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 Staff Sgt. Adam Meyer
B-Roll: Morocco, US special operations enhance lethality with squad automatic weapons qualification at African Lion 2025
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
May 23, 2025 | 0:45
Moroccan Special Operations forces and U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Utah National Guard, showcase lethality while qualifying at a squad automatic weapons range May 15, 2025, in Tifnit, Morocco, during African Lion 2025 (AL25). AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Adam Meyer)

(00:00:00) LONG SHOT: Moroccans huddle around 19th SFG Instructor
(00:00:06) MEDIUM SHOT: 19th SFG Instructor showing how to use M249
(00:00:15) CLOSE UP: 19th SFG Instructor functions checking M249
(00:00:21) CLOSE UP: Moroccan shooting M249
(00:00:28) MEDIUM SHOT: Moroccan shooting M249
(00:00:37) LONG SHOT: Target going down
More

Up Next

More Videos

What is happening where?

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.