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Freedom Shield

An exercise set to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations – a combined, joint, all-domain, and interagency operating environment. This annual exercise aims to build understanding between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance Alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats. It will feature live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, engaging personnel from the various military services.

Videos
Video by Capt. Jennifer French, Sgt. C Jay Spence
Reel: 173rd Airborne Brigade Trains Drone Operators at Grafenwoehr
173rd Airborne Brigade
March 24, 2025 | 0:20
In a world where paratroopers fall from the sky, one platoon is flipping the script. Forget parachutes. This time, they're learning to fly a little differently.

Led by Chief Andrew Topits, a UAS instructor with 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) , who’s leading the charge—one rotor at a time—throughout the year at Grafenwoehr Training Area. His mission? To make sure Sky Soldiers across every rank know how to operate Unmanned Aerial Systems, or UAS. Yes, that’s Army-speak for “drones.”

“The experience so far has been fantastic,” said Chief Topits, visibly pleased that his students are flying drones. “This has been our second course. Everyone is coming out here and crushing it thanks to our aptitude assessment that we’re running beforehand—making sure these new operators have the skills necessary to operate these systems.”

Unlike off-the-shelf hobby drones, the paratroopers aren’t simply handed a controller and told to “send it.” Instead, they’re building their own aircraft from the ground up. Wires, soldering, and screws.

“All of these drones, the students have built themselves. They put a lot of care and effort into building them,” Topits explained. “They take pride in their work. They’re not just out here flying them going crazy just to have a good time. They’re out here to get work done.”

That “work” includes everything from reconnaissance to supporting live-fire exercises—essential skills in a modern battlefield where eyes in the sky can mean the difference between success and failure.

Still, seeing paratroopers hunched over circuit boards instead of parachutes is a sight that takes some getting used to. As the Army continues to modernize its formations, initiatives like this ensure that the 173rd Airborne Brigade remains on the cutting edge—proof that even the most seasoned jumpers can learn a few new tricks.

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 alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.

Recording(s) "Fireborne" by Charlie Ryan (3:19)
Individual Youtube Creator / Podcaster
Clients No client or brand/company work
Distributions Standard Coverage - Web / Social Media (Up to 1 million subscribers), Podcast (Up to 10k monthly
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Monetization Included
License Date April 24, 2025

(U.S. Army video by Sgt. C Jay Spence; editing by Capt. Jennifer French)
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Press Information

Freedom Shield 25 successfully concludes

Press Release
Mar. 20, 2025

Freedom Shield 25 successfully concludes
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A combined assault force of U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations personnel conduct a direct action raid on a time sensitive target in an underground facility during a multiday training event associated with exercise Freedom Shield 25 at a training site located east of Seoul, on March 17, 2025. The training event served as a capstone to two-weeks of various training that maintained the combined readiness and lethality of U.S. and ROK special operators. The routine training enables a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region through a strong deterrent force. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Taylor Zacherl)

U.S. and ROK special operations forces conduct r...

News
Mar. 19, 2025

U.S. and ROK special operations forces conduct routine combined training during exercise Freedom Shield 2025
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Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, and the Acting President of the Republic of Korea, Sang-Mok Choi, take a group photo at Command Post Theater Air Naval Ground Operations, March 18. The acting-ROK President’s visit focused on discussing the importance and progress of Freedom Shield 2025 and the future of joint ROK-U.S. operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo, USFK Public Affairs)

ROK Acting President Choi Sang-Mok Visits CP TAN...

News
Mar. 18, 2025

ROK Acting President Choi Sang-Mok Visits CP TANGO During FS 25
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The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, U.S. Air Force, and the Republic of Korea Air Force train during Exercise Freedom Shield 25, a defense-oriented, annual exercise featuring live, virtual and field-based training that engages alliance forces and governmental agencies.

Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Na...

News
Mar. 15, 2025

Republic of Korea Air Force, US Air Force, US Navy Conduct F-35 Air Integration Training during Freedom Shield...
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F-35 Lightning IIs from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Republic of Korea Air Force flight in formation over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during integration training for Freedom Shield 25, March 13, 2025.

USAF, ROKAF and USN F-35s integrate during FS25

News
Mar. 14, 2025

USAF, ROKAF and USN F-35s integrate during FS25
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A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lighting II with the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, takes-off from Cheongju Air Base, Republic of Korea, March 12, 2025. The full-scale rehearsal of Republic of Korea Air Force and Seventh Air Force capabilities at the tactical and operational levels guarantees the strength of the combined air component to defend and defeat any threat to the Alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer)

USAF F-35s deploy to ROK for Freedom Shield 25

News
Mar. 13, 2025

USAF F-35s deploy to ROK for Freedom Shield 25
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Space Forces Korea launches into Freedom Shield 25

News
Mar. 12, 2025

Space Forces Korea launches into Freedom Shield 25
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Seventh Air Force begins air component operation...

News
Mar. 10, 2025

Seventh Air Force begins air component operations in Freedom Shield 25
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U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robert "Todd" Brown, 2nd Infantry Division, ROK-US Combined Division, deputy commanding general, learns the control interface of a commercial aquatic drone during Freedom Shield 25 at a training area near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, March 11, 2025. The demonstration showcases the capabilities of cutting-edge underwater vehicles to enhance operational readiness. Freedom Shield 2025 is a multi-domain military training program that integrates ground, air, naval, space and cyberspace elements, enhancing readiness through realistic combat situations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Kestner)

2ID engineers observe capabilities of underwater...

News
Mar. 11, 2025

2ID engineers observe capabilities of underwater drone for Freedom Shield 25
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ROK Soldiers assigned to the 5th Corps Engineering Brigade River Crossing Company and Soldiers assigned to the 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division ROK/U.S. Combined Division, complete construction on a joint bridge, during a combined wet gap crossing exercise, near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do from March 11-20, 2024. ROK and U.S. Army units utilized aviation, armor, air defense, chemical, biological and defense capabilities to train the security and protection of the site during the exercise that was designed to verify interoperability through the construction of a joint pontoon bridge. (U.S. Army photo by Pak, Chin-U)

Eighth Army begins annual exercise Freedom Shiel...

News
Mar. 10, 2025

Eighth Army begins annual exercise Freedom Shield 2025
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The Republic of Korea and United States announce...

Press Release
Mar. 06, 2025

The Republic of Korea and United States announce Freedom Shield 25 exercise
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COL Ryan Donald’s Joint US-ROK Press Conference ...

Press Release
Mar. 06, 2025

COL Ryan Donald’s Joint US-ROK Press Conference for Exercise Freedom Shield 25
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