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 Robert Harnden
Region VII Best Warrior Winners Train for Close Quarters Combat
Utah National Guard Public Affairs
June 25, 2025 | 2:44
Sgt. Luke Cloward, 2025 Army National Guard Region VII Best NCO, and Sgt. Michael Fouts, 2025 Army National Guard Soldier of the Year, conduct close quarters combat training at Camp Williams, Utah June 24, 2025. Cloward, an 88M Truck Driver assigned to 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah Army National Guard and Fouts, an 11B Infantryman assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Arizona Army National Guard, will represent Region VII at the National Best Warrior Competition in Maryland in July. (Utah Army National Guard video by Rob Harnden)
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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.