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 Maj. Wayne Clyne

Oregon Youth Challenge Program Capitol Duty and the Passage of SCR 2 B-Roll

Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office

March 23, 2023 | 6:18

The Oregon Youth Challenge Program (OYCP) performed Page duty at the Oregon State Capitol building on March 22 as Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 passed in the Oregon State House of Representatives.

The OYCP is a 17-month program aimed at guiding struggling youths from Oregon to become responsible citizens and leaders in society. The program is a joint project of the Oregon Military Department and the National Guard, with additional state and federal government support.

The OYCP mission is "To provide opportunities for personal growth, self-improvement and academic achievement among Oregon high school dropouts, teens no longer attending and those failing in school, through a highly structured non-traditional environment; integrating training, mentoring, and diverse educational activities."

The OYCP cadets served as Pages and provided a color guard for the Legislative Assembly at the Oregon State Capitol. While performing Page duty, they assisted lawmakers and performed various tasks such as delivering messages, preparing the chambers for sessions, and other errands.

The program's director, Daniel M. Radabaugh, said, "Posting the Colors in the House and Senate at the State Capital is one of the highlights for Oregon Youth Challenge, Color Guard cadets. Accompanying the Color Guard to the Capital were the Student Government cadets for Class 65. All cadets worked as Pages with our State Legislators during their visit, observing state government in action.

The OYCP cadets' service at the Capitol building comes at a crucial time when the Oregon State Legislature has passed the SCR2 resolution recognizing and honoring Oregon National Guard service members. The resolution acknowledges the Oregon National Guard's critical role in responding to various emergencies, including wildfires and natural disasters, and the guard's many overseas deployments.

The SCR2 resolution also acknowledges the sacrifices made by the service members and their families, commending them for their dedication to serving the country and the state of Oregon. Finally, former Oregon Air National Guard member Representative Paul Evans of district 20 read the bill as a Special Order of Business before a unanimous vote of all present representatives.

The OYCP cadets' participation in the Capitol's Page program and the passage of SCR2 demonstrate the critical role that young people can play in shaping the future of their communities and the country. The OYCP program continues to provide opportunities for Oregon's struggling youths to become responsible, productive citizens while supporting the state's critical missions.

(U.S. Army National Guard video by Maj. W. Chris Clyne Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

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.

Tags

Up Next

What is happening where?