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. Blake Essex
Interview: Staying connected—Radio communications at Tantan for African Lion 25
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
May 19, 2025 | 2:53
U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Ahmad Araj, a radio transmission operator and native of Dingmans Ferry, Penn., assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, maintains radios at Tan Tan, Morocco, during African Lion 2025, (AL25) May 14, 2025. Araj discusses his role at the exercise, working alongside multinational partners to increase joint force readiness for future operations. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Interview by Staff Sgt. Blake Essex)
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.