HIRAIN Saaremaa Island, Estonia operation Swift Response [Image 5 of 5]

LIELVāRDE, LATVIA

05.13.2023

Photo by Sgt. Patrick Mayabb 

Michigan National Guard

U.S. Army Soldiers with Bravo Battery, 1-182nd Field Artillery Regiment Michigan Army National Guard, prepare for a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) at Lielvārde, Latvia, as they participate in the DEFENDER 23 exercise Swift Response 23, May 14, 2023. The unit will load two HIMAR’s with live rockets into a C17 Globemaster and fly to Saaremaa Island, Estonia to execute the HIRAIN mission. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF’s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF’s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Patrick Mayabb)

• Date Taken: 05.13.2023
• Date Posted: 05.16.2023 10:45
• Photo ID: 7798981
• VIRIN: 230514-Z-PJ003-1018
• Resolution: 6720x4480
• Size: 0 B
• Location: LIELVāRDE, LV