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 Kaylee Wendt
Lake Lure: Clearing the Lakebed
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
June 9, 2025 | 1:09
Contractors, supported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are actively removing storm-deposited sediment from the lakebed at Lake Lure, North Carolina, June 4, 2025. Following significant sediment accumulation after Hurricane Helene, the water level was lowered to allow crews access to heavily impacted areas (U.S. Army video by Kaylee Wendt).
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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.