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. Gabriel Antwiler
III MEF EOTG fast-rope into forest
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
March 21, 2025 | 1:35
U.S. Marines with Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force fast-rope out of an MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing onto Landing Zone Starling, Okinawa, Japan, March 19, 2025. EOTG practiced fast-roping to descend into a wooded area which allowed Marines to deploy in areas that an aircraft cannot touch down. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Gabriel Antwiler)
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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.