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 Senior Airman Hussein Enaya
Air Commandos reflect on the history of the MC-130P Combat Shadow
1st Special Operations Wing
Oct. 2, 2024 | 4:53
U.S. Air Commandos reflect on the history of the MC-130P Combat Shadow, its mission and their personal connection with the aircraft.
The final two Air Force Combat Shadows completed their last landing at Hurlburt Field in front of more than 400 spectators during an MC-130P heritage flight on May 15, 2015.
Built with 1960s technology, the Combat Shadow began its special operations career in the mid-1980s and went on to conduct critical air refueling missions in the late 1980s during Operation Just Cause in Panama, in the early 1990s during Operation Desert Storm and eventually in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Hussein Enaya)
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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.