Story by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah, SOCEUR.
Green Berets with U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) trained alongside NATO Allies during Swift Response 25, a sub-exercise of DEFENDER 25, held in Pabrade and other locations, May 8–18.
A key feature of this year’s exercise was the use of space and cyber capabilities in support of special operations behind simulated enemy lines. Green Berets and Allied special operations forces executed coordinated actions that enabled real-time detection, tracking, identification, and neutralization of a notional biological threat.
The integration of special operations forces with cyber and space capabilities represents a critical step forward in countering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. By combining SOF’s ability to operate deep in contested areas with the reach and precision of the cyber effects, the U.S. and NATO can reduce an adversary’s capacity to function and deny them the strategic benefits of employing CBRN weapons.
“On the modern battlefield, and here at Swift Response 25, U.S. Special Forces are leveraging their ability to penetrate deep behind enemy lines to facilitate space and cyber warfare to reduce critical enemy capabilities,” said Sgt. Maj. Sean Sarokas, company sergeant major with 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
Swift Response participants included host nations Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, and Finland. The exercise focused on the rapid deployment of forces to strengthen key capabilities and improve operational integration. Training scenarios included simulated raids, ambushes, and joint maneuvers designed to test both conventional and unconventional tactics.
Swift Response 25 is one of three sub-exercises of DEFENDER 25, the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe. Roughly 4,000 U.S. forces and 2,000 Allies and partners participated in Swift Response 25. Allied and partner forces behind enemy lines is a core strength of U.S. Special Forces. Training alongside Allied and partner forces ensures everyone is ready, technically and tactically, when real-world missions arise according to a 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) captain.
Exercises like Swift Response are a visible example of U.S. and NATO forces’ ability to forward position themselves together in a joint operating environment. The exercise allowed U.S. and Allied forces an opportunity to operate together and enhance NATO deterrence and readiness. “It is great for NATO forces to get together and bring all that [training] together inone cohesive picture,” said a 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) captain. “We share tactics, techniques, and the standard operating procedures in order to work more cohesively together.”
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This article by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah, Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), was first published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) on May 30, 2025.
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/499303/us-special-operations-forces-nato-allies-advance-cyber-and-space-capabilities-swift-response-25
Image: A Green Beret with the U.S. Army 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and two Italian special operations forces soldiers secure a vehicle while conducting a simulated ambush during Swift Response 25 in Pabrade, Lithuania, May 12, 2025. Swift Response 25 is a multinational sub-exercise of DEFENDER 25 that emphasizes the collaborative work among U.S. forces and NATO Allies and their ability to rapidly deploy to combat current and future threats. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah)