C-130s deliver U.S. and Spanish paratroopers to Latvia, demonstrating allied strength in Swift Response 25

Photo By Staff Sgt. Randis Monroe | U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, wait for instructions to board a C-130 cargo aircraft during Exercise Swift Response 25 at Riga International Airport, Latvia, May 17, 2025. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility. Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Randis Monroe)  

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, GERMANY

05.19.2025

Story by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez 

86th Airlift Wing

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany - The 37th Airlift Squadron conducted airlift operations in Latvia May 13 - 17 as part of Swift Response 25, a multinational exercise aimed at testing NATO’s ability to deploy forces quickly across Europe.

SR25 is one of three major exercises under DEFENDER 25, an annual U.S. Army-led deployment and training event with 29 participating nations conducting exercise response operations and increasing interoperability alongside Allies and partners.

“It was really great to work with our NATO allies in Latvia and from Spain. We were able to work with a lot of the host nation loading and unloading our aircraft and coordination for the ground movements there,” said Capt. Patrick Halloran, 37th Airlift Squadron chief of tactics. “We were able to have a joint mixed formation of Airbus A400Ms’ and C-130J Super Hercules. We got to experience the similarities and differences of how our NATO partners operate which was really great to see.”

This exercise involved High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems Rapid Infiltration training, a field hospital exercise, live-fire exercises, and five near-simultaneous airborne insertions across five countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

The “Blue Tail Flies” focus during SR25 was delivering equipment and approximately 900 paratroopers from the Spanish Airborne Brigade and the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade to training areas in and around Riga to support joint airborne operations in Latvia.

This exercise aimed to demonstrate the U.S. Army’s credible combat power to rapidly deploy and maneuver U.S. and Allied airborne forces across the High North and Baltics, reinforcing the ability to secure key terrain along NATO’s eastern flank through Joint Forceful entry.

“Joint forceful entry is a direct delivery of an airborne army unit to a specific location, usually heavily fortified, to seize territory,” said Halloran. “We also worked with the Latvian nationals to make the airdrops happen, we ended up dropping about 109 total jumpers into a drop zone in Latvia.”

SR25 brought U.S., Allied and partner forces together to improve joint readiness and coordination, building trust between the nations involved. This not only strengthened partnerships, but also increased readiness for any future contingencies.

U.S. and Allied paratroopers conducted integrated jumps, high-mobility infiltration training, and rapid airfield seizures enabled by the 37th AS’s aircraft and crews.

Their support included low-level tactical flying and airdrop resupply and troop transport. These events highlighted critical capabilities in adverse environments coordinated with NATO and partner units on the ground.

The 37th AS’s participation demonstrated U.S. resolve to deliver combat power with speed and precision, reinforcing the Air Force’s commitment to defend NATO Allies and deter aggression. SR25 proved Allied forces remain lethal, ready and capable in a dynamic security environment.

“It was awesome to represent the 86 Airlift Wing in this large exercise like this and it was really a testament to what happens when we work together as a joint force and how much of a force multiplier working with our allies and partners are,” said Halloran. “Being able to use and grow our NATO relationships to deliver an effect like we did with SR25 and get those practice reps in is crucial so that when it's game time, we're ready and all on the same page and same team working together.”

SR25 supports the broader goals of DEFENDER 25, reinforcing NATO’s collective defense and the U.S. commitment to regional security.

• Date Taken: 05.19.2025
• Date Posted: 05.22.2025 03:56
• Story ID: 498660
• Location: RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE