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
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Video by Antonio Bedin
DEFENDER 2025 - Port of Kavala, Greece
Training Support Activity Europe
May 7, 2025 | 1:48
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael S. Harrell, commander of the 839th Transportation Battalion, speaks about 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s deployment at the port of Kavala, Greece, April 29, 2025.
Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness, also known as DEFENDER, is the largest annual U.S. Army security cooperation and exercise in Europe. DEFENDER 25 includes nearly 12,000 U.S. and 13,000 Allied and partner service members from 29 other nations, including Greece. DEFENDER 25 marks the first-time deployment of U.S. Army forces through the Port of Kavala, Greece, to include reception, staging, and onward movement (RSOM) throughout Czechia. DEFENDER 25 is the deployment of U.S. forces into a series of exercises designed to demonstrate the ability of the U.S. Army to respond and sustain operations of continental-based divisions, enablers, and joint forces and rehearse the integration of U.S. troops with NATO allies and partners for large scale combat operations from the High North to Mediterranean and Black Sea regions.
(U.S. Army video by Antonio Bedin)
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enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.