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Exercise Swift Response 22
by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley
June 10, 2022
U.S. and NATO allies took part in Exercise
Swift Response 2022, which is an annual multinational training
exercise that was held from May 2-22, 2022 throughout Eastern
Europe, the Arctic High North, Baltics and Balkans.
The
purpose of Exercise Swift Response is to build Military Strategic
Readiness in support of NATO defense strategy/deterrence objectives
and to enhance relationships and interoperability with partners and
allies. This exercise includes approximately 9,000 participants from
17 Allied and partner nations that take place at locations in
Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and North Macedonia.
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Maj. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, third from the left, is met by Maj. Brent Stolzoff, officer in charge of the medical portion of Joint Forcible Entry Norway during Swift Response 22, from 16th Sustainment Brigade, prior to a guided tour during Swift Response 2022 at the Hollander drop zone, Norway
on May 10, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort)
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“U.S. Army Europe and Africa units
routinely conduct exercises with European Allies and partners in the
European theater,” stated the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) Public
Affairs (ECPA) and the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of
Defense Public Affairs (OASD/PA). “Swift Response is conducted
annually and has been very successful in both enhancing
interoperability between Allies and regional partners, and improving
joint operational capability across a variety of mission sets.”
Across the European theater various units from U.S. and NATO
allies completed many missions, from Air Assault Operations,
Airborne Operations, Airstrip seizures and much more. The 173rd
Airborne Infantry Brigade Combat Team was one of many units to
experience training alongside NATO allies beginning in Latvia.
“The unit is eager to participate in swift response not only to
experience the exercise but to learn from other NATO allies,” stated
1st Lt. Hector Perez, 2-503rd “The Rock”, 173rd Airborne IBCT based
in Vicenza, Italy. “To experience their culture, to experience and
see how they fight and how they think not only in a tactical manner
but in an operational manner.”
While some training varied
country to country due to weather and terrain, units were still able
to adapt and work together with NATO allies and partners. While in
Norway, many other forces were able to take part in a Norwegian foot
march which required each participant to complete a 18.6 mile ruck
march with a 25 lb. ruck sack in 4 hours and 30 minutes or less.
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Paratroopers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (Airborne) prepare to step off for a Norwegian Foot March during Exercise Swift Response 2022
at Lake Altevatnet, Norway on May 15, 2022. The Norwegian Foot March is an 18.6 mile foot march completed while carrying a 25 pound rucksack. The Paratroopershad to get to the finish line in 4 hours. For those who completed the event they earned the Norwegian Foot March pin.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc Kendall Lewis, 40th Public Affairs Detachment)
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“Norwegian military members will host these
events in the U.S. and U.S. military bases, but to get to do it in
Norway is a real honor,” said 1st Lt. Patrick Sutherland, who is
assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division,
based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. “The
Norwegians have been amazing hosts to us, we hope someday we can
return the favor if they come to the U.S.”
In addition to
completing various missions, in North Macedonia, U.S. and NATO
partners found different ways to directly connect the military and
the local civilian population. A static air display drew in crowds
of over 30,000 people to view U.S. and NATO aircrafts up close and
to observe a fly-over by An A-10C Thunderbolt II Aircraft from the
175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard.
“The static air display was one of the best
experiences in my entire military career,” remarked Sgt. Jack Trapp,
an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer assigned to the 7-17th Air
Cavalry Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade. “I got the opportunity to
not only speak with the local nationals here in North Macedonia, but
also with operators and maintainers of various aircrafts in the NATO
forces; The best part was getting to sit down with the youth and the
families and civilians of North Macedonia.”
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U.S. and NATO allies utilized CH-47 Chinooks from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade for an Air Assault Operation during DV-Day as part of Exercise Swift Response on May 12, 2022 at Krivolak Training Area, North Macedonia. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley, 40th Public Affairs Detachment.)
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While Exercise Swift Response was conducted
throughout various countries and executed by service members from a
multitude of regions, they were able to accomplish many common goals
together.
“It was a great proof of concept that NATO allies
can rapidly deploy and work together in an unknown environment,”
stated Ljupcho Andreevski, Office of Defense
Cooperation, U.S. Embassy Skopje, North Macedonia and Planner for
Swift Response 22. “Besides being a great training event, SR22 sent
a message of NATO readiness, interoperability, and unity to work as
one.”
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