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 Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor
U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force prepare for exercise Freedom Flag 25-1
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
April 23, 2025 | 3:26
U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron, from Osan Air Base, conduct flight operations at Gwangju Air Base, South Korea, in preparation for exercise Freedom Flag 25-1, April 17, 2025. VMFA-214, an F-35B squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, deployed to augment MAG-12, 1st MAW under the Unit Deployment Program, which provides U.S.-based units with operational experience in the Indo-Pacific. FF25-1 is a military exercise between U.S. and Republic of Korea air forces designed to enhance readiness through realistic, complex, training scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps video Lance Cpl. Micah Taylor)
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.