The Florida National Guard participated in DEFENDER-Europe 21, which demonstrates that the U.S. commitment to NATO is iron clad, that NATO allies and partners stand stronger together and is a prime example of our collective capabilities. Over the weekend, soldiers arrived in three nations: Croatia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. See photos of the Florida National Guard below.
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 more than a dozen countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region.
United States Florida Army National Guard Soldiers with 1st squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment exit the airplane for Defender Europe at Skopje International Airport, North Macedonia. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Catherine Bravo)
Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stand in formation at Sarajevo International Airport in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Nearly 700 U.S. Soldiers and BiH Armed Forces will participate in joint exercise Immediate Response 21. The Minister of Defense of BiH, Sifet Podži?, welcomed the Soldiers on the flight line upon their arrival. “The commitment of our friends from the U.S. to be a strong supporter of the Armed Forces of BiH is being proven this time as well, and I am especially glad about that,” Podzic said. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Michael Baumberger)
Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, load their bags onto a bus at Sarajevo International Airport in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The 2-124th will depart to their first training location where they will then work closely with BiH Armed Forces in support of Immediate Response 21 and DEFENDER-Europe 21. Nearly 500 BiH Armed Forces members and 700 U.S. Soldiers will conduct training exercises across the country over the next few weeks. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Michael Baumberger)
Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stand in formation at Sarajevo International Airport in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Michael Baumberger)
Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, exit the airstrip at Sarajevo International Airport in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The 2-124th will train with BiH Armed Forces as part of the joint exercise known as Immediate Response 21. 500 BiH Armed Forces will take part in the exercise with nearly 700 U.S. Soldiers in different training areas throughout BiH. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Michael Baumberger)
