ImmediateResponse

Immediate Response 25 is a U.S. Army large-scale exercise enhancing cyber and CBRNE defense capabilities, NATO integration through state partnership readiness programs and multinational exercises to equip NATO’s regional plans and uphold U.S. commitments to the Alliance. Immediate Response 25 demonstrates multinational live fires conducted with NATO networks, a cyber exercise, water crossing, and CBRNE exercises from May 26 - June 9 with over 12,000 participants and hosted in eight countries to include Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovakia.

Videos

Video by Staff Sgt. Franklin Harris, Tech. Sgt. Cameron Huntsinger, Jon Zanone

E-4B Nightwatch Interior b-roll

2D Audiovisual Squadron

May 23, 2024 | 9:03

E-4B

Mission

The E-4B "Nightwatch" serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a key component of the National Military Command System for the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities. The conduct of E-4B operations encompasses all phases of the threat spectrum. Additionally, the E-4B provides outside the continental United States travel support for the Secretary of Defense and his staff to ensure Title 10 command and control connectivity.

Features

The E-4B, a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200, is a four-engine, swept-wing, long-range, high-altitude airplane capable of refueling in flight. The main deck is divided into six functional areas: a command work area, conference room, briefing room, an operations team work area, communications area and rest area. An E-4B may include seating for up to 111 people, including a joint-service operations team, Air Force flight crew, maintenance and security component, communications team and selected augmentees.

The E-4B is protected against the effects of electromagnetic pulse and has an electrical system designed to support advanced electronics and a wide variety of communications equipment. An advanced satellite communications system provides worldwide communication for senior leaders through the airborne operations center. Other improvements include nuclear and thermal effects shielding, acoustic control, an improved technical control facility and an upgraded air-conditioning system for cooling electrical components.

To provide direct support to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the JCS, at least one E-4B is always generated as a NAOC and on alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a global watch team at one of many bases selected throughout the world.

In addition to its national and NC3 mission, the E-4B provides support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides communications and command center capability to relief efforts following natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

Air Force Global Strike Command is the Air Force single-resource manager for the E-4B, and provides aircrew, maintenance, security and communications support. E-4B operations are directed by the JCS and executed through U.S. Strategic Command. USSTRATCOM also provides personnel for the NAOC battle staff.

Background

The E-4B evolved from the E-4A, which had been in service since late 1974. The first B model was delivered to the Air Force in January 1980, and by 1985 all aircraft were converted to B models. All E-4B aircraft are assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The 595th C2G aligned under Eighth Air Force Oct. 1, 2016.

General characteristics

Primary function: Airborne operations center
Builder: Boeing Aerospace Co.
Power plant: Four General Electric CF6-50E2 turbofan engines
Thrust: 52,500 pounds each engine
Length: 231 feet, 4 inches (70.5 meters)
Wingspan: 195 feet, 8 inches (59.7 meters)
Height: 63 feet, 5 inches (19.3 meters)
Maximum takeoff weight: 800,000 pounds (360,000 kilograms)
Endurance: 12 hours (unrefueled)
Ceiling: above 30,000 feet (9,091 meters)
Unit cost: $223.2 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)
Crew: up to 111
Date deployed: January 1980
Inventory: active force, 4; Air National Guard, 0; Reserve, 0

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What is happening where?

Albania
In Albania, the New Jersey Army National Guard will conduct live-fire activities with Albanian Armed Forces, as part of the State Partnership Program.
Bulgaria
The USAREUR-AF Band & Chorus, along with other U.S. Army units, will conduct a series of dynamic performances and community engagements across Bulgaria ahead of DEFENDER 25.

In Bulgaria, the 31st Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade, Alabama Army National Guard, will have personnel provide protection support to NATO’s 1st German Netherlands Corps and command and control of all CBRNE units and training in Immediate Response 25. A CBRN headquarters will be established at a satellite location to execute a division-level CBRN mission command center.

Additionally, the Bulgarian national exercise, Bulgarian Sentinel, will be linked to Immediate Response 25 and consists of a battalion from 3^rd Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Armored Division, one Forward Land Forces (FLF) multinational battlegroup and Bulgarian Land Force Command conducting a battalion-level live-fire exercise at two separate training areas. (The FLF is one of eight battlegroups contributing to NATO’s forward presence and hosted by Bulgaria, with Italy being the framework nation.)
Croatia

In Croatia, troops from the U.S. Army 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st TSC, will establish a Theater Detention Facility and a Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center (JIDC) to increase detention operations, expeditionary deployment operations and command and control capabilities with Allies and partners. Role 2 ancillary medical support will be supported by the Croatian Armed Forces.

Soldiers from the Maryland Army National Guard will conduct a live fire exercise with their state partner, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Additionally, a mechanized brigade attack training event will take place with soldiers from the U.S., Albania, Croatia, Germany, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.

Two Croatian national exercises, named Lift and Laufer, will be linked to exercise Immediate Response 25.
Greece

Immediate Response kicks off in Greece - The Hellenic Army will host an opening ceremony with multinational participation marking the commencement of Immediate Response 25. Equipment and weaponry being used during the exercise will also be on display.

In Greece, a water crossing and battalion air assault will occur with personnel from the 194th Engineer Brigade, Tennessee Army National Guard, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont Army National Guard, and Greek 20th Armored Division.

Combined arms live-fire training will take place near Petrochori. A chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive training event will take place at a Hellenic port to demonstrate a chemical attack, disrupting port operations, and exercise decontamination scenarios with French, Greek and U.S. forces including the U.S. Army 21st TSC and 184th Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Explosive Ordnance Device Group, 20th CBRNE Command.
Kosovo
In Kosovo, personnel from 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard will participate in Immediate Response 25 as a division headquarters overseeing four multinational brigades.
Montenegro

In Montenegro, Maine Army National Guard, Montenegro Armed Forces, and host nation government agencies will conduct a cyber range enhancing host nation cyber defense and communications security to deter and defend in crisis and conflict.

U.S. Navy Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 2, and Montenegrin and Albania Naval Forces will conduct port security sustainment training in Montenegro and transfer to Albania to improve force projection and integration in the Adriatic.
North Macedonia

A public event will be held in the city of Kavadarci, where NATO Allies and partners will showcase military equipment and vehicles being used during Immediate Response 25.

The 86^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont Army National Guard will conduct a multinational live fire exercise alongside their state partner, North Macedonia.

In North Macedonia, the 86th IBCT will conduct training activities alongside the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, Austrian Armed Forces, Albanian Armed Forces, Hellenic Army, Kosovo Security Forces, and Armed Forces of Montenegro. Activities at Krivolak Training Area include mountain training, field training exercise, combined arms live-fire and small arms live-fires.
Slovakia
In Slovakia, U.S. Army 1st Global Field Medical Laboratory, 20th CBRNE Command, will conduct defensive CBRNE tasks to mitigate threats while being integrated with a multinational CBRNE task force at the CBRN Training and Testing Center.

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