JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- This May, across various countries in Europe, members from Team McChord participate in Exercise Swift Response 24 and set the global example for readiness in modern warfare. As we close the curtain on this multifaceted training exercise military forces from various nations converge to hone their skills and strengthen bonds, all in the pursuit of bolstering North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s collective defense capabilities.
"Swift Response 24 is focused on training for the 'high-end fight' while enabling the Combined Joint ground forces commanders to execute their priorities,” said Col. Patrick McClintock, the 62d Airlift Wing air mission commander for this exercise. “More specifically, Air Mobility Forces have been training for Combined Joint Forcible Entry operations, building interoperability with our Allies and partners and demonstrating NATO’s ability to project combat power to contested regions.”
Air Mobility Forces, spearheaded by the 8th Airlift Squadron, have been at the forefront of these efforts, executing Combined Joint Forcible Entry with several of our NATO partners.
"The users for these airdrops span the spectrum across various joint services and our Allies and partners. Additionally, these airdrops have relied on critical support from a team spanning across an even wider swath of the Air Force, sister Services, and Allies and partners,” said McClintock.
The scope of Swift Response 24 is as vast as the continent of Europe itself. From the rugged terrain of Sweden to the plains of Italy, each location presented a unique set of challenges and opportunities.
One of the primary objectives of Swift Response 24 is to foster interoperability among Allies and partners. This is achieved through a series of meticulously planned scenarios that not only test of abilities of participating forces but focuses on building multinational skillsets.
Swift Response serves as a certifying event for the participating 62d AW teams. Whether it's navigating dense forests or traversing mountainous terrain, the scenarios encountered in this exercise are key to preparing the wing to win.
“These operations have been conducted across a wide geographic range with each location presenting a unique combination of obstacles. These obstacles require distinctive and sometimes novel solutions. Any one of these locations could be representative of where the Combined Joint Force is called to defend and present great training opportunities for the entire powerhouse team out here,” said McClintock.
As the exercise unfolds, the numbers speak volumes about the scale and scope of Swift Response 24. Dozens of missions executed, hundreds of paratroopers deployed, and thousands of pounds of cargo transported—all testament to the unwavering commitment of NATO forces to readiness and preparedness. From Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., to the farthest reaches of Europe, Swift Response 24 is more than just a training exercise; it's a testament to the resolve and resilience of the NATO alliance in the face of emerging threats and challenges.
Swift Response 24 is scheduled to take place through May 31st and is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender Exercise as well as national Exercises Spring Strike.