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.

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Video by Lt. ROBERT DOLAN

VFA-102 Change of Command Ceremony

Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO TWO (VFA 102)

April 8, 2022 | 32:42

IWAKUNI, Japan - The “Diamondbacks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 held a change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Mar. 8.

Cmdr. Timothy “Sparky” Charlebois, of Yorba Linda, Calif., assumed all duties and responsibilities as the VFA-102 Commanding Officer from Cmdr. Daniel “Bunny” O’Hara, of Hendersonville, Tenn.

Cmdr. O’Hara took command of the “Diamondbacks” in October, 2020, and led them through a deployment into the 5th and 7th fleet areas of responsibility. While on deployment, the “Diamondbacks” supported Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Allies Refuge in support of the retrograde of U.S. Forces from Afghanistan.

“It has been an honor and the privilege of a lifetime to lead the finest fighter squadron in the U.S. Navy,” said O’Hara. “The men and women of the Diamondbacks unequivocally set the standard for all to emulate. I was extremely humbled to serve alongside these tremendous Sailors; and I wish Cmdr. Charlebois, Cmdr. Morris, Cmdr. Horton, and the entire Diamondback team and their families all the best in their future endeavors. Cmdr. Charlebois has been a tremendous XO [Executive Officer], and the Diamondbacks are in good hands under the care of his tireless leadership. Finally, I would like to thank my mother, father, and brother for their never-ending support during this 20-year journey. Without them, none of this would have been possible.”

Cmdr. Charlebois is a graduate of the University of Southern California. Charlebois served as a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor at Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific (SFWSP), after graduating from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and as the Strike Fighter Readiness Officer for the Chief of Naval Air Forces, Pacific. Charlebois achieved graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the United States Naval War College.

“The men and women of the Diamondbacks will forever be grateful for Cmdr. O’Hara’s guidance and leadership through multiple deployments, including Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5’s first combat deployment in 20 years,” said Charlebois. “Built up under his leadership, the squadron embodies high standards and an attitude of constant learning. I know I speak for the proud men and women of the Diamondbacks as we wish CDR O’Hara success in his future endeavors.

The “Diamondbacks” also welcomed their new executive officer, Cmdr. John “Chucky” Morris, who recently departed VFA-106 out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va. as the Operations Officer.
VFA-102 is part of Carrier Air Wing FIVE which embarks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and operates as a Forward Deployed Naval Force in the 7th fleet Pacific AOR on annual deployments.

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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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