King of Battle IN ACTION: 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment

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2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment is a 3x4 M777A2 Battalion aligned with the Illinois Army National Guard. Recent, 2/123 FAR completed an overseas deployment training (ODT) mission supporting Defender 24, Immediate Response 24 in Ustka, Poland. 

DEFENDER 24 is the largest US Army exercise in Europe and includes more than 17,000 US troops and 23,000 multinational service members from over 20 Allied and partner nations. Linked to NATO's Steadfast Defender 24 exercise, it is comprised of three sub-exercises: Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response.

DEFENDER 24 focuses on the strategic deployment of continental, U.S.-based forces, employment of U.S. Army prepositioned stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners at exercise locations across 13 European countires. It seeks to deter adversaries, transform operational mission command, build readiness, and strengthen the NATO Alliance. 

As a part of Immediate Response 24, 2/123 FAR supported the 29 ID through live fires and fires planning to support a multinational gap crossing.  Lt. Col Jeremy Miles, battalion commander, stated in an article following the exercise that “One thing that we’re building that’s key here is our continued relationship with Poland,”. The Illinois National Guard and Poland have a long standing partnership over the last 30 years through the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program. 

Showcasing their skills at putting fast and accurate rounds downrange, 2nd Battalion 123rd Field Artillery shows us what it's like to be "The King of Battle" IN ACTION. 

Read more about Defender 24 and the 2/123 FAR at these sources:

All images credited to 2/123 FAR.