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 Master Sgt. George Roach
Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen support Iron Keystone 2024 with the MQ-9 aircraft and simulated combatant arms training
111th Attack Wing
June 9, 2024 | 4:27
Air Guardsmen from across Pennsylvania deployed for training to Ft. Drum, NY for Iron Keystone 2024. Utilizing most of the three wing's assets within the state and several of their aircraft to include the MQ-9 remotely-piloted aircraft, airman responded to several exercise scenarios to test their agile combat proficiencies.

Iron Keystone is an integrated large-scale exercise involving the Pennsylvania Air National Guard (PAANG) intended to increase tactical proficiency, develop a baseline knowledge in dissimilar operations, and combine capabilities and resources across three major commands to maximize operational success on the modern battlefield.

B-Roll includes MQ-9 ground footage at Ft. Drum NY.
Simulated close quarter combat drill day and night footage.

Interview 1: Major Owen Margeson, 148th Air Support Operation Squadron.
Interview 2: Tech. Sgt. Robert Custer, 111th Attack Wing, Security Forces
Interview 3. Staff Sgt. Christopher Kolosinsky, 111th Attack Wing, Security Forces
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.