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 Lance Cpl. Isaac De Leon
MCAS Iwakuni Aircraft Salvage Recovery
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
June 25, 2025 | 1:39
U.S. Marines with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, U.S. Airmen from Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Japan Air Self-Defense Force members with 5th and 6th Air Wing, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force members from Fleet Air Wing 31, Royal Air Force airmen with Joint Aircraft Recovery Transportation Squadron, and Luftwaffe (German air force) personnel with German Air Force Command 4 II and Air Force Troop Command Support Wing 2 hosted crash damaged disabled aircraft recovery training at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, June 5, 2025. CDDAR is an annual training event conducted in coordination with the Joint Program Office for the F-35 program to enable foreign, multi-agency partners to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures and rescue techniques, further enhancing capabilities across countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Isaac De Leon)
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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.