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German host nation MWR provides recreation for Air Defender 2023 Service Members

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Samara Underwood
  • 127th Wing Public Affairs
KROPP, Germany --  

German-led Air Defender 2023 is a multinational exercise demonstrating the allied ability to protect the population and safeguard freedom and democracy. Air Defender 2023 is a robust multinational operation and collaboration with allies, making this the largest NATO exercise since NATO’s foundation.
 
So, with more than 2000 participating military members, what should service members do in their free time? 

Germany’s Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation office has provided activities for service members, including soccer, golf, water skiing, canoe tours, museum visits, and more.  

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sarah Adams of the 127th Force Support Squadron is the lead MWR representative for AD 2023, and is impressed with how our German counterparts have planned for this exercise. 

"There are many activities to participate in during the downtime," said Adams. " Our German brothers in arms have planned well to ensure our service members have what they need for a good time to get the most out of their down time." 

Exercise AD23 provides guard members the opportunity to work alongside partner militaries to bolster capabilities, improve interoperability and enhance their international relationships.

“It has been great working side-by-side with our German friends for this multinational MWR effort,”  said 1st Lt.David Prylo. “Our German counterparts handled a lot of the set-up and infrastructure coordination, and our 127th Services team was able to come in and seamlessly start working with the Germans to operate the MWR functions and services,” said Prylo. 

With more than three months of planning and negotiating with the external organizations, the German government chief secretaries Anya and Claudia both are civilians who work on the Immelmann base, were able to plan for the leisure activities for Air Defender 2023  participants. “It is an honor to be able to provide MWR activities for the American servicemen,” said Anya. 

German soldier, Captain Max, head of sports for AD23, said, “Being able to provide MWR experiences for the serviceman is a great opportunity to connect with people, not only on the military side but on a personal level as well,” he said. “Sports is a way to get to  learn the culture and build relationships.”