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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Iraqi Security Forces demolish Daesh safe havens During “Heroes of Iraqi” Phase III, with Coalition air support

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve

June 26, 2020 | 0:29

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Thousands of Iraqi Security Forces members, including elements from: Iraqi Army, “Qwat al-Khasah” Special Forces Brigade, Iraqi Air Force, Emergency Response Divisions, Federal Police, Popular Mobilization Units, and Iraqi Security and Intelligence agencies, cleared over 4,800 square kilometers in search of ISIS hideouts during Operation “Heroes of Iraq III” in Salah ad-Din Province, Iraq, June 22-24.

The ground clearance mission covered over eight times the amount of terrain cleared during the previous “Heroes” operation, in early June.

“Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Mr. Mustafa Al-Kazemi, and under the supervision of the Joint Operations Command, ‘Heroes of Iraq III’ was launched to clear and search areas in Salah Ad-Din governorate and the boundaries with Diyala, Samarra, and Kirkuk,” said Iraqi Ministry of Defense spokesman Brig. Gen Yehia Rasool in a statement.

The ISF main operation opened early Monday morning with lethal strikes from French Coalition aircraft on suspected terrorist locations and firing positions. Three French Rafale fighters, supported by German in-flight refueling, carried out a strike using laser-guided and GPS-guided AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) bombs, totally destroying several buildings used by Daesh between Samarra and Kirkuk.

As the mission progressed, the ISF captured and destroyed ISIS weapons and vehicles, and disabled 76 improvised explosive devices, preventing their use in future terrorist attacks against Iraqi citizens.

In a concurrent mission in the nearby Makhmour / Qarachokh mountains, members of Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service, with support from CJTF-OIR air power, pursued and destroyed ISIS fighters to prevent their interference with the “Heroes” operation.

ISF units continued on to destroy 11 tunnels and 29 operating sites, thereby denying ISIS criminals the means to freely move equipment and fighters. Sadly, in their pursuit of terrorists, two brave Iraqi heroes were killed during the operation, and 10 more wounded.

“The Iraqi Security Forces are tough and capable opponents against these ISIS criminal gangs,” said Brig. Gen. Bill Seely, commander of CJTF-OIR’s Task Force Iraq. “We are all in the same boat rowing strong, and together, to defeat these terrorists, and I am proud to serve with them.”

By June 24, the ISF had cleared 89 villages of terrorist cells and seized six explosive-manufacturing sites, degrading the criminals’ ability to target innocent Iraqi citizens.

“With each new phase of ‘Heroes of Iraq’, the ISF proves just how much better led, equipped, and determined they are to destroy Daesh,” said Seely.

Heroes of Iraq III was the latest large scale ISF operation that compliments near-daily missions by the ISF enterprise to defeat the evils of terrorism in their country. HOI III was enabled by Coalition intelligence, aviation, and planning support. The Coalition conducted more than 20 air-strikes in support of Iraqi ground forces during the operation, using jet fighters from Iraq, France, U.K., and U.S.

The ISF continue to demonstrate their anti-Daesh combat capability in effective operations, frequently without Coalition involvement, relying on Iraqi intelligence and the Iraqi Air Force. In 2020, they have conducted more than 1,200 missions to defeat Daesh remnants and provide a safe and stable region for the people of Iraq.

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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