Photo By Capt. Billy Lacroix | Two U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation...... read more read more
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By Army Capt. Billy Lacroix, Public Affairs Officer, 1st Infantry Division
ILLESHEIM, Germany – Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, launched from Illeshiem airfield to Tuzla International Airport, Bosnia and Herzegovina in preparation for exercise Immediate Response on May 03.
Immediate Response is an exercise linked with U.S. Army Europe-Africa DEFENDER-Europe, which is designed to ensure that U.S. forces, participating NATO forces, and European partners are trained, able to operate together, and are ready to respond to any threat from any direction.
"This training opportunity allows us to showcase some of the best aviation assets that exist in the world and our ability to quickly maneuver people and equipment across the battlefield, “ said 1st. Lt. Hanna Hartel, flight commander, 2nd Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.
The large-scale movement of troops and equipment requires extensive support from host nations and demonstrates the indispensability of allied and partner investments and contributions to European military readiness and defense.
“Preparing for large-scale operations across multiple countries requires planning and practice well in advance. Our counterparts in Bosnia and Herzegovina have provided us with everything we need to ensure we can operate efficiently together and accomplish our mission.” said Capt. Grant Fath, commander, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division.
This exercise is a prime example of U.S. forces working closely together with European partners in peacetime so they are prepared for a crisis. Engaging with the military of other nations allows U.S. service members the opportunity to learn new skills and gain new perspectives.
“Deepening our partnership and tactical knowledge with the Bosnia and Herzegovina armed forces will help us implement key procedures that will benefit future joint operations in the region in case of a crisis,” said Hartel.
The security of NATO’s eastern flank as well as that of sovereign nations in the region is contingent upon the ability to deter potential adversaries. The 1st Combat Aviation Brigade’s ability to conduct military movement across borders in Europe is key to the readiness of NATO allies and partners. Speed is of the essence whether it be for exercises in peacetime, or supplying forces in a crisis.
"The U.S. has long supported Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path towards a Euro-Atlantic future and to be able to build interoperability with our systems is only solidifying our relationship even further,” said Fath.
DEFENDER-Europe is an annual large-scale U.S. Army-led, multinational, joint exercise designed to build strategic and operational readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO, allied, and partnered forces in Europe. The exercise is defensive in nature and focuses on deterring aggression while preparing our forces to respond to crisis and conduct large-scale combat operations if necessary.
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.04.2021 04:09 |
| Story ID: | 395516 |
| Location: | ILLESHEIM, BAYERN, DE |
| Hometown: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 709 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 1st CAB Reaffirms American Partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina, by CPT Billy Lacroix, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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