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 Staff Sgt. Jorden Newbanks
NOREX52 Recap Video
Camp Ripley Training Center
June 3, 2025 | 4:39
Soldiers and Airmen from the Minnesota National Guard train with Soldiers from the Norwegian Home Guard Rapid Reaction Force for the 52nd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX) in February of 2025 at Camp Ripley Training Center near Little Falls, Minnesota. NOREX is an annual training event where Soldiers and Airmen from both forces fly overseas to their allied country and conduct winter survival and cold-weather operation training and cultural events with each other. The training at Camp Ripley included live fire winter M4A1 rifle and M17 pistol qualifications, land navigation, crew-served and anti-armor weapon simulations, simulated hand grenade training, aerial tours, situational tactical exercises, and more. (Minnesota Army National Guard Video by Army Staff Sgt. Jorden Newbanks).
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Redirecting...
  • Swift Response

    FinlandItalyLatviaLithuaniaNorwaySwedenSlovenia

  • Immediate Response

    AlbaniaBulgariaCroatiaGreeceKosovoMontenegroNorth MacedoniaSlovakia

  • Saber Guardian

    CzechiaGermanyHungaryRomaniaSlovakia

Press Information

enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.