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 Olivia Marino
Europe Report May 16
Regional Media Center AFN Europe
May 24, 2025 | 2:00
On this AFN Europe Report:

U.S. service members with the three Europe-based military bands, joined forces with NATO ally and partner bands at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team won the Gainey Cup Best Scout Squad Competition against 18 teams from across the U.S. and five allied nations in a series of physically and technically demanding events at Fort Benning, Georgia.

(U.S. Air Force video by A1C Olivia Marino)
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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.