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 Sgt. Duke Edwards
Leading the Charge: 2025 Lacerda Cup
3rd Infantry Division
April 11, 2025 | 4:37
Spc. Quinton Jones, a signal operations support specialist assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, discusses his experience during Lacerda Cup at Freedom Hall on Fort Benning, Georgia, April 8, 2025. The Modern Army Combatives Program builds mental and physical toughness and enhances unit combat readiness by training Soldiers in close quarters combatives, instilling the warrior ethos and preparing Soldiers to close with and destroy the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Duke Edwards)
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  • Immediate Response

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  • Saber Guardian

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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.