S. Army-led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO allies and partner militaries.

Related:
Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21

12th CAB arrives in Bulgaria for DEFENDER-Europe 21

May 3, 2021 | 1:01

Elements of the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment enter Bulgaria for exercise Swift Response, part of DEFENDER-Europe 21, on April 20, 2021. 1-214th commander, Lt. Col. Matthew McGraw, talks about deploying his unit from Germany to Bulgaria.

Related:
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 website for more information

Ship to Shore Support Around the World

This year, DEFENDER-Europe exercises kicks off in Durres, Albania, with a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operation that will demonstrate the power of U.S. Joint Forces, working together with international partners and allies, as they move more than 800 pieces of heavy equipment and a storehouse of supplies from ship to shore.

Related:
Read more about the Joint Logistics over the Shore operations
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 webpage

Listen to Ambassador of the United States to North Macedonia Kate Marie Byrnes elaborating on DEFENDER-Europe 21 exercise's importance to the region.

Listen to U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia Kate Marie Byrnes explaining DEFENDER-Europe 21's importance to the region.

April 29, 2021 | 5:50

This year, during exercise DEFENDER-Europe 21, more than 28,000 multinational forces from 26 nations will conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in more than a dozen countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region.

Related:
Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21

U.S. Soldiers in Estonia for DEFENDER-Europe 21 receive quality life support

DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a highly complex, multinational, joint exercise involving over 26,000 forces from 26 nations conducting operations across more than 30 training areas in 12 countries. But how do you support all these troops logistically?

Related:
Read about the quality of life support to the Soldiers
Visit the Defender-Europe 21 webpage

Army Meets Navy in Albania

The USNS Bob Hope arrived off the coast of Durres, Albania, April 26, 2021, where it was greeted by the crew of the U.S. Army Logistics Support Vessel MG Charles P. Gross. Both will participate in the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operations, kicking off DEFENDER-Europe 21.

Related:
Read more about the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operations
Visit the DEFENDER-Europe webpage

More News, Photos and Videos from across U.S. Army Europe and Africa

More News, Photos and Videos from across U.S. Army Europe and Africa

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