WIESBADEN, Germany —
Today, the airborne portion of exercise Swift Response begins with a Joint Forcible Entry parachute jump in Skillingaryd, Sweden, which will include approximately 800 paratroopers from the United States, Spain, Hungary and Italy. It is the first multinational airborne operation in Sweden since the country’s accession to NATO in March.
The JFE in Sweden is the first of six such planned airborne operations across Europe as part of Swift Response, which features approximately 3,700 U.S. and 9,500 multinational participants from more than 16 Allied and partner nations. Swift Response is one of three linked exercises that make up DEFENDER 24.
"Swift Response for the 173rd Airborne Brigade is all about high-end training with our NATO Allies and partners – testing and strengthening our combined joint capabilities together while demonstrating our commitment to the security of the European theater," said Col. Joshua Gaspard, commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, which is participating in the Sweden JFE.
Scheduled to occur through May 31, Swift Response is also linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise, as well as national exercises Spring Strike in Sweden, Quadriga South in Germany; and Dacia 24 in Romania, which includes one of the largest airborne operations since World War II.
Along with airborne operations, Swift Response includes air assaults, live-fire exercises and multinational training with Allies and partners. Exercise locations include Estonia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Hungary, and Italy.
Several media opportunities are scheduled during DEFENDER 24 activities. Journalists interested in being added to the distribution list should email media@army.mil. Follow the latest news and information on DEFENDER 24 at www.EuropeAfrica.army.mil/DefenderEurope.
Multiple factors including weather can affect airborne operations and may result in changes to the exercise plan and activities.