DEFENDER is the Army’s largest annual opportunity to exercise moving personnel and equipment into theater across modes for initial and follow-on operations critical to Large Scale Combat Operations. Led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of CONUS-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stock and follow-on exercises demonstrating lethality and interoperability with Allies and partners

DEFENDER 25 Outreach tour
DEFENDER 25 Infographic

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Video by Sgt. Chandler Coats
REEL: U.S. and Hellenic Army conduct joint air assault exercise in Greece during Immediate Response 25
U.S. Army Europe and Africa
June 9, 2025 | 0:31
U.S. and Hellenic Army soldiers execute a multinational air assault mission, disembarking a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, securing a landing zone, and assaulting the simulated enemy objective during exercise Immediate Response near Petrochori, Greece, June 4, 2025. Soldiers with Alpha Company, 1-102nd Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Connecticut Army National Guard, refined their ability to deploy with and operate alongside allied forces in contested environments. U.S. Army video footage captured by Sgt. Theodosius Santalov. Demonstrating global deterrence and the U.S. Army’s ability to rapidly deploy U.S.-based combat power in Europe alongside Allies and partners, DEFENDER 25 brings U.S. troops together with forces from 29 Allied and partner nations to build readiness through large-scale combat training from May 11-June 24, 2025. DEFENDER 25 increases the lethality of the NATO alliance through large-scale tactical training maneuvers and long-range fires, builds unit readiness in a complex joint, multinational environment and leverages host nation capabilities to increase the U.S. Army’s operational reach. During three large-scale combat training exercises—Swift Response, Immediate Response, and Saber Guardian—Ally and partner forces integrate and expand multi-domain operations capability, demonstrating combined command and control structures and readiness to respond to crisis and conflict. (U.S. Army video edited by Sgt. Chandler Coats)
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Redirecting...
  • Swift Response

    FinlandItalyLatviaLithuaniaNorwaySwedenSlovenia

  • Immediate Response

    AlbaniaBulgariaCroatiaGreeceKosovoMontenegroNorth MacedoniaSlovakia

  • Saber Guardian

    CzechiaGermanyHungaryRomaniaSlovakia

Press Information

enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.