U.S. Special Operations Forces, NATO Allies Advance Cyber and Space Capabilities in Swift Response 25

Photo By Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah | Two Green Berets with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and a Lithuanian National Volunteer Defense Forces soldier exit a building after conducting a simulated raid during Swift Response 25 in Pabrade, Lithuania, May 12, 2025. Swift Response 25 is a multinational sub-exercise of DEFENDER 25 that highlights the shared security commitment of U.S. forces and NATO Allies through rehearsed integration for large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah)  

PABRADE, LITHUANIA

05.30.2025

Story by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah 

U.S. Special Operations Command Europe   

PABRADE, Lithuania— Green Berets with U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group
(Airborne) trained alongside NATO Allies during Swift Response 25, a sub-exercise of
DEFENDER 25, held in Pabrade and other locations, May 8–18.
A key feature of this year’s exercise was the use of space and cyber capabilities
in support of special operations behind simulated enemy lines. Green Berets and Allied
special operations forces executed coordinated actions that enabled real-time detection,
tracking, identification, and neutralization of a notional biological threat.
The integration of special operations forces with cyber and space capabilities
represents a critical step forward in countering chemical, biological, radiological and
nuclear threats. By combining SOF’s ability to operate deep in contested areas with the
reach and precision of the cyber effects, the U.S. and NATO can reduce an adversary’s
capacity to function and deny them the strategic benefits of employing CBRN weapons.
“On the modern battlefield, and here at Swift Response 25, U.S. Special Forces
are leveraging their ability to penetrate deep behind enemy lines to facilitate space and
cyber warfare to reduce critical enemy capabilities,” said Sgt. Maj. Sean Sarokas,
company sergeant major with 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Swift Response participants included host nations Norway, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, and Finland. The exercise focused on the rapid deployment
of forces to strengthen key capabilities and improve operational integration. Training
scenarios included simulated raids, ambushes, and joint maneuvers designed to test
both conventional and unconventional tactics.
Swift Response 25 is one of three sub-exercises of DEFENDER 25, the largest
U.S. Army exercise in Europe. Roughly 4,000 U.S. forces and 2,000 Allies and partners
participated in Swift Response 25.
Allied and partner forces behind enemy lines is a core strength of U.S. Special
Forces. Training alongside Allied and partner forces ensures everyone is ready,
technically and tactically, when real-world missions arise according to a 20th Special
Forces Group (Airborne) captain.
Exercises like Swift Response are a visible example of U.S. and NATO forces’
ability to forward position themselves together in a joint operating environment. The
exercise allowed U.S. and Allied forces an opportunity to operate together and enhance
NATO deterrence and readiness.
“It is great for NATO forces to get together and bring all that [training] together in
one cohesive picture,” said a 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) captain. “We share
tactics, techniques, and the standard operating procedures in order to work more
cohesively together.”
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• Date Taken: 05.30.2025
• Date Posted: 05.30.2025 13:54
• Story ID: 499303
• Location: PABRADE, LT