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
Playlist:
Video by Pfc. Gavin Kulczewski
VMA-231 Final Flight Ceremony
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
May 29, 2025 | 5:45
U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing conduct a ceremony for Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231's final AV-8B Harrier II flight at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 29, 2025. VMA-231 conducted a ceremony for its last Harrier flight before its deactivation in September. In 2026 the squadron will reactivate as Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231 and will prepare to operate the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
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AV-8B HarrierDeactivation Ceremonyfinal flightVMA 231USMC Newsceremony
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Up Next

22nd MEU(SOC) | AV-8B Harriers Execute Alternative Landings During COMPTUEX
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1:37
22nd MEU(SOC) | AV-8B Harriers Execute Alternative Landings During COMPTUEX
22nd MEU(SOC) Harrier Operations
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1:34
22nd MEU(SOC) Harrier Operations
AV-8B Harrier Lands its Last Flight
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1:33
AV-8B Harrier Lands its Last Flight
U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation visits VMA-223 and flies in a TAV-8B Harrier II jet
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7:13
U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation visits VMA-223 and flies in a TAV-8B Harrier II jet
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VMA-231 Final Flight Ceremony
VMA-231 Final Flight Ceremony
Flight Operations Onboard USS Iwo Jima
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1:07
Flight Operations Onboard USS Iwo Jima
22nd MEU | Night Flight Operations Aboard USS Iwo Jima
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3:45
22nd MEU | Night Flight Operations Aboard USS Iwo Jima
USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Night-Time Flight Operations
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2:04
USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Night-Time Flight Operations
Flight Operations Onboard USS Iwo Jima
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1:12
Flight Operations Onboard USS Iwo Jima
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 conduct maintenance on the AV-8B Harrier II
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1:59
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 conduct maintenance on the AV-8B Harrier II
Marine Attack Squadron 231 Flight Line Interviews
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8:18
Marine Attack Squadron 231 Flight Line Interviews
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Interviews Pt.2
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10:42
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Interviews Pt.2
Marine Corps AV-8B II Harrier Pilot Major Robert Weede Interview
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17:31
Marine Corps AV-8B II Harrier Pilot Major Robert Weede Interview
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Joshua Murray Interview
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7:13
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Joshua Murray Interview
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Aaron Meeks Interview
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10:17
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Aaron Meeks Interview
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Interviews Pt.1
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13:09
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Interviews Pt.1
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Joshua Gull Interview
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8:32
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Joshua Gull Interview
Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231 tow AV-8B Harrier II to Pima Air and Space Museum B-Roll
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10:37
Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231 tow AV-8B Harrier II to Pima Air and Space Museum B-Roll
Marine Attack Squadron 231 AV-8B Harrier II Demilitarization B-Roll Pt.1
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6:34
Marine Attack Squadron 231 AV-8B Harrier II Demilitarization B-Roll Pt.1
U.S. Marine Corps JTACs with MAWTS-1 work with VMA-231 at NAF El Centro, California
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2:14
U.S. Marine Corps JTACs with MAWTS-1 work with VMA-231 at NAF El Centro, California
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 conduct pre-flight inspections at NAF El Centro
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3:07
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 conduct pre-flight inspections at NAF El Centro
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 performs pre-flight checks at NAF El Centro
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2:04
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 performs pre-flight checks at NAF El Centro
U.S. Marine Corps pilots conduct training exercise near NAF El Centro
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2:10
U.S. Marine Corps pilots conduct training exercise near NAF El Centro
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 conducting flight operations at NAF El Centro (Slow Motion)
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2:06
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 conducting flight operations at NAF El Centro (Slow Motion)
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 conduct flight operations at NAF El Centro
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1:14
U.S. Marines with VMA-231 conduct flight operations at NAF El Centro
U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers with VMA-231 arrive at Naval Air Facility El Centro (B-Roll)
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1:39
U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers with VMA-231 arrive at Naval Air Facility El Centro (B-Roll)
AV-8B Harriers Take Off
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0:16
AV-8B Harriers Take Off
AV-8B Harriers Take Off
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0:59
AV-8B Harriers Take Off
AV-8B Harriers Take Off
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0:32
AV-8B Harriers Take Off
24th MEU Conducts Flight Operations Aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1)
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2:25
24th MEU Conducts Flight Operations Aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1)
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Defender News

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