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Video by Sgt. Theodosius Santalov

1-172nd Cavalry Regiment prepares for Spur Ride event during exercise Immediate Response 25

U.S. Army Europe and Africa

May 31, 2025 | 1:57

Soldiers with the 1-172nd Cavalry Regiment and 186th Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Vermont Army National Guard, review various skills in preparation for a spur ride event during exercise Immediate Response 25 in Greece, June 1, 2025. Spur rides are a right of passage for cavalry soldiers which tests their knowledge on skills necessary for their operations, earning them their spurs representing the soldiers’ commitment to excellence and dedication to their unit. Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe and the Arctic region alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Theodosius Santalov)