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

Videos
Video by Staff Sgt. Osvaldo Martinez
10th Mountain Soldiers conduct 2025 D-Series Competition
10th Mountain Division
March 21, 2025 | 1:38
10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers participate in the weapons event during the 2025 D-Series competition at Fort Drum, New York, Feb. 12, 2025. Soldiers were required to dismantle and reassemble different weapon systems to standard while being timed. The 10th Mountain Division (LI) commemorates the hardships and trials the original 10th Mountain Soldiers endured prepare for combat by hosting annual winter competition. The name "D-Series" refers to the culminating winter training event that Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division went through in March-April 1944, to prepare for combat in the mountains of Italy.
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Press Information

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