USAFRICOM response force hones capability in air-ground integration exercise

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USAFRICOM response force hones capability in air-ground integration exercise

A 173rd Airborne Brigade Soldier, assigned to U.S. Africa Command’s North and West Africa Response Force (NARF), provides security during an Air Ground Integration exercise, Dec. 7, 2021, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The exercise strengthened the capability of the NARF to respond to crisis and protect American interests in Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)

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Photo by: Maj. Cain Claxton 

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USAFRICOM response force hones capability in air-ground integration exercise

173rd Airborne Brigade Soldiers assigned to U.S. Africa Command’s North and West Africa Response Force disembark Marines Corps MV-22 Ospreys during an air-ground integration exercise Dec. 7, 2021, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The exercise strengthened the capability of the NARF to respond to crisis and protect American interests in Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)

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Photo by: Maj. Cain Claxton 

VICENZA, Italy -- Members of the U.S. Africa Command North and West Africa Response Force conducted and air-to-ground integration exercise near Aviano, Italy, Dec. 7-9.

Soldiers of the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) joined with U.S. Marines from Naval Air Station Sigonella and U.S. Airmen on drop zones near Aviano Air Base, Italy, to improve crisis response capabilities.

The training included multiple air insertion and airborne operations involving Army paratroopers aboard U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys.

"My unit's involvement has been doing CASEVAC as well as tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel," said Capt. Collin Buesser, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM-365). "We're also doing air drop with a lot of the Soldiers out here. We're trying to get involved with both the Army and the Air Force to make sure everybody is on the same page for this joint mission."

The NARF supports USAFRICOM requirement to respond to crises and contingencies on a moment's notice in North and West Africa. Regular exercises ensure the joint team's capability to marshal and deploy with a scalable force package in support of U.S. persons, facilities and interests in Africa.