From the Flight Line to the Front Lines: How the USO Provided End-to-End Support to Service Members During Defender 2025

By Barry Morris

As the sun peeked through the North Carolina pines, soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division – also known as the Panther Brigade – gathered their gear and prepared for their next mission. Among them was U.S. Army Sgt. John Turkalj, a reconnaissance team leader, who stood proud and focused as he and his team prepared to deploy out of Fort Bragg in support of Defender 2025, the Army’s largest annual deployment in Europe.

John, a devoted husband and proud father of two, faced the bittersweet moment of departure with a brave smile.

“It is tough for sure, but at the end of the day, I’ve got another family here, the guys I work with,” he explained with heartfelt resolve.

His words captured the universal experience of military life: sacrificing moments at home to serve a greater cause, with the prospect of returning to the warmth of your loved ones always front of mind as you carry out your mission.

The people serving in the Panther Brigade embody the spirit of America’s airborne infantry. As John outlined the mission that he and his team would be undertaking during this training exercise in Europe, he shared both his excitement and his commitment to his solemn duty as a member of our Armed Forces.

“I’m in charge of a recon team, so we’re actually going to be some of the first guys out,” he said proudly.

As the largest annual U.S. Army deployment in Europe, Defender 2025 is more than just a months-long training exercise. It is an opportunity for thousands of U.S. and allied service members to join together and prepare possible warfare scenarios in the European theatre.

John and his team were tasked with linking up with a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SF ODA) – often referred to as an “A Team” – and conducting vital route reconnaissance as a critical step in a larger, dynamic operation, where every moment counted. Amid the uncertainty that comes with fast-paced, high-risk training, John’s reflection was simple yet powerful: “It’s very rewarding.”

For John and his team, the USO has been a steadfast companion through the rigors of military travel.

“I’ve been making good use of the USO for years,” John said, recalling the comfort and sustenance provided during long layovers at various East Coast airports. At Fort Bragg, that support continues. The USO’s full-cycle deployment services, ranging from providing nourishing meals to offering a friendly place to relax and recharge, serve as a crucial pillar for soldiers on the move. As one of his battalion’s servicemen put it, the USO isn’t just a temporary stop; it’s part of a larger family that stands by our military every step of the way.

Defender 2025 and other mobilizations like it can be demanding – deployed for months on-end, service members must undertake rigorous exercises that test their physical and mental fortitude, while coordinating with allies and utilizing equipment out in the field. From airborne jumps and to water crossings, to simulated medical emergencies and artillery training, these are high-pressure exercises that require focus and strength.

That is why, in the face of challenging deployments such as these, the USO steps up to provide crucial support to the people who serve. From the flight line as John and his teammates prepare to deploy, to their arrival in Europe, to the bases where they are undertaking these exercises, the USO has provided a morale boost to these deployed service members through USO Care Packages, snacks and a connection to home through the USO Reading Program.

With a mission that demands not only tactical precision but also the courage to embrace the unknown, the Panther Brigade departed North Carolina, fortified by the knowledge that they were part of something bigger than themselves. From their rigorous preparations at Fort Bragg to the support of the USO at their departure and in-theatre, these service members could rest easy in the knowledge that as they carried out their missions, the USO would be there through every step of their journey.

“[The USO has] always helped me out, and I know a bunch of my guys as well,” said John. It was a statement that resonated like a promise – a promise that, no matter where their mission leads, their community, the USO and their supporters will always be there to back them up.

As Defender 2025 came to a close last month, the journey of Sgt. John Turkalj and the Panther Brigade reminds us that in the crucible of duty, every act of support, every reassuring smile from a USO volunteer, every USO Care Package and every heartfelt goodbye strengthens the spirit of our military’s service members. In every deployment, the USO stands as a beacon of unwavering care, ensuring that the people who serve continue to embody the valor and resilience that defines them.