By Sgt. 1st. Class Kelvin Ringold, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Public Affairs Office
FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas – The 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command will support U.S. Army Europe during DEFENDER 20.
This 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 within the alliance and deter potential adversaries, and strengthens international partnerships and develops the 13th’s interoperability between NATO and partner nations.
The 13th ESC will provide mission command of sustainment operations in the Joint Operations Area. The exercise will provide the 13th ESC, 61st Quartermaster Battalion, 49th Transportation Battalion, 297th Transportation Company and the 553rd Field Feeding Company the opportunity to display the logistics and sustainment expertise they bring to the warfighter.
“This is a great opportunity for the 13th ESC to showcase their talents on an international scale to our NATO Allies,” said Brig. Gen. Darren L. Werner, 13th ESC’s Commanding General. “More importantly, this exercise strengthens international partnerships and exercises the 13th’s interoperability between NATO and our partner nations.”
With more than 37,000 allied and U.S. service members anticipated to participate, including more than 20,000 U.S. service members deploying from the U.S., the series of activities comprising DEFENDER 20 and linked exercises will be the largest deployment of U.S.-based Army forces to Europe for an exercise in the last 25 years.
The 13th ESC will assist in moving the flux of forces in, around and eventually out of the Eastern European region, in addition to conducting logistical support throughout the exercise. Although the headquarters will operate out of central Poland, the logistical requirements will extend to the ally and partner nations across the region.
The purpose of the exercise is to increase readiness and interoperability by testing the U.S. military’s ability to rapidly deploy a large combat-credible force and equipment from the U.S. to Europe, and alongside our allies and partners, quickly respond to a potential crisis. The 13th ESC looks forward to providing the logistical expertise of its soldiers to support this purpose.
More information about DEFENDER 20 can be found here: https://www.eur.army.mil/DefenderEurope/
