Spain Port Operation kicks off DEFENDER 23
Two CH-47 Chinooks from 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, 244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, are staged before transport to a maintenance area and flown for Defender 23, at Naval Station 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.