{"id":16208,"date":"2023-06-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=16208"},"modified":"2023-06-23T06:47:31","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T06:47:31","slug":"public-affairs-flexes-strategic-communication-capabilities-during-defender-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=16208","title":{"rendered":"Public affairs flexes strategic communication capabilities during DEFENDER 23"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"editor-image photo-slideshow\">\n<figure class=\"photo cur-photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/7e08169e\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">1 \/ 9<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Army Maj. Vonnie Wright, public affairs officer, 21st Theater Sustainment Command public affairs (r) stands ready to support (from l to r) 30th Medical Brigade Commander Col. Jordan V. Henderson, III; Medical Operations Division Chief and Command Nurse, Office of the USAFE\/AFAFRICA Surgeon, Col. Scott R. Tonko; and U.S. Air Force 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Commander Col. Vanessa Moses, as they field questions from German and American journalists invited to the Hospital Exercise 23 media day at Ramstein Air Force Base, Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, June 6, 2023.  U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army public affairs specialists coordinated the media day to showcase joint force and Ally interoperability. Joint force and Ally public affairs collaboration during DEFENDER 23 covered diverse and geographically dispersed exercises under tight deadlines. HOSPEX 23 was a joint, multinational hospital exercise that took place May 22 to June 9, 2023 led by the 30th Medical Brigade to evaluate and train deployed medical capabilities. It was part of the DEFENDER 23-linked exercise, Saber Guardian 23. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Eleanor Prohaska)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/7e08169e\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/04a93949\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Public affairs flexes strategic communication capabilities during DEFENDER 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-318.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">2 \/ 9<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Kirk Frady, public affairs director for Medical Readiness Command, Europe, preps German and American journalists invited to the Hospital Exercise 23 media day at Ramstein Air Force Base, Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, June 6, 2023.  U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army public affairs specialists coordinated the media day to showcase joint force and Ally interoperability. Joint force and Ally public affairs collaboration during DEFENDER 23 covered diverse and geographically dispersed exercises under tight deadlines. HOSPEX 23 was a joint, multinational hospital exercise that took place May 22 to June 9, 2023 led by the 30th Medical Brigade to evaluate and train deployed medical capabilities. It was part of the DEFENDER 23-linked exercise, Saber Guardian 23. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Eleanor Prohaska)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/04a93949\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/bbad6443\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Public affairs flexes strategic communication capabilities during DEFENDER 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-319.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">3 \/ 9<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Army Spc. Jeremy Hill (r), mass communication specialists, 10th Mountain Division public affairs, photographs Maj. James Maskovyak, 405th Army Field Support Brigade, BENELUX  Battalion executive officer as he fields questions from  German, Romanian and British reporters during a media day at Mihail Kog\u0103lniceanu Air Base, Romania, May 19, 2023. Romanian and U.S. Army public affairs specialists coordinated the media day to showcase U.S. Army and Ally ability to safely, effectively and rapidly transport, issue, and recover identified Army prepositioned stock equipment to forward locations and conduct equipment configuration and handoff area operations while setting conditions for gaining tactical units\u2019 DEFENDER 23 training objectives.  Joint force and Ally public affairs collaboration during DEFENDER 23 covered diverse and geographically dispersed exercises under tight deadlines. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Eleanor Prohaska)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/bbad6443\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/e56a8c11\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Public affairs flexes strategic communication capabilities during DEFENDER 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-320.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">4 \/ 9<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Army Cpt. Avery Smith, public affairs officer, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (r), provides a supplemental media prep session to 405th Army Field Support Brigade, BENELUX  Battalion subject matter experts (l to r), Charles Sherwood, Maj. James Maskovyak and Scott Schneider before international reporters arrive for a media day at Mihail Kog\u0103lniceanu Air Base, Romania, May 19, 2023. Romanian and U.S. Army public affairs specialists coordinated the media day to showcase U.S. Army and Ally ability to safely, effectively and rapidly transport, issue, and recover identified Army prepositioned stock equipment to forward locations and conduct equipment configuration and handoff area operations while setting conditions for gaining tactical units\u2019 DEFENDER 23 training objectives.  Media were given access to subject matter experts and observed 405th the AFSBn-BENELUX issue multi-role bridge equipment to 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company to support the Saber Guardian 23 wet gap crossings that took place in Fecatei and Bordusani, Romania June 5-6, 2023. Joint force and Ally Public Affairs collaboration during DEFENDER 23 covered diverse and geographically dispersed exercises under tight deadlines. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Eleanor Prohaska)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/e56a8c11\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/7722e904\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Public affairs flexes strategic communication capabilities during DEFENDER 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-321.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">5 \/ 9<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                From r to l: U.S. Army Cpt. Avery Smith, public affairs officer, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and U.S. Army Maj. James Maskovyak, 405th Army Field Support Brigade, BENELUX  Battalion, prepare for media interviews at Mihail Kog\u0103lniceanu Air Base, Romania, as Josh Rojas, director of public affairs for Army Support Activity-Black Sea, photographs the scene May 19, 2023. Romanian and U.S. Army public affairs specialists coordinated the media day to showcase U.S. Army and Ally ability to safely, effectively and rapidly transport, issue, and recover identified Army prepositioned stock equipment to forward locations and conduct equipment configuration and handoff area operations while setting conditions for gaining tactical units\u2019 DEFENDER 23 training objectives.  Media were given access to subject matter experts and observed 405th the AFSBn-BENELUX issue multi-role bridge equipment to 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company to support the Saber Guardian 23 wet gap crossings that took place in Fecatei and Bordusani, Romania June 5-6, 2023. Joint force and Ally public affairs collaboration during DEFENDER 23 covered diverse and geographically dispersed exercises under tight deadlines. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Eleanor Prohaska)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/7722e904\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/5d406f53\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Public affairs flexes strategic communication capabilities during DEFENDER 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-322.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">6 \/ 9<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                U.S. Army Sgt. Alexander Chatoff, mass communications specialist, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and U.S. Army Spc. Jeremy Hill, mass communications specialist, 10th Mountain Division public affairs, discuss coverage of the media day at Mihail Kog\u0103lniceanu Air Base, Romania, May 19, 2023. Romanian and U.S. Army public affairs specialists coordinated the event to showcase U.S. Army and Ally ability to safely, effectively and rapidly transport, issue, and recover identified Army prepositioned stock equipment to forward locations and conduct equipment configuration and handoff area operations while setting conditions for gaining tactical units\u2019 DEFENDER 23 training objectives.  Media were given access to subject matter experts and observed 405th the AFSBn-BENELUX issue multi-role bridge equipment to 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company to support the Saber Guardian 23 wet gap crossings that took place in Fecatei and Bordusani, Romania June 5-6, 2023. Joint force and Ally public affairs collaboration during DEFENDER 23 covered diverse and geographically dispersed exercises under tight deadlines. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Eleanor Prohaska)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/5d406f53\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/dc3634d8\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Public affairs flexes strategic communication capabilities during DEFENDER 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-323.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">7 \/ 9<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                Josh Rojas, director of public affairs for Army Support Activity-Black Sea and U.S. Army Cpt. Avery Smith, public affairs officer, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, respond to reporters\u2019 questions during a media day at Mihail Kog\u0103lniceanu Air Base, Romania, May 19, 2023. Romanian and U.S. Army public affairs specialists coordinated the event to showcase U.S. Army and Ally ability to safely, effectively and rapidly transport, issue, and recover identified Army prepositioned stock equipment to forward locations and conduct equipment configuration and handoff area operations while setting conditions for gaining tactical units\u2019 DEFENDER 23 training objectives.  Public Affairs collaboration during DEFENDER 23 covered diverse and geographically dispersed exercises under tight deadlines. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Eleanor Prohaska)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/dc3634d8\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/388dcf61\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Public affairs flexes strategic communication capabilities during DEFENDER 23\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-324.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">8 \/ 9<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                From left to right: Lt. Col. Dan Crisan, Public Affairs Section of the Romanian Defense Staff; U.S. Army Spc. Jeremy Hill, 10th Mountain mass communications specialist, and Staff Sgt. Narcisa Tuta, Romanian Defense public affairs, pause their coverage of media day activities to take a group photo at Mihail Kog\u0103lniceanu Air Base, Romania, May 19, 2023.  Romanian and U.S. Army public affairs coordinated the media day to showcase U.S. Army and Ally ability to safely, effectively and rapidly transport, issue, and recover identified Army prepositioned stock equipment to forward locations and conduct equipment configuration and handoff area operations while setting conditions for gaining tactical units\u2019 DEFENDER 23 training objectives.  Media were given access to subject matter experts and observed 405th Army Field Support Brigade-Benelux issue multi-role bridge equipment to 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company to support the Saber Guardian 23 wet gap crossings that took place in Fecatei and Bordusani, Romania June 5-6, 2023. Public Affairs collaboration during DEFENDER 23 covered diverse and geographically dispersed exercises under tight deadlines. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Eleanor Prohaska)<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/388dcf61\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"photo\">\n          <span class=\"centered-image\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"img-container\"><br \/>\n              <a class=\"rich-text-img-link\" href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/153f6174\/original.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Know Your Defender: 1st Lt. Joseph Williams\" src=\"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/size0-full-325.jpg\" \/><br \/>\n              <\/a><br \/>\n                              <span class=\"ss-move ss-prev\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"ss-move ss-next\"><br \/>\n                  <span class=\"ss-move-button\"><\/span><br \/>\n                <\/span><br \/>\n                          <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/span><figcaption>\n                          <span class=\"image-count\">9 \/ 9<\/span><br \/>\n              <span class=\"image-caption-button\"><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-hide\">Show Caption +<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-button-text caption-button-show\">Hide Caption \u2013<\/span><br \/>\n              <\/span><br \/>\n                        <span class=\"image-caption\"><br \/>\n              <span class=\"caption-text\"><br \/>\n                1st Lt. Joseph Williams, 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, briefs media covering the MRBC equipment issue in support of Saber Guardian 2023 at Mihail Kog\u0103lniceanu  Air Base, Romania, May 19, 2023. Williams oversees the 50th Multi-Role Bridge Tactical Operation Center throughout the duration of Saber Guardian 2023, a DEFENDER 23-linked exercise.<\/p>\n<p>DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF\u2019s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF\u2019s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.<br \/>\n                <span class=\"caption-author\"> (Photo Credit: Eleanor Prohaska)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<p><\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/api.army.mil\/e2\/c\/images\/2023\/06\/22\/153f6174\/original.jpg\" title=\"View original\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a><br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n          <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?<\/p>\n<p>If more than 24,000 Service Members from 20 nations participate in a large-scale global exercise, and no one reports on it, does it send a message?<\/p>\n<p>The debate about falling trees is ongoing, but there is no arguing the need for accurate reporting during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led exercise DEFENDER 23. The European continent-wide exercise took place April 22 to June 23, 2023, with significant activity in the Balkans and Romania.<\/p>\n<p>As U.S. and Allied Soldiers came together to train as they fight, so too did joint force and multinational public affairs professionals collaborate to ensure the public, especially communities where training took place, received truthful information regarding their activities.<\/p>\n<p>Public affairs efforts directly supported the DEFENDER 23 mission to deter adversaries as the nested exercises Swift Response 23, Immediate Response 23 and Saber Guardian 23 transformed operational mission command, built readiness, and strengthened the Alliance in the United States European Command\u2019s area of responsibility.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are hundreds of DEFENDER 23 stories that speak to mission success,\u201d said 21st Theater Sustainment Command public affairs officer Maj. Vonnie Wright. \u201cIt\u2019s our job to make sure they get told. It\u2019s the best part of my career field and what made me want to join this functional area.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Those stories include Croatians taking the lead for logistic operations moving U.S. military equipment for the first time as Soldiers from the Croatian Support Command unloaded the Minnesota National Guard\u2019s 34th Infantry Division equipment from a Croatian naval ship at Zadar Ga\u017eenica for onward movement to Udbina Air Base, Croatia.<\/p>\n<p>Wright and the 319th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment worked with Cabinet of Croatian Chief of General Staff Sgt. Maj. Boris Brdari\u0107, STRATCOM NCO, to coordinate coverage of the historic event. Brdari\u0107 said it was a privilege to work with them as well as 205th Theater Public Affairs Support Element and 34th ID PAO during DEFENDER 23.  As the Croatian public affairs coordinator, Brdari\u0107 was in contact with his country\u2019s Ministry of Defense PAO and more than 15 Croatian media outlets, providing them information on DEFENDER 23, reaching far more audiences with more relevant messages than the U.S. Army could develop and disseminate on its own.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSharing ideas, best practices and background info is key, crucial, in fighting our adversaries in the field of StratCom [strategic communications],\u201d said Brdari\u0107.  He said the opportunity to work with U.S. Army public affairs personnel in the field was valuable experience for his team.<\/p>\n<p>Brdari\u0107 said one of his favorite DEFENDER 23 experiences, and an example of the value of collaboration, was being able to showcase exercise highlights during a distinguished visitors day in Udbina.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe couldn\u2019t make such effective videos without content from U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force PAOs who were covering DEFENDER 23 activities all over the theater,\u201d said Brdari\u0107.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to building interoperability and relationships with Allies, U.S. Army PAO worked with their counterparts in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force to highlight joint force efforts, such as HOSPEX 23.  Led by the 30th Medical Brigade, HOSPEX 23 evaluated and trained deployed medical capabilities with Allies, supported by the U.S. Air Force 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron simulating medical evacuations on a C130J from Romania to Ramstein Air Force Base. Public affairs personnel from 21st TSC, U.S. Air Force Europe-Air Force Africa, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein AFB and Medical Readiness Command Europe collaborated on a media day that gave U.S. and international media access to the Ramstein AFB flight line as well as senior leaders from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. The result was extensive international media coverage of a successful Ally and joint force effort.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe experience working with my fellow PAOs during DEFENDER 23, and specifically the HOSPEX, is an example of a successful joint communications activity across the services,\u201d said Cpt. Jose Davis, Media Operations Division, HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs.<\/p>\n<p>Davis said today\u2019s dense information environment makes networking with other PAOs, across forces and with Allies, essential.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are really pushing at integrating and not just being interoperable, but being interchangeable,\u201d said Davis. \u201cWe\u2019re not just producing content for the U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Army, we are producing content for NATO, for an alliance of countries.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said the 21st TSC, Army Support Activity-Black Sea, the U.S. Air Force and Romanian PAO working together to cover the HOSPEX was a perfect paradigm on working collaboratively in a common information environment to communicate a common operation.<\/p>\n<p>A significant amount of planning and coordination went into helping media communicate an accurate and compelling DEFENDER 23 narrative.  Media days in various countries throughout DEFENDER 23, gave reporters access to senior leaders and subject matter experts\u2014briefed and prepped by public affairs staff\u2014and opportunities to see equipment up close. According to Wright, these special media events helped shape the narrative and enhance media relations.<\/p>\n<p>They included a May 19, 2023 media day at Mihail Kog\u0103lniceanu Air Base in Romania.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEmploying Army Prepositioned Stocks was a DEFENDER 23 focus,\u201d said Wright. \u201cInviting media to observe the 405th Army Field Support Brigade issue prepositioned stock to the 50th Multi Role Bridge Company in support of the Saber Guardian 23 wet gap crossings amplified our ability to rapidly deploy equipment to support a large combat-credible force from within Europe as well as from the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The event was a collaboration between PAO from the Romania Defense Staff, 21st TSC, Army Support Activity-Black Sea, and 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, which led Saber Guardian 23 public affairs planning. 10th Mountain Division, deployed for DEFENDER 23, also supported.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe coordination of any media day requires a great deal of work and, foremost, teamwork,\u201d said Lt. Col. Dan Crisan, Public Affairs Section of the Romanian Defense Staff.  He said he felt fortunate to be able to join forces with U.S Army public affairs to conduct a successful event.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe delivered in terms of accomplishing our goals and we delivered news to local, national and international media,\u201d said Crisan.<\/p>\n<p>7th MPAD team leader Cpt. Avery Smith, said collaboration helps public affairs cover diverse and geographically dispersed exercises under tight deadlines to counter mis\/disinformation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur stakeholders should be receiving information quickly and accurately before our adversaries have the chance to spin reality into their own propaganda efforts,\u201d said Smith. \u201cAlthough time is a challenge for us, it is also a challenge for our adversaries, and how we spend our time in the information space will determine who better shapes the narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Relationships are essential to meeting that PAO mission, according to Josh Rojas, director of public affairs for ASA-Black Sea, who along with community relations specialist Oana Copaceanu, developed a strong working relationship with Smith during his deployment at MK Air Base, and enthusiastically supported DEFENDER 23.<\/p>\n<p>The strong teamwork was evident during at least two different media days hosted at MK Air Base during DEFENDER 23.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf there was an exercise or a media event that had to be coordinated, we did everything in our power to make sure those exercises would go off without a hitch,\u201d said Rojas. \u201cWe are proud to say that we were able to provide support for V Corps, 7th MPAD, 21st TSC and the 519th Hospital Center with various exercises throughout DEFENDER 23.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In all, U.S. military public affairs personnel posted nearly 5,000 DEFENDER 23 photos, articles and videos to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, documenting history and growing relationships with their colleagues across forces and with Allies. Along with the external coverage generated by media days, press releases and other outreach activities, public affairs personnel made sure the DEFENDER 23 message\u2014that the U.S. is a coalescing force in Europe improving interoperability and readiness and strengthening resolve across the Alliance\u2014resounded around the globe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are stronger together and working side by side we became even stronger,\u201d said Crisan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1 \/ 9 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 U.S. Army Maj. Vonnie Wright, public affairs officer, 21st Theater Sustainment Command public affairs (r) stands ready to support (from l to r) 30th Medical Brigade Commander Col. Jordan V. Henderson, III; Medical Operations Division Chief and Command Nurse, Office of the USAFE\/AFAFRICA Surgeon, Col. Scott [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":16210,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16208"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16208\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16220,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16208\/revisions\/16220"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}