Spain Port Operation kicks off DEFENDER 23
U.S. Army Reseve Staff Sgt. Matthew Zink, aviation quality control, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, 244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, and Navy Seaman Lloyd Cuesto, logistics specialist, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center - Rota, secure aviation equipment on transport vehicles for Defender 23 in Rota, Spain, April 6, 2023. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF’s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF’s operational reach.