Through the Lens: Meet Dutch Master Cpl. Barend Westerveld, combat photographer

ROMANIA

05.13.2021

Photo by Spc. Jabari Clyburn 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

Meet Dutch Master Cpl. Barend Westerveld, combat photographer with the 11th Air Assault Brigade. Recently deployed to Romania in support of DEFENDER-Europe 21, Westerveld's faces a unique challenge: telling the Royal Netherlands Army's story as they train shoulder-to-shoulder with other nation's militaries.

"There are few photographers in our army, and I am very honored to show the world what my country is capable of when working alongside our NATO allies and partners," he said.

After arriving to Romania, the 11th Air Assault Brigade worked alongside U.S., Romanian, Polish and German allies during Swift Response 21, one of three DEFENDER-Europe 21 exercises and one of the premier military crisis response training events for multinational airborne forces in the world.

Westerveld hopes his work here during DEFENDER-Europe 21 will motivate the next generation of NATO soldiers.

“Young people are generally interested in the army,” said Westerveld. "I like to give them a little insight into our world, and I hope to inspire them to join the army through my images.”

DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a large-scale U.S. Army-led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO allies and partner militaries. This year, more than 28,000 multinational forces from 26 nations will conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in 14 countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region. Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21, visit www.EuropeAfrica.army.mil/DefenderEurope. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Jabari Clyburn)

• Date Taken: 05.13.2021
• Date Posted: 05.14.2021 00:27
• Photo ID: 6643644
• VIRIN: 210513-A-RR275-285
• Resolution: 6720x4480
• Size: 8.65 MB
• Location: RO