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 Ismael Ortega
U.S. Air Force - Pacer Forge, Security & TCCC B-Roll
502nd Air Base Wing
May 16, 2025 | 2:39
U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training trainees participate in a 57-hour simulated deployment field training exercise as part of U.S. Air Force BMT on April 17, 2025, at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Annex, San Antonio, Texas. The Primary Agile Combat Employment Range Forward Operations Readiness Generation Exercise (PACER FORGE) aims to provide trainees with skills that will familiarize them with possible future deployments and combat scenarios. PACER FORGE occurs twice weekly with an average of 900 trainees participating, and serves as the standard field training capstone experience for every U.S. Air Force and Space Force trainee during their sixth week of training prior to graduation. (U.S. Air Force video by Ismael Ortega)
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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.