WEBVTT 00:01.350 --> 00:03.440 Air Defender . 23 is the largest 00:03.450 --> 00:05.672 redeployment exercise in NATO history . 00:05.820 --> 00:08.250 Currently , 25 countries with aircraft 00:08.260 --> 00:11.590 from 42 states are participating . Air 00:11.600 --> 00:13.711 Defender . 23 is important because it 00:13.711 --> 00:15.933 allows us to work hand in hand with our 00:15.933 --> 00:17.433 NATO allies showcasing our 00:17.433 --> 00:19.760 interoperability and our collective 00:19.770 --> 00:22.180 defense capabilities . Additionally , 00:22.190 --> 00:24.412 it allows us to showcase our airmen and 00:24.412 --> 00:26.909 their tremendous skills . 23 is 00:26.920 --> 00:28.809 important to our airmen and their 00:28.809 --> 00:30.829 readiness because it allows them to 00:30.840 --> 00:32.951 practice their skills on a day to day 00:32.951 --> 00:34.560 basis . Traditionally , our 00:34.569 --> 00:36.669 international guardsmen only operate 00:36.689 --> 00:38.856 one week in a month , two weeks out of 00:38.856 --> 00:41.229 the year and on various exercises in a 00:41.240 --> 00:43.560 sustained environment such as this , we 00:43.569 --> 00:46.520 are able to execute those skills in a 00:46.529 --> 00:47.400 high tempo .