DEFENDER is the Army’s largest annual opportunity to exercise moving personnel and equipment into theater across modes for initial and follow-on operations critical to Large Scale Combat Operations. Led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of CONUS-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stock and follow-on exercises demonstrating lethality and interoperability with Allies and partners

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Video by Staff Sgt. Rodney Roldan
U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers conduct joint MEDEVAC training during Swift Response 23
300th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
May 11, 2023 | 4:35
U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 5th Battalion, 159th General Support Aviation Battalion, 244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, out of Fort Knox, Kentucky, conducted medical evacuation training with Polish and Estonian partner forces in a MH-60 Blackhawk at an airfield in Estonia during Swift Response 23, May. 9, 2023. This training is designed to timely and efficiently transport casualties to the nearest medical facility while ongoing casualty care. Swift Response 23 is one of three exercises under DEFENDER 23 and features the Spanish Airborne Brigade “Brigada Paracaidista (BRIPAC)” replicating a division leading three separate Joint Forcible Entry airborne operations in the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean regions as part of linked exercises to DEFENDER 23.

DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF's ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF's operational reach.
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.