File:Soldiers in the field during Defender Europe - Saber Guardian attend rare traditional Catholic Mass.jpg

English: Bishop Bill Muhm, auxiliary bishop for the Arch Dioecies of Military Services Europe and Asia reads from a bible held by Father Anthony Sabastian, a priest with the Bucharest and Constanza Arch Dioecies, during a Catholic Mass held for military members participating in DEFENDER 23, Slobozia, Romania, May 29, 2023. A traditional Catholic Mass is rare in field environments, this was a special occasion for the soldier’s who participated. DEFENDER 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led exercise focused on the strategic deployment of continental United States-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks, and interoperability with Allies and partners. Taking place from 22 April to 23 June, DEFENDER 23 demonstrates USAREUR-AF’s ability to aggregate U.S.-based combat power quickly in Eastern Europe, increase lethality of the NATO Alliance through long-distance fires, build unit readiness in a complex joint, multi-national environment, and leverage host nation capabilities to increase USAREUR-AF’s operational reach. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,800 U.S. and 15,000 multi-national service members from more than 20 nations who will participate including, but not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jaccob Hearn)