SWIFT RESPONSE

Swift Response
 
 
 
Swift Response 25 demonstrates multinational power projection and the expansion of critical capabilities on the battlefield in the High North and Baltics through airborne jumps and integration of technology in support of the Army Modernization Strategy and DoD Arctic Strategy. Swift Response 25 involves five near-simultaneous airborne insertions, HIRAIN training, a field hospital exercise and live fires conducted with NATO networks in Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and Finland from May 11 – 31, 2025.
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Video by Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
AF Cycling Team RAGBRAI 2014
185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard
July 22, 2014 | 2:36
It’s called the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, or “RAGBRAI”. It is a week-long bicycle touring event that organizers claim is the longest and largest of its kind, in the world.
The event has grown into a monstrosity compared to its humble beginnings; and today tens of thousands descend on the Hawkeye state each summer to participate in the event.
RAGBRAI has become the premier event for the Air Force Cycling Team, with over 100 riders, the Air Force Team is the largest Military Team and one of the largest teams overall. For Team Air Force, RAGBRAI is a bit more like a family reunion; it is a time when team members can get together, renew old acquaintances and promote the Air Force along the way.
Senior Master Sgt Larry Gallo is the Air Force Team director and RAGBRAI veteran, he says RAGBRAI is a great opportunity to tell the Air Force story to a large captive audience, but it is also a great moral boast.
Each year the event has these riders starting in the west part of the state bordered by the Missouri River and ending in the east in a town on the Mississippi River. In just seven days the riders cover nearly 500 miles, all while meeting new people and spreading the Air Force message.
Lt Col John Pugh, a KC-135 pilot with Alabama Air National Guard says it’s the people that keep him coming back each year.
If you are a member of any branch of the Air Force and you are interested in joining the team you can look them up on AFCYCLING.COM. Available in high definition.
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What is happening where?

  • Italy
    ItalyParatroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade will depart from Italy to conduct an airborne drop into Lithuania.
  • Finland

    FinlandThe Finnish Army will conduct a live fire exercise with the Polish Armed Forces and U.S. Forces will fire HIMARS also known as HIRAIN training.

    Polish paratroopers will conduct an airborne jump into Finland, where they will join the Finnish Army to conduct force on force training.

  • Latvia

    Latvia

    In Latvia, paratroopers from Spanish Airborne Brigade and 173rd Airborne Brigade will conduct an airborne jump into Latvia and a live-fire exercises will follow .
    Also, the Latvian national exercise, Crystal Arrow, will be conducted simultaneously with Swift Response 25.  
  • Lithuania

    Lithuania

    In Lithuania, there will be a Field hospital exercise and medical operations. A U.S.-based blood support detachment will deploy to Europe, where they will be issued Army Prepositioned Stock and join the 512th Field Hospital in Lithuania. The exercise will demonstrate theater medical support operations while working under chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear conditions. The field hospital exercise will also include a simulated blood draw and resupply to forward positioned medical teams using drones.
    Paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade will conduct an airborne assault into Lithuania alongside NATO Allies from France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
    The Lithuanian national exercise Iron Wolf will be linked with Swift Response 25 events with participants from the Netherlands, Lithuania and Germany.
  • Norway
    NorwayAs part of Swift Response 25, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division will deploy from the U.S. and conduct
    a direct airborne jump into Norway in the first major event commencing DEFENDER 25. This event is one of five,
    near-simultaneous airborne operations that will be taking place in Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.
     

    Also U.S. and Host Nation will conduct Live-fires in Norway.

  • Sweden

    Sweden

    NATO Allies will conduct an airborne jump into Gotland Island, setting the stage for U.S. Marines to conduct a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Insertion (HIRAIN) training on the island.

  • United Kingdom

    United KingdomTroops moving from United Kingdom to Norway and Sweden.