RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- C-130H Hercules assigned to the 142nd Airlift Squadron, 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard, New Castle Air National Guard Base, Delaware, and C-130H Hercules assigned to the 165th Airlift Squadron, 123th Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville International Airport, Kentucky, arrived at Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of the Immediate Response 2019 exercise.
Immediate Response is a multinational exercise, co-led by Croatian Armed Forces, Slovenian Armed Forces and U.S. Army Europe, taking place from May 10 - June 7, 2019, at various locations throughout Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia. The objectives of this exercise are to build multinational, regional, and joint readiness; enhance mil-to-mil relationships; and improve interoperability between the land forces to provide mutual assurance, deter regional aggression, and support a balanced approach to security and stability in the Balkan region.
The exercise will include approximately 6,000 participants from 15 nations including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Highlights of Immediate Response 19 include several airborne jumps, air assaults, medical training, and the establishment and integration of a multinational battalion with forces from several nations.
Our U.S. presence will continue to galvanize our commitment to security throughout the Balkan region. Training with regional allies and partners makes us all more prepared to respond to emerging threats.
For more information about U.S. Air Force participation in Immediate Response, contact U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Public Affairs at +49 06371-47-6558 or e-mail usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.