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. Frederick Brown
Meet the JTF-CS IST Team: Chief of Plans and Medical Operations Lt. Col. Daniel Townsend
Joint Task Force Civil Support
April 25, 2023 | 0:45
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Townsend, Joint Task Force Civil Support Chief of Plans and Medical Operations, discusses why he entered the medical field. Townsend’s passion for helping others carries over to his role on the Incident Support Team (IST) with JTF-CS during Exercise Vibrant Response 23. JTF-CS operates several small teams prepared to provide command and control to military units responding to CBRN and all hazards defense support of civil authorities. This flexible construct allows JTF-CS to respond to multiple catastrophic incidents concurrently. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Frederick A. Brown)
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What is happening where?

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.