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. Sean Hoch
4th Infantry Div. Soldiers Conduct Air Assault Operations at Southern Border
DoD Southern Border 2025
May 16, 2025 | 2:29
U.S. Soldiers, assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Joint Task Force - Southern Border, conduct an air assault and observation mission supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection near Tucson, Ariz., May 12, 2025. The soldiers established observation posts to help identify and report unauthorized border crossings. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command, Joint Task Force - Southern Border aligns efforts to seal the southern border and repel illegal activity and is responsible for full-scale, agile, and all-domain operations, which will allow for more effective and efficient DoD operations. (U.S. Army video by Pfc. Sean Hoch)
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Redirecting...
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    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.