Gallery and video: Alabama National Guard trains overseas with allied partners

From conducting CBRN operations alongside Italian and Macedonian soldiers in North Macedonia to recon operations alongside Norwegian soldiers in Norway to force protection in Greece, the Alabama National Guard (ALNG) has been putting in some valuable training time with U.S. allies and partner countries.

The collaboration is part of Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness 2025 (DEFENDER 25) exercises taking place May 11-June 24 in European and Arctic regions, between U.S. military and 29 allies and partner countries.

In Krivolak, North Macedonia, soldiers with the ALNG’s 31^st Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade worked alongside Italian and Macedonian soldiers on various CBRN operations.

The 31^st CBRN Brigade’s 151^st Chemical Battalion was at Camp Giannoulli, Greece, putting in force protection measures and establishing a mission command post.

In Norway, soldiers with the ALNG’s 20^th Special Forces Group worked with host nation counterparts to share tactic and techniques, deploy drones and conduct recon operations.

See the units in action in the video above and in the photo gallery below.

Note: Faces of the 20^th Special Forces Group are intentionally pixelated to hide their identities due to the nature of the unit’s operations.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. W Bochat, commanding general, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, center, takes a photo with multi-national Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) troops from the Italian Army, the Montenegrin Armed Forces, the Macedonian Army, and the U.S. Army after completing a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group raid a command post alongside Norwegian allies in Setermoen, Norway, on May 12, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct partner force training, exchanging tactics and techniques with Norwegian District 08 Home Guard soldiers in Setermoen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group are conducting special reconnaissance, gathering information for a large-scale airborne mission, during DEFENDER 25 at Moen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group are conducting special reconnaissance, gathering information for a large-scale airborne mission, during DEFENDER 25 at Moen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group are conducting special reconnaissance, gathering information for a large-scale airborne mission, during DEFENDER 25 at Moen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group are conducting special reconnaissance, gathering information for a large-scale airborne mission, during DEFENDER 25 at Moen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Norwegian soldiers launch an RQ-20 Puma to hunt a joint team composed of U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers and Norwegian Home Guard soldiers who are playing a real-world game of cat and mouse during DEFENDER 25 at Stermoen, Norway, on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Norwegian soldiers launch an RQ-20 Puma to hunt a joint team composed of U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers and Norwegian Home Guard soldiers who are playing a real-world game of cat and mouse during DEFENDER 25 at Stermoen, Norway, on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Norwegian soldiers launch an RQ-20 Puma to hunt a joint team composed of U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers and Norwegian Home Guard soldiers who are playing a real-world game of cat and mouse during DEFENDER 25 at Stermoen, Norway, on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Norwegian soldiers launch an RQ-20 Puma to hunt a joint team composed of U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group soldiers and Norwegian Home Guard soldiers who are playing a real-world game of cat and mouse during DEFENDER 25 at Stermoen, Norway, on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

Soldiers with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group are conducting special reconnaissance, gathering information for a large-scale airborne mission, during DEFENDER 25 at Moen, Norway on May 13, 2025. (Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class William Frye)

U.S. Army Soldiers 1st Lt. John Hood, left, and Spc. Kiandria Robinson, assigned to the 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade, Alabama Army National Guard, construct a concertina wire barrier around their mission command post during DEFENDER 25 at Camp Giannoulli, Greece, May 31, 2025. The 151st Chemical Battalion will conduct command and control for CBRN operations around the port of Alexandroupoli during DEFENDER 25. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Dustin Stewart)

U.S. Army Soldier 1st Lt. John Hood, assigned to the 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade, Alabama Army National Guard, places concertina wire around his units’ tactical operations center (TOC) during DEFENDER 25 at Camp Giannoulli, Greece, May 31, 2025. The TOC serves as a center point of the organization while conducting missions as part of DEFENDER 25. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Dustin Stewart)

U.S. Army Soldiers Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hamm, left, and 1st Lt. John Hood, assigned to the 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade, Alabama Army National Guard, secure concertina wire around the tactical operations center (TOC) during DEFENDER 25 at Camp Giannoulli, Greece, May 31, 2025. The 151st Chemical Battalion will conduct command and control for CBRN operations around the port of Alexandroupoli during DEFENDER 25. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Dustin Stewart)

U.S. Army Soldier 1st Sgt. Mark Baker, assigned to the 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear(CBRN) Brigade, Alabama Army National Guard, instructs Soldiers how to set up an entry control point outside a mission command post during DEFENDER 25 at Camp Giannoulli, Greece, May 31, 2025. Entry control points, in conjunction with other measures, increase operational security of sensitive areas. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Dustin Stewart)

U.S. Army Soldier 2nd Lt. Amanda Currey, assigned to the 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Brigade, Alabama Army National Guard, serves as the battalion assistant operations officer during DEFENDER 25 at Camp Giannoulli, Greece, May 31, 2025. 2nd Lt. Currey brings a unique perspective as a 2nd Lt., previously served as an enlisted Soldier for 15 years as a human resources specialist and a full-time recruiting and retention noncommissioned officer. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Dustin Stewart)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hamm, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear, Alabama Army National Guard, emplaces concertina wire to reinforce the perimeter security of the mission command post at Camp Giannouli, Greece, May 31, 2025. The use of concertina wire enhances force protection measures and denies unauthorized access in support of sustained command and control operations during DEFENDER 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ana Ortega)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. John Hood, left, and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hamm, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, Alabama Army National Guard, emplaces concertina wire around the perimeter of a mission command post at Camp Giannouli, Greece, May 31, 2025. The use of concertina wire enhances force protection measures and denies unauthorized access in support of sustained command and control operations during DEFENDER 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ana Ortega)

U.S. Army Spc. Kiandria Robinson, left, and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hamm, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, and Staff Sgt. Kayla Marie Hemm, 123rd Quartermaster Company, 31st Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Brigade, emplace concertina wire around the perimeter of a mission command post at Camp Giannouli, Greece, May 31, 2025. Concertina wire enhances force protection measures in support of multinational operations during exercise DEFENDER 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ana Ortega)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. John Hood and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hamm, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Brigade, Alabama Army National Guard, emplace concertina wire around the perimeter of a mission command post at Camp Giannouli, Greece, May 31, 2025. The use of concertina wire enhances force protection measures and denies unauthorized access in support of sustained command and control operations during DEFENDER 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ana Ortega)

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Amanda Currey, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, Alabama Army National Guard, speaks about her experience during Immediate Response 25 at Camp Giannouli, Greece, May 31, 2025. Interviews provide an opportunity for service members to communicate with various audiences, increasing transparency of military operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ana Ortega)

U.S. soldiers assigned to 690th Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Brigade, Alabama National Guard, set up a simulated Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive decontamination zone while being evaluated on their mission essential tasks, as part of immediate response during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 2, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Raul Boamah)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Joseph Nichols, 31st Chemical Brigade, Alabama National Guard, discusses upcoming reconnaissance, sampling, and decontamination missions with Macedonian Army OF 1 (lieutenant) Marija Mahajlovska, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Company, during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Macedonian Army OF 1 (lieutenant) Marija Mahajlovska, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Company, right, provides an overview of the multi-national training to Brig. Gen. W Bochat, commanding general, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Joseph Nichols, 31st Chemical Brigade, Alabama National Guard, provides an overview of multi-national training to Brig. Gen. W Bochat, commanding general, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

From left, Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 4 (corporal) Milos Vasovic and OR 2 (private) Mirko Ivanovic, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defence Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, prepare to conduct reconnaissance and sampling missions during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Assane Gueye, command sergeant major of the 83rd Chemical Battalion, second from right, engages with leadership from the Montenegrin Armed Forces, the Macedonian Army, and the Italian Army, during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Assane Gueye, command sergeant major of the 83rd Chemical Battalion, second from right, engages with leadership from the Macedonian and Italian Armies, during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

From left, Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 4 (corporal) Milos Vasovic, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defence Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, U.S. Army Spc. Luke Weaver, 208th CBRN Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, Alabama National Guard, Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Viktor Lazov, CBRN Defense Company, and Italian Army OR 4 (corporal) Garbriele Cadei, 7th CBRN Defense Regiment, conduct a reconnaissance mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Viktor Lazov, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Company, and U.S. Army Spc. Luke Weaver, 208th CBRN Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, Alabama National Guard, conduct a reconnaissance mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Viktor Lazov, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Company, conducts a reconnaissance mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

From left, Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 4 (corporal) Milos Vasovic, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defence Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, Macedonian Army OR 3 Viktor Lazov, CBRN Defense Company, U.S. Army Spc. Luke Weaver, 208th CBRN Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, Alabama National Guard, and Italian Army OR 4 Garbriele Cadei, 7th CBRN Defense Regiment, conduct a reconnaissance mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

U.S. Army Spc. Luke Weaver, 208th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, Alabama National Guard, conducts a reconnaissance mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

From left, Italian Army OR 4 (corporal) Garbriele Cadei, 7th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Regiment, Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Viktor Lazov, CBRN Defense Company, and Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 4 Milos Vasovic, CBRN Defence Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, conduct a reconnaissance mission during a CBRN exercise as U.S. Army Brig. Gen. W Bochat, commanding general, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, observes, during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

From left, Italian Army OR 4 (corporal) Garbriele Cadei, 7th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Regiment, Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 4 Milos Vasovic, CBRN Defence Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, and U.S. Army Spc. Luke Weaver, 208th CBRN Company, 151st Chemical Battalion, Alabama National Guard, conduct a reconnaissance mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

A multi-national Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance team made up of troops from the Italian Army, the Montenegrin Armed Forces, the Macedonian Army, and the U.S. Army head towards a decontamination point after conducting a reconnaissance mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

A multi-national Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance team made up of troops from the Italian Army, the Montenegrin Armed Forces, the Macedonian Army, and the U.S. Army are decontaminated after conducting a reconnaissance mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

A multi-national Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) sampling team made up of troops from the Italian Army, the Montenegrin Armed Forces, the Macedonian Army, and the U.S. Army begin their sampling mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

A multi-national Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) sampling team made up of troops from the Italian Army, the Montenegrin Armed Forces, the Macedonian Army, and the U.S. Army begin their sampling mission during a CBRN exercise as a part of Immediate Response 25 during DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

From left, U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Tuberville, 690th Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Brigade, Alabama National Guard, Italian Army OR 4 (specialist) Alessio Quintili, 7th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Regiment, and Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Toni Spasovski, CBRN Defense Company, conduct a sampling mission as U.S. Army Brig. Gen. W Bochat, commanding general, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, center, observes during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

From right, Italian Army OR 4 (specialist) Alessio Quintili, 7th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Regiment, Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Toni Spasovski, CBRN Defense Company, and Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 2 (private) Mirko Ivanovic, CBRN Defence Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, conduct a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

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. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

From right, Italian Army OR 4 (specialist) Alessio Quintili, 7th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Regiment, U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Tuberville, 690th Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Brigade, Alabama National Guard, Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Toni Spasovski, CBRN Defense Company, and Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 2 (private) Mirko Ivanovic, CBRN Defence Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, conduct a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

From right, Italian Army OR 4 (specialist) Alessio Quintili, 7th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Regiment, U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Tuberville, 690th Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Brigade, Alabama National Guard, Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Toni Spasovski, CBRN Defense Company, and Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 2 (private) Mirko Ivanovic, CBRN Defence Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, conduct a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Italian Army OR 4 (specialist) Alessio Quintili, 7th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Regiment, is decontaminated by the Macedonian Army, CBRN Defense Company decontamination team, after conducting a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Italian Army OR 4 (specialist) Alessio Quintili, 7th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Regiment, is decontaminated by the Macedonian Army, CBRN Defense Company decontamination team, after conducting a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Toni Spasovski, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Company, is decontaminated by the Macedonian Army, CBRN Defense Company decontamination team, after conducting a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 2 (private) Mirko Ivanovic, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, is decontaminated by the Macedonian Army, CBRN Defense Company decontamination team, after conducting a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 2 (private) Mirko Ivanovic, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, is decontaminated by the Macedonian Army, CBRN Defense Company decontamination team, after conducting a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 2 (private) Mirko Ivanovic, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, is decontaminated by the Macedonian Army, CBRN Defense Company decontamination team, after conducting a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 2 (private) Mirko Ivanovic, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, is decontaminated by the Macedonian Army, CBRN Defense Company decontamination team, after conducting a sampling mission during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. W Bochat, commanding general, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command, presents a command coin to Montenegrin Armed Forces OR 2 (private) Mirko Ivanovic, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Platoon of the Infantry Battalion, for his efforts in a multi-national CBRNE exercise during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. W Bochat, commanding general, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command, presents a command coin to Macedonian Army OR 3 (private 1st class) Viktor Lazov, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Company, for his efforts in a multi-national CBRNE exercise during Immediate Response 25 as a part of DEFENDER 25, Krivolak Training Area, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 3, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michaela C.P. Granger)