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 Senior Airman Matt Porter
Forging the ‘ethical warrior’ through martial arts
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
Jan. 31, 2025 | 1:50
U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 49 participate in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Jan. 3-16, 2025. MCMAP is a combat system that combines existing and new hand-to-hand and close quarters combat techniques with morale, team-building functions and instruction in the warrior ethos. The techniques used by MCMAP vary in degrees of lethality allowing members to qualify and master up to six disciplines through continuation in the program. (U.S. Air Force Video by Senior Airman Matt Porter)
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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.