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 Airman 1st Class Monique Stober
Norwegian Foot March- 2025 Broll
6th Air Refueling Wing
April 30, 2025 | 2:21
U.S. service members participate in an annual Norwegian Foot March at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, April 24, 2025. The march, also known as the Marsjmerket, is a military endurance test originating in 1915, designed to assess the stamina of Norwegian soldiers. It involves an 18.6-mile ruck march, typically completed in under 4.5 hours, carrying a 25-pound rucksack in uniform and boots. The march serves as a test of strength and endurance and a foreign service badge is earned by completing it to standard. More than 200 service members from MacDill competed to earn the Norwegian Armed Forces Skill Badge. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Monique Stober)
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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.