ZAGAN, Poland  –   Soldiers with the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion, 308th Civil Affairs Brigade, 353rd Civil Affairs Command, met with local civic leaders to discuss Defender 20 and the impact of the exercise on the local communities in Zagan, Poland on February 6, 2020.

Army Staff Sgt. Kirby Karnes, a team chief with the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion, and Army Sgt. Cody Rauch, a civil affairs specialist also with the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion presented information on Defender 20 and fielded questions from community leaders including mayors, journalists, and representatives from local fire and police agencies.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Sebastian Kulesza, the deputy mayor of Zagan, Poland, spoke with fellow community leaders as well as Karnes about the possibilities that Defender 20 will bring to local Polish communities.

Defender 20 is a United States Army Europe led joint multinational training exercise that will involve the participation of allies and partners from 19 countries. The exercise will increase readiness and interoperability by testing the U.S. military’s ability to rapidly deploy a large combat- credible force and equipment from the U.S. to Europe, and alongside partners and allies, respond to a potential crisis.