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. Kourtney Nunnery
U.S. Soldiers Conduct Tower Rappels during Air Assault School in Bulgaria
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
May 21, 2025 | 8:45
U.S. Soldiers rappel from a tower during phase 3 of Air Assault School at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, May 20, 2025. This is the final phase of the school preparing candidates for helicopter rappel. Schools like Air Assault train Soldiers on their lethality and war fighting capabilities while also keeping a focus on detail orientation, increasing readiness throughout the unit and keeping the fighting force lethal and mobile. (U.S. Army Video by Sgt. Kourtney Nunnery)

SHOT LIST:
00;00;00;00-00;03;019;00- SOLDIERS PREPARING AND RAPPELING DOWN TOWER

00;03;23;28-00;06;01;11- 2ND LT CLARK GRAY INTERVIEW ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE DOING THE RAPPEL COURSE.

00;06;10;23- 00;08;045;28- SPC KIMBERLY HOWARD INTERVIEW ON HER EXPERIENCE GOING THROUGH AIR ASSAULT SCHOOL.
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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.