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 Spc. Armani Wilson
Iowa Army National Guard Conducts Training with Advanced Small UAS at Camp Dodge
Joint Force Headquarters - Iowa National Guard
May 26, 2025 | 1:16
Soldiers assigned to Company D, 224th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard, conduct training on a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) at Camp Dodge Training Center in Johnston, Iowa, April 16, 2025. The system, equipped with thermal imaging and low-light sensors, provides real-time reconnaissance and target identification to enhance unit awareness and decision-making during short-range operations in dynamic environments. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Armani Wilson and Staff Sgt. Annalise Guckenberger)
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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.