149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Talk Importance of Joint Training

Credit: Maj. Brandin Walker | Date Taken: 05/10/2024
Col Bandye Williams, commander of 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard located in Richmond, Kentucky, talks about the importance of the joint training exercise with our NATO Allies. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Col. Williams also talks about Soldiers within her command having the opportunity to visit countries outside of the United States, some for the first time. DEFENDER is a Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, and is a U.S. European Command scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted exercise that consists of Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. DEFENDER 24 is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise, and DoD’s Large Scale Global Exercise, taking place from 28 March to 31 May. DEFENDER 24 is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe and includes more than 17,000 U.S. and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 Allied and partner nations, including Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. (U.S. Army video by Maj. Brandin Walker)