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 Maj. Wayne Clyne
Salem Aviation Unit Welcomed Home After Border Security Duty
Oregon National Guard Public Affairs Office
Jan. 19, 2024 | 4:31
Soldiers from Detachment 1, A Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard held a demobilization ceremony Jan. 19, 2024, at Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Salem, Oregon. The unit recently returned from a year long deployment supporting border security operations in Texas.

During the deployment, the detachment conducted 385 missions under day and night vision goggle conditions, accumulating over 1825 flight hours patrolling the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo sectors. The ceremony marked the official end of their border mission and transition back home for the Soldiers. Attending were families eager to welcome them back after the challenging deployment.

Interview with Detachment Commander Cpt. Steven Gundlach.
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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.