Department-Level Exercise (DLE) Series

Through this series, the Department of the Air Force is preparing to be a stronger, more lethal deterrent force, to provide an advantage against competitors and adversaries across all domains, and to ensure regional stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

The DLE series will incorporate multiple command exercises into one overall threat deterrence scenario, including Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC), Resolute Space, Mobility Guardian, Emerald Warrior and Bamboo Eagle 25-3.

It will also integrate multiple allies and partners in specific component exercises with shared interests. Partner integration is critical to U.S. efforts to ensure regional and global peace and stability and provides a decisive advantage against complex threats.

“King of the Herd” Paratroopers Sharpen Fires Readiness During Exercise Junction City

173rd Airborne Brigade

Video by Sgt. C Jay Spence

Oct. 23, 2025 | 1:15

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, conducted Exercise Junction City in Krivolak Training Area, North Macedonia, October 2025. The training tested “King of the Herd” artillerymen in live-fire proficiency, fire direction operations, and rapid deployment tasks. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains with NATO allies and partners to strengthen interoperability and readiness. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. C Jay Spence) More