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. Salvador Castro
4-31 “Polar Bears” Execute Air Assault Operation for Mountain Peak 25-01
27th Public Affairs Detachment
May 12, 2025 | 2:14
Soldiers with 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), execute an air assault operation during the joint forcible entry operation for Mountain Peak 25-01 at Division Hill, on Fort Drum, New York, May 10, 2025. Joint forcible entry operations are fast-paced air and ground assaults designed to rapidly insert forces into critical areas to seize and hold key terrain. The scenario provides 2nd BCT Soldiers with realistic, home-station training in large-scale combat operations as they prepare for an upcoming rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, later this summer. (U.S. Army Video by Sgt. Salvador Castro)
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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.