190614-Z-GR156-0268

Texas Army National Guard paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade prepare to conduct a static-line jump on a C-17 Globemaster III June 14, 2019, near Boboc Drop Zone, Romania. The joint forcible entry operation was held during exercise Swift Response 19, to simulate a contested battlefield scenario as a way of training units for dangerous situations that can occur while deployed. Hundreds of other soldiers were sequentially airdropped by aircraft from Canada, Italy, Spain, NATO and other U.S. units. Swift Response is a U.S. Army Europe-led exercise designed to train the U.S. Global Response Force, taking place from June 13-25 at various locations in Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania. The combined training opportunities that the exercise provides greatly improve interoperability among participating allies and partners. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)