State Partnership Program

Video by Sgt. Chandler Coats

U.S. participates in multinational Live-Fire Exercise in Bulgaria during Immediate Response 25

U.S. Army Europe and Africa

June 12, 2025 | 0:28

U.S. Soldiers, alongside Bulgarian, Romanian and Italian military personnel, conducted live-fire exercises as part of Immediate Response 25 at Koren Training Area, Bulgaria, June 7, 2025. As a direct link to Immediate Response, Balkan Sentinel consisted of a battalion from the U.S. Army 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, one Forward Land Forces (FLF) multinational battlegroup and the Bulgarian Land Forces Command conducting a battalion-level live-fire exercise at Novo Selo Training Area and Koren Training Area. The FLF is one of eight battlegroups contributing to NATO’s forward presence and is hosted by Bulgaria, with Italy being the framework nation. U.S. Air Force video footage captured by Staff Sgt. Karla Parra. Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Chandler Coats)