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 Pfc. Sean Hoch
76th Engineer Company emplaces signs for NMNDA along the southern border
DoD Southern Border 2025
May 27, 2025 | 0:40
U.S. Soldiers, assigned to76th Engineer Company, with Joint Task Force–Southern Border, place signs to mark the New Mexico National Defense Area (NMNDA) at Sunland Park, New Mexico, May 21, 2025. U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) service members have been delegated the authority and directed to conduct installation security support operations in the NMNDA. Under the direction of USNORTHCOM, Joint Task Force–Southern Border aligns efforts to seal the southern border and repel illegal activity and is responsible for full-scale, agile, and all-domain operations, which will allow for more effective and efficient DoD operations. (U.S. Army video by Pfc. Sean Hoch)
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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.