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 Scott Sturkol
CH-47 Chinook support for Army Reserve Best Squad action at Fort McCoy, Part 2
Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office
May 22, 2025 | 0:37
A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter with the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment of New Century, Kansas, supports an event May 15, 2025, at Big Sandy Lake on South Post at Fort McCoy, Wis., for the 2025 Army Reserve Best Squad competition. Hundreds of Soldiers participated in this competition. (U.S. Army Video by Scott T. Sturkol, Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office)
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.