Meet Spc. Jack Bonarigo, an indirect fire infantryman with 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, 77th Troop Brigade, West Virginia National Guard in Bluefield, West Virginia. Bonarigo poses for a portrait at Libava, Czechia, in support of Immediate Response 24, May 10, 2024.
“I always wanted to be in the Army and be an infantryman. I am thankful for being out of the country for the first time with the Army. I have enjoyed working with the Czech Army and seeing the differences in our mortar procedures. This is great preparation if we have to deploy.”
During Immediate Response 24, Bonarigo’s unit conducted live fire range operations with Czech soldiers.
DEFENDER is a Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, and is a U.S. European Command scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted exercise that consists of Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response. DEFENDER 24 is linked to NATO’s Steadfast Defender exercise, and DoD’s Large Scale Global Exercise, taking place from 28 March to 31 May. DEFENDER 24 is the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe and includes more than 17,000 U.S. and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 Allied and partner nations, including Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Reed)
![Meet your Defender: Spc. Jack Bonarigo]()
