Essential mission equipment begins its descent after exiting a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft on Memel Drop Zone during a joint force entry operation, as part of Swift Response 2025 at Gaižiūnai Training Area, Lithuania, May 16, 2025. As the U.S. Army’s only Airborne Brigade forward-stationed in Europe, the 173rd serves as the Contingency Response Force for U.S. European Command - able to deploy on short notice to deter aggression and defend NATO’s eastern flank.
DEFENDER 25 is the largest annual U.S. Army exercise in Europe, incorporating approximately 25,000 soldiers from 29 Allied and partner nations to rehearse the ability to rapidly deploy forces, integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, and demonstrate combined command and control structures. Simultaneous operations will take place during three exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—across 15 countries, building readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO Allies, and partner nations from May 11 to June 24, 2025.
(U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Caitlinn Belcher)
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2025 12:41 |
| Photo ID: | 9043663 |
| VIRIN: | 250516-A-BA877-1076 |
| Resolution: | 6720x4480 |
| Size: | 12.5 MB |
| Location: | GAIžIūNAI, LT |
| Web Views: | 4 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, United in the sky: 173rd Airborne Brigade jumps into joint training [Image 12 of 12], by SGT Caitlinn Belcher, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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