Meet U.S. Army Pfc. Caden Hurd, an infantryman assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division.
Defender 24 is a demonstration of NATO Allies and partner nations’ ability to seamlessly operate together to maintain a stable and prosperous European and Trans-Atlantic region. This sends a strong message to potential adversaries, deters aggression, enhances stability, and assures Euro-Atlantic publics. Defender builds capability in Ally and partner conventional land forces at the corps, division and below levels through employing a lethal and credible combined land force.
“I think it benefits both military services to come together and learn from one another,” said the Dallas, Texas native. “Experiences and exercises like this and working with other countries helps me not only do something more meaningful with my life but also something meaningful for the United States,” said Hurd.
Hurd’s brother was a huge impact on him and motivated him to want to join the military.
“I joined the Army after my brother joined the Marines, ” said Hurd. “He had a lot of good things to say about his military service. I wanted to do something meaningful with my life,” said Hurd.
DEFENDER is the Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, and is a U.S. European Command scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted exercise that consists of Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. DEFENDER 24 is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise, and DoD’s Large Scale Global Exercise, taking place from 28 March to 31 May. DEFENDER 24 is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe and includes more than 17,000 U.S. and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 Allied and partner nations, including Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Gavin Hardy)
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2024 10:16 |
| Photo ID: | 8430665 |
| VIRIN: | 240523-A-EJ325-1022 |
| Resolution: | 6720x4480 |
| Size: | 10.13 MB |
| Location: | FI |
| Hometown: | DALLAS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 89 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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