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 Sgt. Kevin Dunnaway
V-1: Unconditional surrender of Germany
AFN Wiesbaden
May 20, 2025 | 0:15
German General Alfred Jodl signs an unconditional surrender to the Western Allies in a red brick schoolhouse in Reims, France, May 7, 1945. This brief instrument of unconditional military surrender was followed by a formal signing of the definitive Act of Military Surrender in Berlin two days later that included Soviet military leadership and required German service members to disarm themselves, disband, and enter captivity. (U.S. Army video edited by Sgt. Kevin Dunnaway. Footage and Winston Churchill audio courtesy of the U.S. National Archives.)
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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.