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 Petty Officer 3rd Class William Bennett IV
SECNAV Exonerates Sailors Charged in Port Chicago Disaster
Office of the Secretary of the Navy
July 17, 2024 | 3:35
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 17, 2024) Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro signs two different orders, one for the General Courts Martial and one for the Summary Courts Martial, to set aside all 256 Sailors convicted as part of the Port Chicago incident July 17, 2024. On the evening of July 17, 1944, munitions being loaded onto cargo vessel Steam Ship E.A. Bryan detonated, killing 320 Sailors and civilians, and injuring an additional 390. Most of the fallen were African American men, many of their bodies unrecognizable because of the explosion Surviving Sailors, traumatized by the blast, unsafe working conditions, lack of training, and fearful for their lives, refused to continue loading munitions under said conditions. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist William Bennett IV)
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.