(From left) Spc. Vivian Hobbs, a medical laboratory

(From left) Spc. Vivian Hobbs, a medical laboratory specialist with the 557th 557th Medical Company Area Support, 30th Medical Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, watches Spc. Dustin Long, also a medical laboratory specialist with the 557th MCAS, conduct a blood smear during Operation Courageous Defense, a collective training exercise designed to showcase integrated medical operations in the European theater, March 5. As part of their preparations for DEFENDER-Europe 20, a theater-wide exercise with the largest deployment of U.S.-based forces to Europe in more than 25 years. Army doctors, nurses and medics are testing their critical skills, medical readiness, and abilities to conduct expeditionary and support operations.