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 Pfc. Richard Morgan
XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition Day Three: CH-47 Broll
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
April 22, 2025 | 1:57
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps take off on a CH-47 during the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Campbell, Ky., April 16, 2025. The Best Squad Competition tests squads’ physical, technical, and tactical abilities under stress and fatigue to determine which squad from the XVIII Airborne Corps will advance to the Forces Command Best Squad Competition in the coming months. (U.S. Army video by Pfc. Richard Morgan)
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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.