Soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd
Infantry Division, will be part of the largest deployment of U.S.-based
forces to Europe for an exercise in the last 25 years.
DEFENDER-Europe 20 will increase strategic readiness and interoperability by
exercising the U.S. military's ability to rapidly deploy a large
combat-credible force and equipment from the United States to Europe; and
alongside its allies and partners, quickly respond to a potential crisis.
DEFENDER-Europe 20 confirms that the U.S. commitment to NATO and the defense
of Europe remains ironclad.
The joint, multinational training exercise is scheduled to take place from
April to May 2020, with personnel and equipment movements occurring from
February through July 2020. The exercise supports objectives defined by NATO
to build readiness between allies and partners, and deter potential
adversaries.
Approximately 37,000 U.S., allied, and partner nation service members are
expected to participate with roughly 4,000 coming from Fort Stewart's
"Spartan" Brigade.
"This exercise is a great opportunity to highlight the 3rd Infantry
Division's readiness and ability to deploy forces in supports of our
Nation's operations," said Maj. Gen. Tony Aguto, commander, 3rd Infantry
Division. "Our Dogface Soldiers are trained, ready and extremely excited to
be a part of this historic exercise."
This will be the first overseas exercise for the "Spartan" Brigade since
they converted from an infantry brigade combat team to an armored brigade
combat team last year. At the completion of their conversion they completed
Infantry Division, will be part of the largest deployment of U.S.-based
forces to Europe for an exercise in the last 25 years.
DEFENDER-Europe 20 will increase strategic readiness and interoperability by
exercising the U.S. military's ability to rapidly deploy a large
combat-credible force and equipment from the United States to Europe; and
alongside its allies and partners, quickly respond to a potential crisis.
DEFENDER-Europe 20 confirms that the U.S. commitment to NATO and the defense
of Europe remains ironclad.
The joint, multinational training exercise is scheduled to take place from
April to May 2020, with personnel and equipment movements occurring from
February through July 2020. The exercise supports objectives defined by NATO
to build readiness between allies and partners, and deter potential
adversaries.
Approximately 37,000 U.S., allied, and partner nation service members are
expected to participate with roughly 4,000 coming from Fort Stewart's
"Spartan" Brigade.
"This exercise is a great opportunity to highlight the 3rd Infantry
Division's readiness and ability to deploy forces in supports of our
Nation's operations," said Maj. Gen. Tony Aguto, commander, 3rd Infantry
Division. "Our Dogface Soldiers are trained, ready and extremely excited to
be a part of this historic exercise."
This will be the first overseas exercise for the "Spartan" Brigade since
they converted from an infantry brigade combat team to an armored brigade
combat team last year. At the completion of their conversion they completed
a rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.