The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo has announced that as part of DEFENDER 25, the largest annual U.S. Army exercise, approximately 180 personnel from the 28th Infantry Division of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard will be deployed to Kosovo to participate in Immediate Response 25, alongside the Kosovo Security Force (KSF).
In its statement, the embassy highlights that the exercise is a critical component of the U.S. Army’s efforts to enhance readiness, demonstrate strategic deployment capabilities, and reinforce cooperation with NATO allies and partners.
Scheduled from May 26 to June 9, Immediate Response 25 is one of the three main training events of DEFENDER 25 and involves more than 12,000 troops from the U.S., allies, and partner nations. Activities will span eight countries: Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovakia.
In Kosovo, the 28th Infantry Division and the KSF will participate as a division headquarters supervising a multinational brigade.
“This engagement supports the comprehensive transition plan of the KSF, advancing its evolution into a multi-ethnic, NATO-interoperable territorial defense force under civilian control,” the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo stated.
