NATO paratroopers drop over Europe for exercise Swift Response

In the largest airborne operation since World War II, paratroopers from France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain participated in exercise Swift Response, carrying out jumps in Estonia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Sweden. This demonstrated their capability to execute complex operations on short notice.

Airborne operations demand precise timing and exceptional skill from both pilots and paratroopers. Their ability to deploy hundreds of soldiers behind enemy lines makes them a crucial strategic asset for NATO Allies. Due to the challenging nature of these missions, regular training is essential to maintain proficiency.

For this reason, the United States leads Swift Response, an annual airborne exercise that unites Allies to deploy paratroopers across Europe. These joint drills help Allies become familiar with each other’s tactics, enhancing their coordination and readiness in the event of a crisis.

“Paratroopers, you can bring them very quickly to commence an operation or conduct an operation where you don’t need an airfield. You just insert them by parachuting. And this is why, still, paratroopers have high value for NATO,” said Major General Dirk Faust, German Army.